Beaverland - Outside of a Dog

xylogx@bookwyrm.world reviewed Beaverland by Leila Philip

Well written and thoughtful

No rating

I really liked this one. It has a lot of the author in the story. She pulls you into the events and the research she did for this book and makes it all very personal. She takes an even handed look at all of the issues surrounding these furry critters and does not beat you over the head with an environmental message. In fact, the sadest part of the book is learning that the fur trade is dying off. At the same time, she is able to explain in a very detailed way why we need to live with Beavers and alternatives to simply treating them like pests when they conflict with humans.

Matt Chambers reviewed Beaverland by Leila Philip

Great read!

5 stars

I just finished Beaverland and I really enjoyed it. It's a very well-written science book that includes fascinating discussions of the role beavers played in the history of North America, particularly the economic development by Europeans. It also does a great job explaining the effects beavers have on the natural landscape and why we probably need more beavers to protect our environment.

The author is a very good writer, but I had the unsettling feeling that the book could've used one more good edit. Periodically, the book would make a reference to something that I didn't understand (such as a pond leveler) and only a few pages or a few chapters later would the concept be explained. It seemed like the writer wrote this in separate chapters at separate times, but nobody checked the final assembly to make sure that all the pieces fit together perfectly. This is only a …

I just finished Beaverland and I really enjoyed it. It's a very well-written science book that includes fascinating discussions of the role beavers played in the history of North America, particularly the economic development by Europeans. It also does a great job explaining the effects beavers have on the natural landscape and why we probably need more beavers to protect our environment.

The author is a very good writer, but I had the unsettling feeling that the book could've used one more good edit. Periodically, the book would make a reference to something that I didn't understand (such as a pond leveler) and only a few pages or a few chapters later would the concept be explained. It seemed like the writer wrote this in separate chapters at separate times, but nobody checked the final assembly to make sure that all the pieces fit together perfectly. This is only a minor quibble – I really enjoyed this book.

t o d d w a r n e r reviewed Beaverland by Leila Philip

Beavers, ecology, and making the world a better place

4 stars

Beaverland is a narrative deep dive (impressively researched) into the the world of beavers and all the folks who champion (from trappers, to enthusiasts, to scientists, to everyday people) this most important keystone species. The focus is on North America, and Connecticut more specifically, but the author does a great job outlining the specie's ecological importance globally as well. Great book. It's at times light and full of adventure as the author tramps through swamps and other times very appropriately serious and academically detailed. Recommend.