Shadow Mountain : A Memoir of Wolves, a Woman, and the Wild

Rating:
Summary: A VERY MOVING TALE
Review: A GREAT READ. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO HAS SYMPATHY FOR THE WILD CREATURES OF THIS WORLD. TO KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING FOR WOLVES AND THE WILD ID A GREAT COMFORT, AND TO READ THE SAGA WAS FACINATING.

Rating:
Summary: A VERY MOVING TALE
Review: A GREAT READ. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO HAS SYMPATHY FOR THE WILD CREATURES OF THIS WORLD. TO KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING FOR WOLVES AND THE WILD ID A GREAT COMFORT, AND TO READ THE SAGA WAS FACINATING.

Rating:
Summary: Its not about the wolf.
Review: Askins has crafted a compelling story about examining our human relationship with the natural world. Ostensibly, the book describes the formation of the Wolf Fund, her single issue, streamlined, strategic environmental organization aimed at garnering grass roots support and applying political pressure to achieve the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. And yet it is about so much more. She writes with candor and wit, wandering back and forth in time, highlighting the trail, effectively illustrating serendipitous twists of fate that ultimately influence her role in the attainment of this greater goal. It's her story, and yet, like any good writing, there is something universal here. Digging at the roots of her own motivation, she uncovers a philosophy for life. Askins herds the reader along with a mixture of dogged determination and poetic passion, feeding us cookies of wisdom along the way, plenty of food for thought. I hope we hear her howl again.

Rating:
Summary: Its not about the wolf.
Review: Askins has crafted a compelling story about examining our human relationship with the natural world. Ostensibly, the book describes the formation of the Wolf Fund, her single issue, streamlined, strategic environmental organization aimed at garnering grass roots support and applying political pressure to achieve the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. And yet it is about so much more. She writes with candor and wit, wandering back and forth in time, highlighting the trail, effectively illustrating serendipitous twists of fate that ultimately influence her role in the attainment of this greater goal. It's her story, and yet, like any good writing, there is something universal here. Digging at the roots of her own motivation, she uncovers a philosophy for life. Askins herds the reader along with a mixture of dogged determination and poetic passion, feeding us cookies of wisdom along the way, plenty of food for thought. I hope we hear her howl again.

Rating:
Summary: A life altering book
Review: I originally got this book out of the library, in part of planning a trip to Yellowstone and a desire to see its wolves. After only a few pages, I realized I was reading a book that was about so much more than wolves -- Ms. Askins writes brilliantly about conservation ethics, wildness, the politics of animal reintroductions, and living a commitment. The book was so good that I rushed out to buy my own copy, in part so I could underline all of the 'nuggets' of wisdom she serves up. This is a woman that I hope someday my daughter can meet - for she is a living example of what someone with vision, chutzpah, a good education, and perserverance can accomplish.

Rating:
Summary: This book will change your life
Review: I've always admired people like Renee Askins - people with perseverance, a strong will, and the strength to rise above the crowd and do what they want done. I am so glad that she has written a book about her experience helping wolves return to Yellowstone.

The text flows beautifully, written in a style the young adult-adult population (Kids just won't understand it) will appreciate, understand, and relate to. The book is not so much about wolves but about nature itself.

Now, you're probably wondering when I'm going to say what I mean by calling this review 'This book will change your life.' We'll, you're about to find out.

The book is so much about our connection with the wild, and about life, that I cannot imagine someone reading it and walking away the same person. It will change your view on the wilderness, true wildness, fulfilling dreams, and life itself.

This wonderful woman, Renee Askins, says she once wondered if the wolf recovery program would take a year. As it turns out, it took fourteen years.

It was worth it to the very end.

Rating:
Summary: Renee's Wolves
Review: Just before the start of Chapter one in the book Shadow Mountain is the Quote from Gandhi "Whatever you do will be insignificant and it is very important that you do it". Ghandi also once wrote that you can judge people by the way they treat their animals. Renee Askins founded the Wolf Fund in 1986 for the purpose of reintroducing the wolf into Yellowstone National Park. Renee Askins is a fine human being, one who, like Dian Fossey, has devoted herself to one endangered species and from her efforts has found ground breaking and hopefully, long lasting success. Shadow Mountain is a wonderful book filled with emotion and adventure that will make you laugh, make you angry, and make you cry, but most of all is will make you pleased about the way you treat your animals.

Rating:
Summary: Renee's Wolves
Review: Just before the start of Chapter one in the book Shadow Mountain is the Quote from Gandhi "Whatever you do will be insignificant and it is very important that you do it". Ghandi also once wrote that you can judge people by the way they treat their animals. Renee Askins founded the Wolf Fund in 1986 for the purpose of reintroducing the wolf into Yellowstone National Park. Renee Askins is a fine human being, one who, like Dian Fossey, has devoted herself to one endangered species and from her efforts has found ground breaking and hopefully, long lasting success. Shadow Mountain is a wonderful book filled with emotion and adventure that will make you laugh, make you angry, and make you cry, but most of all is will make you pleased about the way you treat your animals.

Rating:
Summary: great enough to buy it for a friend
Review: Renee Askins has written something (somewhat tangentially), about wolves--that truly translates into every other aspect of life--she's a brilliant and beautiful genius, and it will probably be ages before we realize her wisdom. For the time being, I am content to wander through her metaphors and images, just hoping that I discover their worth.

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Great Book
Review: Renee Askins is a lyrical writer who tells her story beautifully. It's not about the wolves and it's not about Yellowstone; it's about passion and heartbreak and staying on course. It made me laugh, shake my head, and cry. And long after the last page of the book, her bright images peer from behind trees and peek around corners.