A noble failure and a wild success

One of those books that if fun to review because my feelings about it change depending on how I look at it. As a pure book of science reporting/writing, it is probably a noble failure. As a influential environmental book, it is probably a wild success.

It is controversial (STILL) and entertaining (STILL) and a piece of shit/scat and a piece of art. My kids loved it for all the wrong reasons and I probably hate parts of it for all the wrong reasons. So, yes, I'm glad I read it, but I also recognize that it wasn't perfect (sorry, not many Darwins out there).

12 people found this helpful

wonderful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

loved MOWAT'S curiously deep connection to self, with other persons, other creatures and his envirionment that has, ultimatly, brought about a change in the way we (human beings) make sense of the natural world. a wonderfully inspiring, humbling and thought provoking a book.

What did you like best about this story?

it's humanity

What does Adam Sims bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sims was Mowat, great stuff!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

an extraordinary accout of one man's capacity for connection much much deeper than 'ordinary humanity'

Any additional comments?

sublime

5 people found this helpful

A Funny Tale for the Whole Family

Farley Mowat is a naturalist. When he was young he had an amazing dog and two owls. He wrote about them both, 'Owls in the Family' and ;The Dog Who Wouldn't Be' . In this story, he writes about his experience dealing with bureaucracy and wolves. It is a laugh out loud tale of his study of a family of wolves who have an amazing family hierarchy. It includes an uncle, taking care of pups, who has a brief love affair with a husky. The end is very sad, the government decides to kill off many of the wolves, including those Farley had studied.
Please buy this book, you will learn an enormous amount about wolves and how a naturalist studies animals. Then Audible will release, 'Owls in the Family' and 'The Dog Who Wouldn't Be' .

4 people found this helpful

A hilarious challenge to accepted ways of thinking

What did you love best about Mowat: Never Cry Wolf?

It challenges you to examine your beliefs and why you believe them. And while you're doing so, you're laughing your head off. Mowat's dry wit lends itself wonderfully to the uncomfortable realization that we believe things simply because we were told to, not necessarily because they are true.

What did you like best about this story?

The story itself is beautiful, exciting and heart-touching, a tale that is far away and yet somehow still very close indeed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment in which Mowat decides to reject all his previous knowledge of wolves (which had at that point been proven wrong to him anyway) and view them with a clean slate was particularly touching. Ultimately, that is one of the most difficult (and rewarding) things for humans to do; reject what is "known" for what can be discovered

Any additional comments?

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story and a good laugh and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a challenge to their thinking, a change in perspective and an appreciation of the fact that often the most "human" behaviour in nature doesn't come from humans at all.

4 people found this helpful

Better Than the Movie

Learned a lot of new information about wolves that I never really picked up when the movie came out a very long time ago. Humorous. I wish he'd had a lot more time to study his wolves. Not surprised that the government totally ignored what he learned. It's always all about money and who's got it to spend. Great book though. Loved it.

2 people found this helpful

Need more please

there need to be more of his books available as audiobooks please. here 3 words.

greatest book EVER written

Once again , humans never cease to let me down... nature is a gift and we are merely guests

Funny and fascinating!

A comical story and brilliant insight into the beautiful habitat and lifestyle of wolves. This is a rare and enchanting glimpse into a world we know so little about, and repeatedly misunderstand

review

excellent workmanship, a high quality performance, and a truly riveting story. I have no more to say but alas the review is required to be a minimum of fifteen words. obviously audible gives not a care for being succinct.

fascinating study of wolves

very slow to start but good once he started talking about the wolves. Amazing the attitudes and ideas that dominated thoughts back then.