Book Description

This concise, richly illustrated biography of the African elephant--from ancient Egypt to the most recent discoveries about elephant society and communication--is also a passionate plea to preserve the species.

The relationship between elephant and man has been dominated by brutality and persecution. Centuries of exportation, unabated hunting for ivory, and shrinking habitat have left only five countries in Africa with sizeable elephant herds. Corrupt governments and lawless poachers are currently flouting what little protection the elephant has.

What will be the African elephant's destiny? Will it soon be relegated to zoos and nature preserves? Martin Meredith lays out the history of this majestic animal from the Egyptian pharaohs' first ivory expeditions 2500 years ago to today, and explores the elephant's role in literature and popular culture. He shares recent extraordinary discoveries about the elephant's ability to communicate, its sophisticated family and community structure, and the ways--rare in the animal world--in which elephants show compassion and loyalty to each other. Meredith also illuminates how the legacy of colonialism in Africa--and unrelenting poverty, disease, and civil war--affects the elephant's fate. Can Africa find a way to preserve its most enduring symbol of freedom? Readers of national bestsellers including Silent Thunder, Elephant Memories, and When Elephants Weep will want to read this urgent, illuminating book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

PACHYDERMS ARE PRECIOUS...
This is a wonderful, well written, illustrated book about elephants and their role throughout history, as well as their present state in the world. I confess, I did not know much about elephants before reading this book. I now feel I know something about them, and what I have discovered is fascinating. I did not realize how complex and intelligent these magnificent creatures are, nor how dangerously close to extinction they have become. It would, indeed, be tragic were that to happen, for elephants are sociable, sentient, and intelligent.

The author takes the reader on a tour throughout history, describing the elephant's interaction with humanity and its role in the affairs of mankind and its impact on the environment. The book traces the influence of the elephant and the various uses to which mankind has put this great creature. From being used as a conveyance in times of war, to being paraded as an object of wonder and curiosity, to being hunted down mercilessly for its ivory tusks, the elephant has had a somewhat checkered history in terms of its interaction with human beings.

The author also carefully relates the elephant's own social structure, which is a sophisticated and complex one. Their mating rituals, their family life, and their handling of death are all addressed by the author, who paints a picture of a multi-faceted and remarkable society of elephants. It is only in the twentieth century that its complexity has begun to be understood by man. It is hoped that this is not a case of too little, too late.

Unfortunately for the elephant, however, its positive qualities have taken a backseat to its value as a commodity. Elephant tusks may eventually bring about the demise of the entire species, if the world does not take heed. A portion of this book is devoted to the ivory wars that have decimated the great elephant herds of Africa, turning elephants into an endangered species. Were elephants to be driven to extinction by pure, unadulterated greed, it truly would be tragic. This book effectively drives that point home.

The Romance of the Elephant
The subtitle is slightly misleading. This book is definitely a biography of the African elephant, but not from the point of view of the elephant, but of man's relationship with the African elephant. So note. This means that the science of the elephant is not the main thrust of this book, in fact, the biology, zoology, and ecology of the elephant is maybe a fourth of this book. So if you are looking solely for science, this book will disappoint you.

Bottom line first: If you are a fan of the elephant, or if this is your first book on the elephant, than this is a good book. If you know a lot about the science of the elephant, and want to know more about the culture of the elephant, this is a good start. Those wanting more science or more about the craft of ivory art, look else where.

Now, that is it, but read on for more details, if you like. This book is -rather- the history of man's relationship with the African elephant. It's quite romantic, tragic, and greedy at the same time. Meredith presents us with many facets of the elephant. From it's mythology in the ancient world, symbolizing both wisdom, and power. To the greed of the ivory trade which has happened several times in the past and has almost lead to the extinction of the elephant each time. There are plenty of color pictures showing the elephant as well as some nice illustrations peppered throughout the book.

So it starts right away with ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. And just how the elephants were used in these societies. Mostly for war, and for ivory. So, we see the history of elephant use in wars, from Alexanders first encounter with them, to Carthage's valiant attempt to overthrow Rome.

Meredith has almost captured the romance and the allure of Africa, from a colonial European viewpoint. Here, we are introduced to fabled lands of Punt, of Zanzibar. He even shows us the ties between the elephant and the Arabian nights. There are plenty of stories of the hunt, and of legendary hunters and their big adventures which included not only hunting elephants, but discovering such places as the source of the Nile.

There are some exciting passages of just how the elephant was hunted. From hunters that would to hang by an elephant tail, and bring it down, to spear hunters, to eventually gunmen.

Now, I say, from a colonial European viewpoint, because the ivory trade is intimately tied to both gold and slavery, and Meredith isn't shy to report these things too. The terrible greed is presented with some really vivid stories. One of them is about Arab merchants killing women's babeis to help the women better carry the ivory.

Throughout all the mayhem, Meredith shows the elephant as a very intelligent, gentle, and dare I say wise being. The stories are quite heartbreaking. Hunters doing mortal wound experiments finally notices the down elephant tearing, and puts it out of its misery. A calf cries in help after being stuck in a hunters trap. It's family tries to pull it out, but is scared away by hunters. Later, another troop comes, and the calf is adopted. Siblings knotting their tusks in intimate family bonding. In some ways, elephant families are more intimate than human ones.

Later chapters, present the science of the elephant. And since I'm a science fan, I found these chapters the most interesting. Meredith points out the differences between African savannah and forest elephants, and that of Indian elephants. He also writes about how elephants communicate, and their mating behaviors. But, by far the most interesting chapter in the entire book had to do with death. It is speculated that elephants 'know' of death, just as much as we do. They seem to grieve. They bury their dead. The look after the bones of their ancestors. In one story, an elephant breaks into a compound, retrieves the bones of a downed elephant, and places them back at the site where the downed elephant was shot.

Now let's get on with the negatives. Meredith focuses too much on the destruction of the elephant. Instead of having one chapter about how elephants were decimated by colonial europeans, we have several chapters each focusing on a particular region of Africa. And for each chapter, the story is much the same: an explorer finds a route into a region, a trade route is established, tusks, slaves, gold, rubber come out of the region.

It is a sad tale, and the story deserves it space, but I would rather they had focused on other things. For instance, he could have discussed more about the luxury of ivory. What makes it so alluring for people. We could have pictures of some of the items he talks about, like the chyrselephantine that are statues made of ivory and gold. With people more sympathetic to the elephant, it is hardly understandable today why anyone would want to kill an elephant to make a trinket.

