The Grizzlies of Mount McKinley (Scientific Monographs Series)

Book Description

For 25 years, Adolph Murie, one of North America's greatest naturalists, spent his summers in Mount McKinley National Park (since renamed Denali National Park) tracking, recording, and interpreting the lives of grizzlies in one of their few remaining strongholds.

Customer Reviews:

A Lumbering Book on a Lumbering Bear.......2003-06-27

Murie's book (originally a scientific monograph) on Ursus horribilis, the great brown bear, is a 242-page collection of observations of the grizzly's actions and relationships with its habitat. Murie's first-hand observations date from 1922 to the 1960s and were made around Denali (the original native name of Mount McKinley).

Murie's observations are dispassionate and objective, seemingly free of any bias for or against the great bear (although, at the conclusion, his admiration for the beast and his passionate desire that mankind refrain from "managing" wildlife do emerge). His observations include such topics as bears' range and movement, mating, mother-cub interaction, food habits, and relationship with various types of potential prey such as caribou, moose, Dall sheep, squirrels, marmots and mice.

As mentioned, Murie's observations deal only with the grizzlies of interior Alaska around McKinley National Park. He occasionally refers to but does not report on the brown bears of the Alaskan southern coastal areas, although he does accept them as a variety of grizzly (some feel that they are different species or sub-species).

Before buying this book, the reader should understand that it is not a "story book" about bears. There is no connected "story line" throughout the book, nor is it a collection of harrowing tales about grizzly attacks on hapless humans. Readers looking for entertainment or excitement should seek elsewhere. However, the book is quite illuminating as to the normal habits of normal grizzlies in their normal environment, and readers who wish to understand the actions (and, dare I say, the thought processes) of these animals will find the book a realistic, down-to-earth resource. It does not propose any encompassing scientific theories or postulate new hypotheses about grizzlies; it merely reports on how they act, where they roam, and how they live. In the end, this fairly long series of observations is quite effective in painting a very realistic and useful picture of both the grizzlies and, to a lesser extent, of the animals upon which they prey or with which they coexist.

There are a few somewhat grainy, black and white photographs reproduced in the book, indicative of the photographic technology available to Murie. Somehow, though, their quality adds to the overall impression of the book as the product of a keen observer of wildlife half a century and more ago. In brief, I found the book interesting and informative, if not exactly a "page-turner," and it should be useful to those who would become naturalists, who are curious about grizzlies, or who, like me, will always feel somewhat entranced by Alaska, the Last Frontier, and its still-wild creatures.

Classic Murie.......2000-10-19

There are so few grizzly bears left alive in the Lower 48 that grizzlies have become mytholigized as either demonic carnivores or hapless river wading salmon fishers.

Classic Murie.......2000-10-19

There are so few grizzly bears left alive in the Lower 48 that grizzlies have become mytholigized as either demonic carnivores or hapless river wading salmon fishers.

Adolph Murie was one of our greatest naturalists. His books on wolves, mammals, and grizzlies all share the same great style of writing; that mix of wonder and research that illuminates the true nature of wildlife and man's place among them.

Average customer rating:

Dissappearing Lake

Disappearing Lake: Nature's Magic In Denali National Park
Debbie S. Miller
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

Nonfiction | Mammals | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Nonfiction | Environment & Ecology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Water | Nature | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights

River of Life

Big Alaska: Journey Across America's Most Amazing State

A Polar Bear Journey

The Great Serum Race

ASIN: 061375459X

Customer Reviews:

Dissappearing Lake.......2000-03-28

Beautiful visuals and a lucid, entertaining account of an amazing ecosystem make this a perfect gift for curious young minds.

Average customer rating:

The Wolves of Denali
L. David Mech , Layne G. Adams , Thomas J. Meier , John W. Burch , and Bruce W. Dale
Manufacturer: University of Minnesota Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0816629595

Book Description

For more than nine years the wolves in Alaska's Denali National Park were the subject of intense research by a group of renowned scientists led by L. David Mech. The result of their work is the most comprehensive study of a population of wolves and their prey ever available. This accessible, fascinating, and extensively illustrated book will appeal to researchers, general readers, and wolf enthusiasts across the world.

