A Naturalist in Alaska

Rating:
Summary: A must-read for travelers to Denali park
Review: Adolph Murie was a naturalist who spent most of his career, and most of this century working in Denali park in Alaska. I heard about him from the tour guides while taking the bus tour through the park. He is their paton saint. The book tells various stories about the various animals Murie studied. It wonderfully captures the sense of that great park and the wildlife that dwells within. After reading his book, I'm inspired to make my next trip to Denali a camping trip where I sit on a high ridge with my binoculars and camera and watch.

--Dan Arias

Rating:
Summary: For Love of Wilderness
Review: I came upon Murie's "A Naturalist in Alaska" after having read two of his other books, "The Wolves of Mt. McKinley" and "The Grizzlies of Mt. McKinley," and I found "A Naturalist in Alaska" to be the most readable of the three. In fact, if one is interested in reading Murie's descriptions of the lives and interrelationships of the lynxes, wolves, bears, wolverines, foxes, Dall sheep, caribou, and even the haymice that frequent the far flung state that calls itself "The Last Frontier," but must select only one of Murie's published works, then "A Naturalist in Alaska" is the book to choose.

"Wolves" and "Grizzlies," while very rewarding to anyone curious about the real behavior of wild creatures, are perhaps best described as dispassionate and objective records of Murie's extensive observations of those animals in their native, largely unmolested habitat. In "A Naturalist," however, Murie gives vent to his admiration for these creatures and for the land they inhabit. While never stinting on his objective observations, Murie interweaves his objectivity with a sense of wonder, and his descriptive writing is nearly as good as a camera lens for portraying the rolling tundra, the meandering glacial rivers, the rocky spires of the Alaska Range, and, of course, the creatures that live and die in this magnificent setting.

The sociability of wolves with others of their pack, their ingenuity in forcing sheep down rocky bottoms where they can be outrun, the apparent games eagles play on wolves and sheep, and even the amazing ingenuity of the tiny haymouse are all skillfully portrayed in "A Naturalist" Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this book is its ability to teach and entertain equally. The reader will enjoy the vivid descriptions of the land and its denizens while learning about the almost limitless interactions of the wild creatures with one another and, sometimes, with humankind.

If there is any weakness in "A Naturalist," it is that there is some overlap with Murie's other books, "Wolves" and "Grizzlies," in that some of his field observations seem to be repeated. Of course, if one is coming to Murie for the first time, this repetition will not be apparent, and I actually enjoyed re-reading some of the antics observed in the members of the East Fork wolf den, so any criticism I have concerning the repetition is very mild indeed.

Who will find reading this book to be time well spent? Those interested in Alaska in particular or vast wilderness areas in general should find it rewarding. Those interested in the habits, traits, activities, and personalities of wild creatures that are only beginning to adapt to the spread of humankind into their pristine land will also enjoy Murie's writing. Aspiring writers should find inspirational examples of descriptive writing here. Do not, however, seek to find adrenaline-raising stories of harrowing encounters between hapless humans and ravenous bears or crazed wolverines, for that is seldom real life, and Murie's books are all about real life (although there are a couple of stories of some near encounters that make the reader wonder how he or she would have reacted in Murie's place).

I account my own time in reading this book to have been well spent, and I believe that you will, too. And if reading "A Naturalist" leaves you feeling a little humbled at your place on this earth, then I believe that you will feel as Murie himself felt and that he would be pleased with the success of his book.