Also, there are many questions unanswered that I wish Meredith will address in his next edition. What was man's pre-historical relationship with the elephant? Native Africans seemed to have lived with the elephant peacefully, it was the outsiders and ancient cultures that had a thirst for elephants. Meredith please speculate! Also, Elephants can have a powerful influence on the environment, turning jungles into savannahs. Could it be that the elephant had some influence on the expanding Sahara desert?

This is the biography of the African elephant, but I would have loved to have known the fate of Indian elephants. What about the species of elephants that lived on Greece which were only 3 feet high?

Finally, the illustrations, and pictures were a nice edition, but some key photos/drawings should be added to the next edition. In particular, is the comparison of the African savannah elephant to the African forest elephant to the Indian elephant, comparing the visible differences between these three species.

So, in summary, this book is a broad look at man's relationship with the African elephant. There are some parts that are too detailed, but Meredith overall does a fine job. He shows us just how atrocious, cruel, and mean Man's behavior has been, in stark contrast to the wise, compassionate, and graceful behavior of the Elephant. ... Read more

Book Description

Following the hugely successful Walking with Dinosaurs and Walking with Prehistoric Beasts, DK dives into the past to swim with prehistoric reptiles and mammals in Chased by Sea Monsters. Exploring the underwater world where he "encounters" amazing creatures, Nigel Marven presents a unique record of a lost world never revealed before now. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Providing a fine focus on evolutionary proceedings
This gorgeous presentation explores the prehistoric world in search of sea-based monsters and is published to coincide with the BBC program of the same name; but familiarity with the TV show is not required for a separate appreciation of this book. More than just another dinosaur guide, Chased By Sea Monsters focuses on life in ancient oceans during each prehistoric period, providing a fine focus on evolutionary proceedings.

Bigger, meaner and deadlier
Nothing, not the carnivorous dinosaurs of the past, nor the imagined sea serpents and monsters of maritime history, nor the great white shark, salt water crocodile, killer whale and leopard seal of today can compare to the horrifying hunters of the prehistoric oceans. You will feel a lot more comfortable about going out for a swim or an afternoon boat ride knowing that such behemoths are extinct today!

The Dunkleosteus is school bus-sized armored fish with razor sharp bladed jaws for cutting through anything in its path. The mighty Liopleurodon is a true monster, largest and most powerful of the Pliosaurs. The deadly Mosasaurs where the real sea serpents of their day, and some where large enough to dispatch an adult tyrannosaur easily. The Basilosaurus, the first of the large whale species, is not a harmless plankton eater but a fearsome high speed hunter. And most frightening of all is the Megalodon, a gargantuan ancestor of the great white that makes its modern day relative look like a tuna.

If you're a paleontology buff like me or a fan of BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs series, this book is for you. The digital designs of the monsters are excellent and very well realized. And the fun-loving Nigel Marvin provides a great narrative. My only question is when does the DVD of the series come out?

Another excellent book is Sea Dragons by Richard Ellis. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

You can't go without it.
This book, referred to by many other authors, is THE guide for this group of Mammals. I found it indispensible for use in the rainforest, even if most mammals are very hard to see. The perfect illustrations, combined with the thorough descriptions and clear distribution maps, make it easy to determine what kind of animal you've seen. Very helpful to understand the local guides are the translations of the names in many tongues.

It's a very practical and well illustrated fieldguide
It's the most usefull book I own related with the mammalfauna proyects ( inventories, education, management ) we are doing in Central and Western Colombia. Every aspect of the text and illustrations has proven to be very usefull and practical. The taxonomical descriptions are generaly good enough to clasify the bigger species in the field, and the habit and habitat descriptions coincide mostly with our own experiences. The distributionmaps included in the text are also very usefull. The illustrations are sometime a little small, but have proven to be easily recognized by the local habitants, what is extremely usefull during quick inventaries. The relation price-quality is outstanding

wonderful
Adorei este livro, à muito tempo não vejo um livro sobre mamíferos neotropicais com este. A primeira vez que o li foi na universidade onde eu estudo. Sou aluno de veterinária e pretendo trabalhar com animais silvestres, por isso gostaria de ter este livro. Gostaria de saber mais sobre trabalhos ou livros publicados por estes autores. Um abraço, Adriano Carneiro (Pernambuco- Brasil). ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the mammals of Central America, one of the most diverse and species-rich regions in the world. Generously illustrated with 48 full-color plates and many drawings, the book is designed for use both by amateur naturalists and professional biologists.The guide provides accounts for all mammals native to the land and surrounding waters of Central America and southeast Mexico. Detailed accounts include complete descriptions, measurements, range maps, and comparisons with similar species.The entire distribution, habitat, endangered status, and behaviors are also described, with sources of scientific references.For travelers to the region, a guide to the major parks and preserves is provided, with lists of the animals likely to found in each. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Absolutely the best mammals guide for the region
I had the opportunity to participate in a research project in Nicaragua. A local Nicaraguan university library allowed me to check out and use any field guide I wanted. Within days, all other field guides were permanently stowed in the bottom of my bag until I could return them to the university.

Having never been to the tropics before, I was still able to identify every bat I caught using mist nets with only the aid of this book (my local guides were unfamiliar with the bats).
This book will be your best piece of equipment if you plan to study mammals in Central America.

One of the first things I did when I returned home was order my own copy of this wonderful book.

A wonderful companion for both amateurs and pros
This field guide is a definitive yet handy guide that will surely be a classic of its type. It covers all the living species of native mammals from Mexico to Panama (including aquatic species such as whales and otters). For each species there is a careful description of its physical appearance along with notes on habitats, ranges (with maps) and behaviour, as well as other useful comments such as the best place to see a particular species, what the ground tracks look like and the status of threatened species. It is an absolute mine of fascinating information, much of it newly gathered or previously available only in obscure academic sources. There are excellent introductory sections on the main mammal groups, and good indexes and bibliographies -- in short , everything one needs to find and enjoy looking at mammals. But the most unique and useful feature (as well as the greatest delight -- and why this is a true classic), are the illustrations - hundreds of beautifully drawn colour plates painted from life (often in the most demanding of circumstances), that will allow you to settle important questions like "Is that a Woolly False Vampire Bat or a Great False Vampire Bat that just bit you" without flaming your travelling companions. (The book is especially strong on Bats.) Flying squirrels, monkeys, oppossums, sloths, deer mice, armadillos dolphins and skunks, they are all here. I would highly recommend this book both for amateurs and professionals (whether they are going to central america or not!). Every academic library should have a copy of it.