"A scientific work of art. It takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the world of wolves. The book is a rich combination of scientific data and fascinating-and sometimes poignant-stories based on factual observations." -International Wolf

L. David Mech is a senior research scientist with the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. Layne G. Adams is a research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Science Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Thomas J. Meier is a wolf recovery biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Kalispell, Montana. John W. Burch is a wildlife biologist for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve in Alaska. Bruce W. Dale is a wildlife biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Average customer rating:

More Than the Title Suggests

The Wolves of Mount McKinley
Adolph Murie
Manufacturer: University of Washington Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dogs & Wolves | Animals | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Mammals | Animals | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Mammals | Zoology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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The Grizzlies of Mount McKinley (Scientific Monographs Series)

A Naturalist in Alaska

Two in the Far North

Decade of the Wolf: Returning the Wild to Yellowstone

Of Wolves and Men

ASIN: 0295962038

Customer Reviews:

More Than the Title Suggests.......2004-01-22

The title of Murie's book is far too restrictive to represent the full range of its contents. While the longest single chapter of the book is, indeed, devoted to the habits and ranges of wolves, including their interrelationships with other species inhabiting the huge national park surrounding Mt. McKinley (or Denali, as it is more popularly known in Alaska), other chapters deal with many other animals native to the region. Among those studied rather intensively are Dall sheep, caribou, moose and fox. Two rather brief chapters give sketches of grizzly bear and golden eagle as well. A more inclusive title for this study might have been "The Fauna of Mount McKinley."

First published in 1944, this book is a record of observations made by an astute naturalist bent upon discovering how the animals live, what they eat, where they range, when they give birth, and, most importantly, how they feed upon one another to maintain a healthy and natural population balance. Not a few myths about prey and predator are dispelled by Murie's objective observations, which include examining the contents of scats and stomachs.

Murie does not preach environmentalism, but a careful reading of this book should leave the reader with new insights into the natural world and may make him or her just a little more hesitant to intrude destructively into what is actually a highly complex interrelationship among many species inhabiting the few wild spaces left to them. Murie's approach to his study is highly objective and non-judgmental, however, and another reader could probably come away with insights different from mine. Still, I can scarcely conceive of any reader's coming away from this book with no new insight of some sort!

Customer Reviews:

Denali Journal.......2000-08-07

Denali Journal, a Thoughtful Look at Wildlife in Alaska's Majestic National Park allowed me to relive my experience in Denali!

On my flight home from a recent trip to Alaska, I began reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed Tom Walker's experiences and interpretation of Denali National Park.

This book is written in "diary form" so you can see the difference each month has to offer.

I took the all day bus ride the book refers to. Even though I was not fortunate enough to see girzzles, moose or caribou up close, I was excited to read that the seeing Mt. McKinley's snow capped mountain surrounded with beautiful blue sky and viewing a red fox, right by the road, were both very rare!

Reading this book makes be want to go back to Denali and spend a few days camping, hiking and experience some of the times he had while getting away from the road.

Customer Reviews:

Mammals of Denali.......1999-12-21

Adolph Murie is one of the greatest naturalists of this century. Gradually, I've been collecting all of his books. Most of his books are reprints of his original government research with hazy old photos, but Mammals is modern and up to date, in a larger format with brilliant color photography. What an excellent addition to my library.