The care taken over detail throughout make the book both scientifically valuable and highly readable. It is a true labour of love - and just look at this quote from the author's preface! "Some species I painted while sitting in a truck, using the steering wheel as an easel, and some in a tent with a hadlamp at night, but most were done outside during the day, sitting on the ground or on a log. The white background of the plates suffered from a continuous onslaught of dust, sweat, and grime, and other indefinable debris. Carrying the plates throughout Central America involved some harrowing experiences, one of which was a short flight to Tortuguero in Costa Rica. The pilot had at length persuaded me to put my portfolio in the front baggage hold in the nose of the plane, and after we took off he realized that the door to this hold had come open. While the other four passengers agonized over the possibility of the plane going down if the luggage became tangled in the propellors, I was trying to follow our coordinates so I could search for my plates if they fell to the swampy ground below. Fortunately, we landed at a small airfield, corrected the problem, and lost nothing but peace of mind." ... Read more

Book Description

This outstanding book provides a thorough and up-to-date overview of the remarkable mammals of Madagascar`s diverse group of 117 species, over 100 of which are endemic to the island. The author offers clear information on all the Malagasy mammals, from the fascinating lemurs to the shrew-like tenrecs, and he discusses where to find and how to identify them. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fascinating fauna, beautiful photos
Malagasy mammals are truly an interesting read. They are unusual and interesting as an example of island radiation, but also because of recently extinct megafauna, and patterns of diversity. The lack of diversity--what is not found in madagascar--is perhaps equally curious as what is found there (fossa, lemurs, etc) due to hypotheses of how the fauna populated the island and when. The beautiful photos (as in the compelling blue-eyed lemur) make this a true guide to mammals as well as beautiful coffee-table display book.

At last! A field guide to Malagasy mammals!
This book will be a valued resource to those studying mammals, those working Madagascar, or even folks visiting Madagascar to enjoy the fauna. Prior to this volume, there was **no** comprehensive guide to mammals (in particular a paucity of information available on rodents). Garbutt has done a fantastic job of providing us with practical information and clear, useful photos/drawings. If we could all be so lucky to see the creatures featured in this book. Owning the book will have to suffice for many of us, epecially given the high risk of extinction for many of Madagascar's native mammals. Well worth the investment.

SO GREAT
This book is a super-mega reference book about all the mammals of Madagascar (the ones that people have discovered, that is). It has creatures in there I have NEVER heard of. The photos are pretty good and the written information is educational. Great for beginners learning about mammals of Madagascar.

Mammals of Madagascar
This is a very comprehensive book covering not only the lemurs but also the bats and so forth. There are maps to identify what part of Madagascar to find the animal.

Excellent book
This is an excellent book on some of the most fascinating mammals to be found anywhere in the world. There are many photographs and the quality is first class. If you are interested in lemurs, this is the book for you.

Indeed, the Mammals of Madagascar rivals a coffee table book in terms of the quality of the photography while at the same time including the kind of detailed information you would expect to find in a field guide. ... Read more

Book Description

Expelled from Botswana for writing Cry of the Kalahari, the Owenses set off across Africa. They settled in Zambia, where they soon found their peace shattered by the gunfire of elephant poachers. This is the story of the couple's battle to save the elephants and their own lives. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

EXCELLENT ADVENTURE!
I wish these authors would write more books about their adventures in Africa. Truly riveting page-turners!

Do not miss this wonderful book!
The Eye of the Elephant is a wonderful, adventurous journey into the heart and soul of Africa seen through Mark and Delia's eyes. From the very first page you are caught up in their heroic quests to protect the animals they are there to observe. In spite of the unbelievable odds against them, they persevered and put the safety and security of the highly endangered animals FIRST. The elephants in the Luanga Valley are very fortunate to have had Mark and Delia watch over them and be their heroes. I have loved Africa and the African elephant my entire life and I am so grateful for these two selfless, dedicated people who have become the protectors of our most precious wildlife. This is one of my most treasured African stories.

This Book Was Amazing
You will immediately be drawn into their story! I was so involved reading this book that I missed my train station stop...you'll feel like you're there with them!

Best book I've read all year
A second story of the Owens's exceptional experiences in the wildlife habitats of Africa.(The first book is Cry of the Kalahari.) The Eye of the Elephant is a warm and personal story of saving the endangered elephants of Zambia. The reader becomes as anxious for the survival of the Owens's as for the survival of the elephants, and the people of Africa. Eye opening to the problems encountered in doing something so nobel and obviously necessary. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

This is "the" book on deer for hunters, ranchers, and more!
What a thrill to see this book back in print. It's first edition was one of the Outdoor Life series and has given us the tools to understand one of North America's most majestic creatures. The life cycle, aging, growth patterns, habitat and environmental needs of the whitetail are explained in detail with the writer's storyteller style mixed in. This book can be understood and enjoyed by young and old, hunters and ranchers, nature lovers and anyone interested in learning more about one of the most unique animals on earth. ... Read more

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Reviews (4)

The lives of elephants revealed
This is a wonderful book. Cynthia Moss takes the reader deep into the intricate social lives of Africa elephans in Amboseli National Park (Kenya), and leaves a profound impression. How very sensitive these animals are, and how endearing. It is entirely clear how these creatures have suffered at the hands of humans, but also nobody can read this book and not feel the urge to conserve this fantastic species. Also it may inspire some to travel to Amboseli to see the elephants 'in person' - an experience that you will never forget!

Intriguing
This is an excellent book. At first, the book seems confusing as the author continuously refers to the individual elephants on a first name basis when one has no idea of who these "people" are. As the names become more familiar and the individual stories develop, the strange names develop into a wonderful, although at times anthropomorphic story on the natural history of these gentle animals. As she warns us, the author takes the liberty of adding unwitnessed, fictional pieces to most stories, which can be confusing and at times blur the objective observations that she makes with subjective, although probably real, assumptions.
But this book is not a hard core technical text, despite glimpses of it being so in the beginning. The book is about remembering the wonderful social and behavioral characteristics of individuals that make up a population. From matriarchs to lonely males, from birth to death during periods of drought or at the hands of Masai warriors, this book gives a comprehensive insight into relevant issues affecting the survival of the African elephant. The author comes across as a human being, with emotions that go beyond the hard-core science. Although her prose is dry at times, this book is very enjoyable and opens a magnificent window into the world of the Amboseli elephants.

Thorough and moving study of elephants!
This book covers thirteen years of Cynthia Moss' research on elephants at Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Several of the elephant families residing at Amboseli are featured in this book. Cynthia Moss learned to distinguish each individual elephant by such characteristics as the shape of their ears, ear markings or the size and shape of the tusks. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of elephant life like mating, draught etc. Together with fellow researcher Joyce Poole Cynthia Moss discovered that the bulls like their Asian cousins go into musth too (the period they are the most attractive to the cows). Thus a longstanding mystery was solved. But through it all shines Cynthia Moss' deep love for the elephants, she found with them so much to recommend. Learning from them. She certainly succeeds in sharing the joy of studying and living with elephants. I warmly recommend Ian and Oria Douglas-Hamilton and Joyce Poole's books too. Indeed Cynthia Moss has found new insights but this is still the book to read on elephants in the first place.

Great Historical View of Amboseli's Elephants...
Moss' "Elephant Memories" provides intimate detail of her experiences with Amboseli's elephant herd in the 1970's-early '80s. Some of the material is dated as she has since learned new truths and details of elephant behaviors since this book was first published. One example was the discussion of the twin calves: Equninox and Eclipse. Moss was wondering if these male and female calves would be free-martens like cattle twins and unable to reproduce. Well, since those early days, the female has since matured and has had a calf. So the free-marten theory was disproved. But it was interesting to ponder. Basically, the story follows the lives of four closely related family groups--the "T" familes. In her research, she names most of the family members in one family starting with the same letter. So most of the "T" family members names start with the letter "T". I found the book to be entertaining, an elephant saga, yet informative, also. Moss teaches yet inspires empathy for these magnificent creatures. The celebration of elephant births and sorrow of their deaths with the continuation of their daily hardships--drought, killings, hunger and human encroachment are discussed in easy to read detail. "Elephant Memories" is part elephant soap opera and part Moss' speculations regarding her dealings with these pachyderms. There are two separate inserts of photos--one section is in black and white, the other is in color. For anyone who follows Moss' books and videos, it is a must to read this book. It shows photos of elephant's when she first started taking their photos up to the 13 years she researched them before publishing the book. It is interesting to see the "before" and "after" pictures of some of the younger elephants who then grew up. "Elephant Memories" is a great read. I've gotten a lot of detail in my own quest for elephant information by reading this book. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Great Read..and even better information
The immense benefit of this book for the hiker or woodsman is obvious. Here you'll find examples of mistakes and misunderstandings which ineveitably led, as shown by McMillions' careful retrospective analysis, to serious maulings and fatalities. His discussion of the psychology of both bear and victim can enable much safer sojourns into the wilderness.

But the book isn't only for those most likely to encounter these magnificent animals. Even for those of us who live in the city, reading the book illustrates the great, atavistic fear which all of us might somehow carry in genetic memory. You need only experience the hair rising on the back of your neck as you read these accounts to understand how deep this feeling runs in all of us.

For myself, it took only a chance encounter with a paltry black bear rummaging around the trashcans outside my tent to bring this home. I spent the rest of the night trembling with unused adrenaline in my husbands arms.

Where did this fear come from? Someoplace I never knew existed, I assure you. But remember, one childhood psychology study I read said most children spontaneously begin to exhibit, at about the age of three, a deep, abiding fear of the dark woods.

Riveting and full of respect for grizzlies
This may not be the best book to take with you to read in bear country. Better: Read it at home before you leave and give it time to sink in. The real value of this book comes not in the gripping narrative of bear attacks all over the West and Alaska, although the graphic stories hold your attention like a vise, but in the respect it generates for perhaps the most respectable wild animal of our time. McMillion presents a point of view without clobbering the reader with it, so the considered reader can come away from the book not with a fear of grizzlies but with a healthy respect for them.

Imagine Having a Bear Tear Both Your Arms Off!!
As someone who's actually been on the receiving end of a bear charge I can say with some authority that this book is GARBAGE. In fact, it is emblematic of everything that is wrong with writing of this type: It pushes an agenda to the exclusion of almost everything else.

I've spent years in bear country, have witnessed two bear attacks, have been charged by a bear and have talked to dozens of hikers, hunters, rangers, fishermen, loggers, miners and others who spend time in bear country. And I can tell you that if you value your life and you want OBJECTIVE and realistic information to avoid a bear attack DON'T READ THIS BOOK!

This author pushes the same old, dreary, worn-out, tired anti-people, anti-self defense, anti-gun hype that nauseates those of us who know better.

Indeed, this book reminds me of the story of Cynthia Dusel Bacon, a geologist who was attacked by a black bear in Alaska. Bacon was air-dropped in interior Alaska to take geological specimans and make observations. The pilot was to return later and pick her up at a pre-determined location.

But Dusel was stalked and attacked by a bear. During the attack Dusel was able to find her radio in her rucksack and call for help. However, before help could arrive she was severely injured. The pilot took her to Fairbanks from where she was airlifted to Stanford Medical Center in California. The doctors saved her life, but SHE LOST BOTH ARMS AT THE SHOULDER!!!

The attacking bear was estimated at less than 200 lbs. So if Dusel had possessed any kind of medium-powered gun, even something so benign against bears as a .357 mag or even a .38 Special, chances are she could have repelled the bear if not killed it. But noooo!! She was evidently operating under the same stupid ideas as McMillion and others who say you shouldn't carry a gun in bear country. For her ignorance, or her willingness to heed the stupid advice of others, she condemned herself to a life without arms or hands!

To those of you who oppose the possession of firearms in bear country try a simple experiment: Try living for JUST ONE DAY with your hands bound behind you with rope or duct tape. Just try it!! And then ask yourself the following simple question: Isn't it better to HAVE a gun and NOT need it than to NEED IT and NOT HAVE it?