Mammals of Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska

Average customer rating:

Mammals of Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska
Adolph Murie
Manufacturer: Mount McKinley Natural History Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Toklat: The Story of an Alaskan Grizzly Bear

Average customer rating:

Toklat: The Story of an Alaskan Grizzly Bear
Elma Milotte , and Alfred Milotte
Manufacturer: Alaska Northwest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0882403257

Average customer rating:

Worked well for covering so many countries

Vastly overrated

Maps are useless - as are much of the comments

You can't do better

Essential for Planning Our Drive Through Central America

Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring
Robert Reid
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Central America | Latin America | Travel | Subjects | Books
Budget Travel | Specialty Travel | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Travel | Subjects | Books
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Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring

Central America Map (Travel Reference Map)

The Rough Guide to Central America 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Lonely Planet Mexico

Latin American Spanish: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

ASIN: 1741040299

Book Description

Scale Mayan pyramids, worship the sun on palm-fringed shores and chill out in the shade of a smoldering volcano. Whatever your passion, Central America is jam-packed with possibilities. Written by experts who travel on your budget, this guide lets you go further, stay longer and pay less for the adventure of a lifetime.

• EXPLORE IT ALL - in-depth coverage of all seven Central American nations, plus Mexico's Yucatan and Chiapas

• FIND YOUR WAY - 120 user-friendly maps plus detailed bus schedules and crucial border-crossing information

• REST EASY - lodging and restaurants that offer bang for your buck...plus the occasional splurge!

• TALK THE TALK - comprehensive Language, Culture and Conduct sections keep you street-smart and clued-in

Customer Reviews:

Worked well for covering so many countries.......2006-12-14

Last summer, I found this book much more useful for visiting Central America than its Let's Go counterpart which was riddled with more inaccuracies and fewer maps. However, I cannot speak to the Rough Guide, which some seem to prefer. Overall, maps to the major cities are there, and the bus info is very helpfu. Where there aren't maps, navigating becomes much more difficult. For this reason, if visiting many countries, it may be best to pick up country guides along the way. They tend to include more of the details (and more out of the way places) that make getting around much easier.

Vastly overrated.......2006-04-28

I recenty returned from a month long trip through Central America, during which I visited all 7 Central American countries, in this order: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. I brought two guidebooks with me on my trip: this one and the Rough Guide to Central America. I soon found myself using the Rough Guide almost exclusively and this Lonely Planet Guide hardly at all. This was a surprise and a disappointment, because for the last 17 years I have consistently found the Lonely Planet guides to be the ones most consistently most useful for adventurous travelers. But not this one. Here are some of the problems I had with this guide:

--The maps are among the hardest to read and most unintelligible I have ever seen, anywhere. They are all in black and white, with shadings in gray. There is very little variation in font size. It is hard to find anything without poring almost microscopically over the maps.
--The book consistently focuses on the cheapest, most bottom end places, especially when it comes to lodging. Now I suppose I should have been warned by the title, but I honestly didn't expect the book to be so relentlessly downscale. So this is a book only for the truly impoverished. If you want to splurge a little, look in the Rough Guide.
--Like all LP guides, it is not well-organized, so a reader must take his time to get used to finding out where to look for information.

On ths positive side, it is chock full of information for overland travelers and those seeking to venture into the remote areas of the countries visited. But overall, this one is not one of LP's finest publication. Use the Rough Guide instead (see my review there).

Maps are useless - as are much of the comments.......2006-02-07

This has rotten country maps - then try to find the "Highlights" to the countries - like Tikal in Guat. is a highlight - but try and find it on these terrible country maps - that have no ABC-123 coordinates - you spend hours scanning miserable maps trying to figure out where the "Highlights" are - and highlighting them yourself - and yes - they're in the same small font as the rest of the map. And if you're gonna rent a cheap car and drive yourself - there's nothing. Acres of bus crap - no road info.

You can't do better.......2005-04-15

You can't really do better than this book if you're traveling in multiple countries in C.A. Overall, it was an invaluable resource. My complaints are that it almost provides TOO much detail, the kind of things people should find out on their own while they travel. Also, so many people use this book that you'll run into gringos every time you follow their 1st recommendation.

Essential for Planning Our Drive Through Central America.......2005-04-11

We spent four months driving our RV through Central America with this as our primary reference. While short on camping places, it did guide us to interesting destinations (We have subsequently published our RV camping places). Individual country books provided some more information on camping places in some cases.

Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring

Average customer rating:

Use with Caution
Better Take Two Books

Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring
David Zingarelli , and Daniel Schechter
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

Budget Travel | Specialty Travel | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1864501863

Book Description

Poised at the convergence of two continents, Central America lures the intrepid traveler with a centuries-old weave of unique cultural and environment forces. Whether you aim to explore ancient Mayan temples or worship the sun on Caribbean shores, climb to the summit of a smoldering volcano or dive amid spectacular coral reefs, this indispensable guide is your ticket to affordable adventure.

Covers: Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

hundreds of options for saving money on the road
the best spots for scuba diving, wildlife watching, jungle trekking and language study
detailed coverage of the region's national parks and wildlife reserves
up-to-date air, bus and ferry routs and schedules, including border information
110 detailed maps, including major Mayan archaeological sites

Customer Reviews:

Use with Caution.......2002-09-26

Although a solid guide overall, I would recommend that travellers to this region of the world consider the Footprint guide and/or the Let's Go. LP looked to me to be up-to-date, but sadly this was certainly not the case when I hit C.A. last summer (especially in Costa Rica). Busing and transportation information were generally accurate. Costs though were often way off the mark. After looking through the Let's Go guide at the end of my trip, I noted that their prices were much more up-to-date. Don't be fooled into thinking that the LP online updates for this book are helpful.

Also, the LP book lacks serious detail about hotels. Their wording is scant and weak, and I often found myself wondering why they couldn't just get to the point. The Footprint guide is considerably better in this area, as their writers seem to be not as afraid to say what they really think of these places (i.e. they will tell you if a hotel has a reputation for petty theft - LP won't bother).

Overall this book has some good points, but I would recommend that you take another book along with it as a backup (or use this one as a backup). I should point out that this is a great book for someone with a very limited amount of time in each major place, as their agendas are solid. Also, I highly recommend their Latin America Phrasebook. Easy to use and it got me out of a few jams.

Better Take Two Books.......2002-08-09

The Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides are great for backpackers: cheap hotels, restaurants, bus schedules, etc. This book was no exception. The information included was generally very up-to-date and thorough. That said, the LP writers must have been directed to gild the lily whenever possible. More than once I decided to visit a place that LP gushed about only to find myself in either a backwater or a noisy charmless city playing cards until the next day's buses rolled out.

Halfway through my trip I found a used copy of Fodor's UpClose Central America Guide (used to be the Berkeley Guide, remember those?) and bought it. The UpClose Guide, while incomplete, provided much more honest commentary on the places I wanted to visit. The book is no longer in print but you might be able to dig up a used copy somewhere.

I'd still recommend the Shoestring Guide: you need to know where to catch your bus!

Average customer rating:

Travels in Nicaragua and Honduras in January 2000

You can never go wrong with a Lonely Planet guide!

Great companion for a quick journey through Central America

LP - Does it again! Central Am. makes it easy!

Central America on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides)
Rob Rachowiecki , Nancy Keller , and Tom Brosnahan
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Central America | Latin America | Travel | Subjects | Books
Budget Travel | Specialty Travel | Travel | Subjects | Books
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Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring

Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring

ASIN: 0864421222

Amazon.com

You can't go anywhere in Central America without seeing this book poking out of the backpacks of true travelers. With more than 100 easy-to-read maps, historical and cultural information, the goods on the best of low-budget eats and lodging, plus a useful language section, this book might be second in packing priority only to your passport. Lonely Planet's tried-and-true method of organization will help you quickly find out how to "get there and away," get around each of your destinations and, eventually, get home! Researched countries include Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. If your itinerary includes one or more of these places, this book is an indispensable resource.

Book Description

119 Maps

Customer Reviews:

Travels in Nicaragua and Honduras in January 2000.......2001-07-03

My father and I traveled to Nicaragua and Honduras in January 2000. This guide was helpful as a security blanket for information on the different cities and towns we visited, but we couldn't rely much on the lodging, restaurant, and/or transit information due to it being outdated and that natural disasters had changed some of the roads/cities since the book was written.