Moreover, there was no evidence that Bacon provoked the bear in anyway. In fact, by every version of her widely documented story, the attacking bear exhibited classic "stalking" or "predatory" behavior.

Nonetheless, in the arrogant, morally superior fashion typical of people who believe they have the right to tell the rest of us how to think and live, the author tacitly condemns the commonsense human use of bear habitat. How else can we interpret his relentless efforts to blame and shame people whenever a bear goes berserk? Or to suggest we have no right to defend ourselves?

As indicated above, I've had first-hand experience with bear attacks. And in my opinion if you want to travel in bear country with any degree of safety, I recommend "Bear Encounter Survival Guide" by James Gary Shelton. Shelton has far more first hand experience than McMillion. His writing is objective, realistic and wholly without ulterior motives. He also describes the predatory or stalking behavior of the bear that rendered Ms. Bacon a cripple.

Great Book - Truthful
Just wanted to say what a great bear attack book. I hike in bear country, and it's always helpful to be reminded what does happen. Also, just wanted to comment that I personally know Joe Heimer, in the story "Warm Spell", and that the author's account of this attack was relayed in the book exactly as Joe told of the account to me, so I have to believe that each of the stories were researched and written with the same attention to detail. Great for anyone going into bear country!!

Terrifying.
I first saw this book in the hands of my Dad a few weeks ago. Then in my older brothers. They both were very intrested in this book so i asked my mother to read it to me. I think i may never leave our family ranch and hed off into the forest again. Bears killing humans and eating them may not scare my dad and brother but it sure scared the pants off of me. I always thought that all bears were always cute and playful, who whould have thought. Scott McMillion did a great job on this book. It takes a very good or very funny writer to get me into a book and this man has done it. I applued him(i hope i spelt that right). Even though it may be quite some time before i will want to see a bear again. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A Great Book for any Nature Observer
This is is a fine book devoted to famillar mammals of the US and Canada. It shows full-color illustrations and maps that show you where the specific critter lives for many different mammals. Plus it tells you what a specific mammal eats and wether it is dangerous or not. A must for all nature-lovers ! ... Read more

Book Description

"Reads like a crime novel . . . each chapter ends on a cliff-hanging note."—Seattle Times

When residents of Boulder, Colorado, suddenly began to see mountain lions in their backyards, it became clear that the cats had returned after decades of bounty hunting had driven them far from human settlement. In a riveting environmental tale that has received huge national attention, journalist David Baron traces the history of the mountain lion and chronicles one town's tragic effort to coexist with its new neighbors. As thought-provoking as it is harrowing, The Beast in the Garden is a tale of nature corrupted, the clash between civilization and wildness, and the artificiality of the modern American landscape. It is, ultimately, a book about the future of our nation, where suburban sprawl and wildlife-protection laws are pushing people and wild animals into uncomfortable, sometimes deadly proximity. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Still, nobodyknows what to do about the problem...
The "problem" illustrated by this 278-page non-fiction book is the increasing contact between humans and mountain lions (cougar, puma, whatever...) in the Western United States.

Baron focuses on the encroachment of the big cats into urban Boulder, CO in the 1990s with a consequent tragic result for both cougars and people.The lion/human interactions escalate from the occasional urban sighting - at first denied by wildlife authorities - to cougars killing deer within city boundaries to killing pets to killing farm animals to stalking and threatening humans to, finally, an incident in which a lion kills a high school student athlete as he runs in broad daylight on a hillside above his school.

This tale, with lots of footnoted references, also tracks the efforts of a Boulder parks department employee who, from his experience with people being killed by wildlife in Yellowstone NP, recognizes the growing potential for a deadly cougar/human encounter.But he can't convince state game officials to take the problem seriously, partly because game department officials believe Boulder brought the problem on themselves by allowing deer, the cougar's favorite food, to proliferate far beyond normal population density by the city's anti-hunting bias.Apart from the dead high school student, there are cautionary tales about a college-age woman who is treed (yes!) by cougars while running in a suburban area and an adult male attacked and injured on a popular day hike.

But other than recoding and mapping the locations of cougar/human encounters - which Washington state just passed a law requiring - what can be done to avoid cougars becoming habituated to (i.e., not fearful of) people with the eventual conclusion on their part that humans are valid prey?Nobody knows.

Baron's book is well written, entertaining and educational.My only complaints are about the author's occasional rambles into non-relevant aspects of some of the characters' lives and the lack of photographs.There's one photo of a cougar track in the snow (good to memorize if you live in or visit cat country!) and one of a cougar shot by Boulder police.But in a book which goes into depth about several characters I'd like to see pictures of them as well as some of the locations where incidents occurred.

Recommended for anyone interested in North American wildlife or anyone living in "cougar country", which currently is most any place in the Western United States.

A Big Reality Check for Those Who Mythologize Nature
This book does a superb job of helping the reader see nature as it is, as opposed to how many of us would prefer to imagine it to be.Although the book suggests some solutions to the macro sources of conflict between people and mountain lions, it doesn't provide much practical advice for surviving an aggressive encounter.Such advice can be found in the book Mountain Lion Alert by Stephen Torres.

One disconcerting detail that Baron provides in the description of the victim's remains is the damage done to the victim's face.Those familiar with the descriptions of other lion attacks in the past 15 years will recognize a pattern that is worth bearing in mind for anyone wishing to survive an attack.With a 65 - 150 lb animal attached to your head or face, you had better hope you have a suitably long knife located where you're conditioned to quickly find it if you want to have a chance of breaking off the attack.A hiking staff, pistol, can of mace, rock, backpack or any other weapon you might consider carrying in lion country will do you very little good once physical contact has been made.

If Baron decides to write a follow up book, I'd love to hear about the specific steps wildlife managers and citizens can take to help prevent cougars from becoming habituated to people.Some wildlife officers have attempted to reinstill or reinforce the natural fear cougars have of people by shooting them with rubber bullets or bean bags when they wander into residential areas.Frequent non-lethal hunts in areas where problems have begun to occur might be one of the most acceptable ways to stem habituation without killing any of these magnificent animals.

A Good, But Troublesome Read


THE BEAST IN THE GARDEN
BY
DAVID BARON
2004

This 277-page book is an important contribution to our understanding of the increasing interactions between large carnivores and humans.The author is a seasoned writer about science and environmental issues for National Public Radio and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.This factual book chronicles the series of develops in both human and mountain lion behavior that eventually lead to an unthinkable fatal interaction.The subtitle: A Modern Parable of Man and Nature is more than that, it is a warning that we best not ignore.

The true story takes place in the Boulder/Idaho Springs areas northwest and west of Denver, Colorado in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The book is a grabber and will keep you turning pages until the end.What Mr. Baron has so artfully done is clearly explain the major biological, cultural and demographic factors that inevitably lead to humans becoming potential prey for an increasing cougar (mountain lion, puma) population.There is a cautionary note for all of us, even if we do not now live in an area inhabited by this largest purring cat in North America.

A major player in this story of habituated-to-humans cougars are deer... their traditional and major prey. Boulder County reduced the hunting harvest of deer and allowed citizens to feed deer around their dwellings. With cougar hunting greatly limited in the second half of the 1900's, these usually solitary hunters began to reclaim their native habitat which now contains a very large deer population.All animals have natural factors that limit their numbers and range, for Puma concolor, theirs, gray wolves, are gone.In short, the sequence goes like this:humans move into good quality lion habitat, deer increase in numbers and move into human neighborhoods, both wild species become more active during the day, dogs and cats are easy prey and humans are of no consequence to lions.Lions are excellent ambush hunters.The rest you can piece together.

So, as we celebrate the return of lions in many areas of their former habitat, we have an added responsibility to understand the consequences of our wildlife policies; and by the way...watch your behavior with deer, pets and any habituated large carnivore.

Wendel Johnson
Marinette, WI

When cougars move to a community
When cougars move to a community

By Elizabeth Laden
Island Park News


"Whether guided by a divine hand or biological imperative, the mountain lions are sending a message; they are signaling a change of era, not just to those few who have had direct encounters with them but to America as a whole. The cats, emboldened and proliferating, are heralds of a new stage in the nation's evolution, a changed relationship between man and nature that will require an attendant adjustment in cultural attitudes." - David Baron

When Elk Creek Estates resident Ron Wilkes told me about shooting a mountain lion recently that was in the middle of attacking his family's pet, I immediately thought of a book I had read last year titled, The Beast in the Garden: A Modern Parable of Man and Nature by David Baron (W. W. Norton & Co., New York, 2004).
This 277-page non fiction winner of the 2003 Colorado Book Award is about the growing number of cougar attacks in Colorado. It reads like a suspense-building thriller, and when I reread it this week, I wondered if Island Park would be the setting of a similar page-turner some time soon. Since the January 7 attack at the Wilkes place, at least one other mountain lion had been sighted in our community.
For more than 20 years, the "beasts" - cougars - in Baron's "garden" - the animal-loving community of Boulder, Colorado, have killed and injured both humans and animals. Cougars started coming into populated areas in this scenic part of Colorado soon after residents posted their land against hunting and decided that the would tolerate the large population of deer that had moved into their parks and residential neighborhood.
Cougars love deer, and when they followed their prey into town, people decided that they would tolerate the cats even after they killed pets and threatened humans. In an historic Colorado Division of Wildlife meeting to discuss the growing number of cougar attacks, the majority of people voted against hunting down the cougars. Although the vote was controversial, the Division of Wildlife's reaction was even more so. The agency decided to bend to the people's will andto manage the cats as little as possible They would not hunt, trap, or relocate problem animals.
Boulder is like many other modern day communities, Baron asserts, whose residents believe that wild animals have rights. Baron believes that people have "evolved" into this view of animals so different that 50 years ago, when predators were viewed as enemies that must be killed for the protection of people and more economically attractive species. Baron contends that the Endangers Species Act of 1974 advances the thinking that people have an obligation to protect animals and keep them from becoming endangered and extinct. Decisions about how to manage animals that a half century ago would have been exterminated without fanfare are most likely to occur in communities at the edge of wild habitat, says Baron. Communities like Boulder, Colorado, and Island Park, Idaho.
Wildlife biologists Baron interviewed noted that when one cougar is killed, another will move into its territory. Cougars learn from one another. In Boulder, they have developed a taste for domestic cats and dogs and they stalk people in places at the edge of town, like hiking trails, which they have learned people visit often. Researchers were certain that the cats stalk the pets before hey kill them, even learning when the pets' owners leave home, return home, and turn outside lights on and off.
Did the mountain lion that killed the Wilkes' pet have cubs who are now stalking pets and other animals?Perhaps other pets have been attacked, but dragged away without the owner suspecting that a mountain lion was the cause.
Time will tell if this area's mountain lion population is increasing and if the cats are getting bold enough to encounter people and domestic animals.
Meanwhile, it may be a good idea to read Baron's book andthink about how this community would react to a population of habituated mountain lions. Perhaps if a Boulder resident had shot the first cougar that invaded a neighborhood, Scott Lancaster would not have been killed when he was running in the hills outside Boulder in 1991. Someday we may all be grateful that Ron Wilkes grabbed his gun rather than try to make friends with the beast in his backyard.
The memory of finding Lancaster's body will live forever in searcher Steve Shelafo's mind. Baron writes:
"During his years in wilderness rescue, Steve had seen plenty of corpses - dismembered in plane crashes, bloated from drowning, crushed after falling from cliffs. This sight was more than gruesome; it was both haunting and indescribably weird. The body, clothed in athletic gear, wasn't sloppily mangled; it was carefully carved, hollowed out like a pumpkin. Someone had cut a circle from the front of the sweatshirt and the turquoise T-shirt beneath, sliced through the skin and bones, exposed the chest cavity, and plucked out the organs. After conducting this ghoulish backwoods surgery the killer had removed the victim's face and then sprinkled moss and twigs on the lower torso as if to signify something profound, as if performing a macabre ritual."
David Baron has worked as a science reporter and a science correspondent/editor for National Public Radio, and currently serves as global development editor for the BBC program, The World.
For more information about The Beast in the Garden and photos of subject matter addressed in the book, go to www.beastinthegarden.com

parable for modern times, but have we learned anything?
I just finished The Beast In the Garden: A Modern Parable of Man and Nature by David Baron.This non-fiction book is a quick read and outlines the comeback of the mountain lion, or cougar, along the Front Range, during the late 1980s to early 1990s.The cougar had been nearly wiped out by government bounties in the early part of the twentieth century, but the explosion of deer along the Front Range, along with revocation of that bounty, led to a comeback.In parts of the Denver metro area, mountain lions came to co-exist with human beings.This was especially true in Boulder, where the nature loving Boulderites assured a plentiful meat supply when they wouldn't cull deer herds.The mountain lions grow familiar with human habits, learn that humans don't mean danger, and end up mauling a high school student.