The information on daytrips was great - we ended up seeing a couple of towns within an easy journey of Teguchigalpa, Honduras and Managua thanks to the LP guide. Especially like the organization of the LP books, which really helped outline an itinerary that made sense prior to our departure. With the "Getting there & away" section about each destination, it was easy to figure out how to modify that itinerary as needed "on the fly."

Previously, I'd used LP for travels in Bolivia and been very impressed with the detail and level of information for La Paz (the capital). We found the level of detail a little lacking in the Central America guide probably because Nicaragua/Honduras were only two small sections of the book. So I guess I'd recommend this book for an overview, but would suggest finding a guide with more current, updated detailed information and/or an increased focus on the country/cities you're visiting.

You can never go wrong with a Lonely Planet guide!.......2001-03-02

I have just returned to Norway after a year backpacking around in Latin America (of course accompanied by the Lonely Planet books). I do not claim to be an expert, but I know what I look for in a travel guide!

This edition of the LP Central America did not disappoint me. I used it, going from Panama to Guatemala by bus(!). It is up to date on the information, and as with all the other LP books it is easy to find your way around with it. It includes maps over the big cities, good information about the hotels, restaurants, places worth visiting, and time schedules for bus, train etc. You have to take into account that this is a guide that is meant to cover the whole Central America so naturally it is not as detailed as the guides for each country separate. It is good as an overall guide if you plan to go to more than one or two countries, as you would try to cut down on the baggage to carry around.

As for the prices for hotels and food, the book is fairly accurate.. It is hard to keep up with all the changes, especially in the Latin American economy, where the inflation is "somewhat" higher than in the rest of the world. So, for prices - if you are on a backpacker-budget, do your own research, or at least be prepared for changes! (We usually multiplied the prices in the book with 1,5 and that gave us a good indicator of what to expect).

You will find that if you are walking around with the LP book under your arm, many of the local people will approach you and ask you if you need help. Say yes - even if you don't need help! It is a great opportunity to get in contact with the local people!

This book is a must on your travel!

Great companion for a quick journey through Central America.......2000-12-27

If you wish to travel through Central America in a rush, this is the best book for you to take. As always, Lonely Planet is unbeatable. On this very region, it is only second to the other Lonely Planet guides on specific countries: Yucatán and Belize, Guatemala, etc. If you need to see it all in one go, and/or don't want to spend too much money or take too much weight, this is the book to take !

LP - Does it again! Central Am. makes it easy!.......2000-03-29

I am doing a PeaceBike trip around the world so I have read a fair share of travel guides. As I am biking I want a guide book that will prepare me for what's ahead and give me just enough tips to make the adventure fun and not a ¨wild hotel¨ chase.

Lonely Planet's Central America on a Shoestring includes everything I need. It has got very detailed maps of almost every town I pass through. It has a section for every town as to where the good eats are and often reviews the vegitarian restaurants which for this vegi-biker is a real treat!

I have found that other guidebook series give you just a few options as far as cheap places to stay but this guidebook gives you at least five places to stay in each town or city that are real bargains.

I like to learn a bit about the country I am going to before I enter it. Central America on a Shoestring has a good little history section for each country as well as many of the sites. This way when you get to Tikal you have a map in hand to follow around the ruins. You have got a concise history of what the place is about plus if you want to stay a little longer that you thought this books adds enough Places To Stay options so that you never have to panic. One other thing I really like about this book (and this may only be of real help to other bikers)is that it often gives road and uphill, downhill information which is vital when you are planning how far you are going each day. Central America on a ShoeString and a few country maps and you are set!

Their huge number of city maps, the mini Spanish language guide, the consistent and thorough sub sections all make this book a must. I might even say, the only. I used this book on my bike trip and I am writing this from Central America and I'm loving it. The book and the region!

Average customer rating:
Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring
David; Schechter, Daniel Zingarelli
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUVVH2

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