I really enjoyed the way the events were outlined, and Baron does a good job of making sure the science and character development are well balanced.He follows a few of the key players for the entire time, while bringing in other interesting characters, like the cougar hunter, as they appear.The science seems reasonable to me, though I haven't taken a biology class since high school: large animals don't have a natural aversion to humanity.Rather, this is a learned trait passed from generation to generation.Remove the killing that caused the aversion, and the animals will become more and more comfortable around humanity, to the point of considering humans a food source.

In the larger sense, though, this book is about managing wilderness, and realizing that as soon as you put a house up in a forest, you've changed the stakes.Humans love being around nature, but bleat for help as soon as nature threatens.In some ways, we want a Disneyland version of the forest--all of the beauty with none of the danger.You see this all the time with folks who build around national forest; as soon as fires season comes, they need to be protected.This is a thorny problem, and answers aren't simple.The Beast In the Garden really is a parable, and I'm not sure we've learned the lessons. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When naturalist Kilham was asked to take in two orphaned black bear cubs, the conventional wisdom was that he would end up with 200-pound brutes too dependent to leave home. So Kilham decided to try his own unconventional method--he raised them in their natural habitat, surrounded by the wild bear-filled woods of New Hampshire. As their bear mother, he was given an unprecedented look into the lives of bears and what he observed turns bear stereotypes on their head. Black bears exhibit behaviors thought to be found only in humans and great apes, such as an intricate system of communication and cooperation, insight, planning, deception, and even ethics, like fair play, empathy, and altruism (qualities not found in apes). Kilham, who has now raised 26 cubs, is an intrepid bear mom, and a humble and delightful storyteller. This is an irresistible story of some of the most endearing rogues ever encountered. --Lesley Reed ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Meet the Bears
This book is basically a primary source about black bears, a subject that, as the author points out, has received spotty attention. "Among the Bears" partially remedies this neglect: it is rich in anecdote, modest yet persuasive in analyses.
This book has many small, satisfying pleasures to it, not the least of which is the idea of a large, stereotypically manly guy like Kilham being a mother to these bears. And he is an amazing mother, patient, wise and tireless. He always lends his bears an ear, literally (for suckling). Another is the reader learns along with Kilham, who continues to turn over the behaviors of his bears in his head, often coming to explanations only after thinking and experimenting. Finally, his physical encounters with bears are entertaining and, I think, instructive about how bears (and humans) become at ease with each other.
The book is very plain in language. As his story progressed, the content of the ideas was plenty engaging, and more than made up for any lack of style.
Telling the history of his interactions with bears, including an unusually large male interested in Squirty, one of the female bears he has raised, Killham ventures prescriptive advice about how to handle a bear encounter only at the end of the book. "Hold your ground, stay calm, maintain eye contact, and let the situation resolve itself. It will." (245)
Throughout the book, Kilham has relevant and undogmatic insights about hunting and hunters.
A small complaint: A bibliography, or more simply--in the character of this straightforward, unpretentious book--a short list of suggested readings would have been welcome. However, the basic but thorough index is excellent.

Among the Bears
This is a wonderful book! Kilham does for bears what Jane
Goodhall did for primates. He lives among them and and in
so doing gains valuable insights into their abilities and
behaviors. He discovers bears to be highly intelligent
individuals, but with strong social connections, communicating
over distance and time by scent, sound, body language, and
deliberate trail signs. If you have any interest at all in
bears or in social lives of animals, buy this book!

Excellent!
If you love animals, if you are interested in their behavior, or if you just enjoy a great read.......BUY THIS BOOK! Ben Kilham raised orphaned black bear cubs as a momma bear would. He successfully returned them to the wild and maintained a relationship with them, even after one had cubs of her own! This is no pet bear story, but a look at how one man changed the way we look at a species, while retaining a respect for their wild stature. Black bears are sensitive, intelligent and often altruistic, as Ben Kilham shows. He makes us realize that there are things to be learned about animals, especially black bears and their behavior, that cannot be taken lightly. We humans are not the only intelligent and emotional beings on this planet!

Getting out Among the Bears
As soon as I finished this book, I was sorry it ended so I had to get out and take a long hike myself. I found so much in the forest that has eluded me in the past. I went looking for footprints, marks on trees, acorns, beechnuts, etc. and especially 'scat'. Never knew what that was! This is not some tree hugger proselytizing on getting back to nature, simplifying, etc. This is a man writing about courage, humility, and living the life he preaches without whining and making it sound like the good thing it is. And he makes some amazing discoveries along the way and doesn't even pat himself on the back for all his work.

Beautiful, sensitive story
Ben Kilham's observations about bears are wonderfully told - funny, sensitive and insightful. Not a naturalist by trade - he's a gunsmith of all things! - he brings a fascinating perspective to the development of these animals. Highly recommended ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Patterson is a GODSEND!
Gareth Patterson is a saint! He is doing what needs to be done concerning the lions. Humanity is a cancer and that cancer is destroying everything in it's path. Buy this book and jump on the band wagon to save the lions!

ALSO: One of the major problems we face is misinformation. One example is Jennifer Henderson's review of Gareth's book "Last of the Free." The book does not begin with Batian's murder, but end's with it. And in the book, Furaha nor any of her cubs get executed! What is wrong with people? I really wish people would read these books prior to writing reviews!

One last thing: If you buy these books and enjoy them, please do your part to help the Tuli Lion Trust.

Here is an idea. If you live in the Tuli area, become a vegetarian! It is the meat industry and cattle ranching that is the bane of lions today. If we can put the meat industry out of business we can save the lions... and some nice cows as well!

truly amazing tales
This story reveals the coruption and selfishness of the human race and highlight the work and lives of The Adamsons, truly amazing people that fought so selflessly for Lions and the African Wildlife ... Read more

Book Description

John Pukite went back to the barnyard after the success of A Field Guide to Cows and the result is a one-of-a-kind field guide to the true star of any farmyard-the pig. Although swine have roamed fields and forests for centuries, this guide is the first to offer easy-to-understand descriptions and illustrations of the world's most popular breeds. Whether it is the massive Poland China or the roly-poly Vietnamese Potbelly, A Field Guide to Pigs is the one-stop reference for endless little-known facts, fascinating tidbits about pig behavior, and even etiquette for when you visit the farm. Casual pig watchers and porcinologists alike are sure to learn something new on every page. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Oink!!
This is a book that goes hog-wild with descriptions of twenty-four varieties of domesticated pig and thirteen of their wild relatives. It is larded with many interesting and important facts about the development of today's common breeds. Although the author does ham it up with some of his observations, he has succeeded in fashioning a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Great book for those who admire the noble pig!
This book is delightful...for those of us who are infatuated with these bristly critters, it gives all the loose-end info that the other books don't. From tail-curling descriptions to grunt analysis, this book brings home the bacon. It included pig folk sayings, poems, pig songs, pig superstitions.. and the piggy illustrations were extremely detailed and captivating, if you adore porkers! It's a fun book to page through, and is chock full of obscure piggy facts that you would never find anywhere else, such as pig trails of past times, or the four varieties of spam. I am sure that any pig lover would be perusing through it as fast as I did. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Aztecs called them mitzli. The Apache called them yutin. Others call them cougars, Florida panthers, or puma. Call them what you will, North America's largest cats are celebrated in this beautiful book, simply entitled Mountain Lion. Rebecca L. Grambo has written a highly readable guide to these felines, with information on their habits, their habitats, and their interactions with humans. What make this book special, however, are the pages of stunning photographs. Nature photographer Daniel J. Cox spent more than 10 years observing mountain lions and snapped these remarkable images of the animals in their native habitats. The fact that most of the pictures are of "captive-bred mountain lions under controlled conditions" (sort of a feline fashion shoot?) doesn't detract from their beauty. Cox presents amazing photos of newborn cubs taking their first breaths and older cubs, fluffy and spotted, at play. Even more impressive are the gorgeous, clear shots of mature cats roaming their territory, hunting prey, and simply resting. Cox has certainly managed to capture what he calls the "elegant fluidity" of these magnificent animals. Any nature lover would be thrilled with this beautiful and informative book. --C.B. Delaney ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Pretty pictures, but ....
I spent two months last winter in a mountain cabin far up a back road in Washington's Methow Valley, just below the Canadian border and just east of the North Cascade National Park, where there are many cougars. One broke into my nearest neighbor's house and I found fresh tracks one morning beside the road into town. So with all the cougar excitement in the Valley, I decided to learn more about them by reading two recently published softcover books. Either book is a good place to start if you want to know more about the big cats that are becoming a more common part of life throughout the West.

Mountain Lion (Cox and Grambo) is a medium format photo essay of 99 spectacular color photographs of cougars running, jumping, caring for their young, attacking deer and so forth. These remarkable pictures, mostly taken in southwestern red rock country, give a real feel for how the animals move through their territory. After being stunned by the images, I was a little disappointed to read that they were taken "mainly with captive-bred mountain lions under controlled conditions". Well, the cougars LOOK wild and at least none of them are wearing sunglasses or have their kitty litter boxes visible. The brief text is a well-written essay about the cougar's natural history and human interaction, and there is a bibliography.

A book I preferred is Cougar! by Harold Danz. It is a comprehensive historical and natural history coverage of the cats by a retired National Park Service employee. Besides a description of cougar habits and hunting techniques with each of their prey species, interesting chapters describe the human-cougar relationship from Native Americans and Colonial times, through the bounty hunter years and on to the present.

There is a fascinating section in Cougar! that describes all documented cougar attacks, both fatal and non-fatal, in the U.S. and Canada from 1751 through mid-1998. Danz reports that the only fatal cougar attack in the United States between 1909 and 1974, was of a 13-year old boy traveling on snowshoes near Lake Chelan (not far from my winter retreat) in December 1924. When his body was found it was deduced that the young victim had cut off one of the cougar's front claws (!) while unsuccessfully defending himself with a pocketknife. Contemporary cougar fans may find poetic justice in descriptions of two recent non-fatal incidents where National Park campers were forced by cougars to spend the night up in a tree (!) until someone came to their assistance. There is also a description of historic and current cougar populations in each state (Washington, with 2,300, has one of the largest populations) and Canadian province, as well as the exhaustive bibliography you'd expect from a university press.

I really enjoyed Cougar!, and while the grainy black and white photos don't compare with those in Mountain Lion, it is the much more informative and interesting of the two books.

Beautiful & Informative
You can judge a book by it's cover. It's just as beautiful inside as it is outside. Very informative and a joy to read. If you love wildlife or any of the big cats, you'll definitely want to add this book to your collection!

A book you will be proud to own.
A wonderful book. A joy to read. Rebecca L. Grambo writes well with a sympathetic eye. She discusses these beauties and their plight for survival. The accompanying magestic photos by Daniel J. Cox perfectly match the content from the Author. Since the Nature of Mountain Lions are so shy, I appreciate the wonderful photographs of them in nature which would otherwise be very difficult to photograph. I recommend this book to any cat and animal lovers out there. I hope this book stirrs up the public's interest in saving the Mountian Lion from extinction.

Rating: "A" -- wonderful wildcat photography. Highly recomme
These are the best mountain lion photographs I've ever seen, and
one of the best wildlife-photography books I know of. The text is
competent and well-researched, but the real attraction is Cox's
wonderful photos. If you have any interest in wildcats, you need this
book. Or if you need a gift for a cat-lover ....

Cox photographed mainly captive-bred cats; this is evident only in
the extraordinary intimacy of the photos, such as one of the mother
cat giving birth, and many of appealing blue-eyed, spotted cubs at
play. I'd have liked to know how he took the one where the lion is
leaping straight into the camera. Or the one where it looks like he
was in the same sandstone cave with the lion, in Utah's magnificent
canyonlands. Or the cat in mid-leap over a chasm. Sadly, such details
are conspicuous by their absence; the text is resolutely generic.

But this is quibbling. The photos speak for themselves -- like the cat
who's treed a porcupine, and (next photo, please) gets a snootful of
quills. The publisher's puff copy calls this "the most extraordinary
photographic book on mountain lions ever published." I would
agree, and recommend it highly. ... Read more