The Beast in the Garden: The True Story of a Predator’s Deadly Return to Suburban America by David Baron

Publication date / length: 2004 / 242

Summary: (according to Amazon):  The time: the late 1980s. The place: Boulder, Colorado.

When residents report cats as massive as African leopards in their yards and driveways, it becomes clear that mountain lions (cougars, pumas, panthers) are repopulating the land, rebounding after decades of persecution and bounty hunting. To inhabitants of the environmentally aware city of Boulder, the lions’ return is cause for celebration — initially. As the massive cats take up residence among houses and feast on pets, the animals’ presence turns ominous, provoking political battles and culminating in the unthinkable — the death of a young athlete, hunted by a lion behind a nearby high school.

First line: The Colorado sun burned through a mantle of winter gloom, dappling the rocks, the trees, the snow with a warm glow, giving an air of spring to the January hillside.

Review: A few years ago, when my husband and I fell in love with our new home, the thought of mountain lions never crossed my mind. A year later, while walking the lot with our builder, I noticed quite a few large feline prints (distinguishable from canines due to the lack of claw marks), and my fears began. Growing up in the Midwest, cougars were never an issue — or even on my radar. But once we decided to move two unsuspecting horses to the heart of cougar country, let’s just say I became a bit obsessed. My worst fear was that the resident lions would take a look at my two smallish horses and think, Burger King’s moved to the neighborhood!

As a result, we rescued two Rhodesian Ridgeback-mixes (a breed used in South Africa to keep lions away from livestock), installed motion-sensor lights, bought mace and an airhorn, and are very vigilant at dawn and dusk. Since we moved in — almost 3 months ago — we’ve not seen any additional tracks, although the pups have found plenty of evidence that our neighbor’s empty lot has seen the demise of a mule deer or two.

So, when Temple Grandin recommended Beast in the Garden near the end of her Animals Make Us Human, I immediately ordered it from the library and read it in one sitting. And, even if you are not harboring (not so) secret fears about mountain lions, I strongly recommend this work as a fascinating study of predation in our country, the on-going conflict Americans grapple with regarding displaced populations, and as an incredibly fast-paced, suspenseful story.

Baron opens his work with the first recorded human fatality by a mountain lion in Colorado. In 1991, a high school athlete was killed while jogging. The attack occurred in the middle of the day, within yards of a high school, and the victim was a physically fit young male — the lion was a 2 year old healthy male. All of these facts contradicted widely accepted beliefs about lions — that they hunt during dawn and dusk, are afraid of humans and only attack small children.   Baron then flashes back to explain the forces that resulted in a tragedy that could have been prevented.

Beyond the fascinating study of lions presented, Garden explores the city of Boulder — recently named the happiest city in the U.S.  Boulder was created as an “Eden” — an urban wilderness where wildlife and humanity could peaceably co-exist. Surrounded by a “green belt” (or “Open Space” as parks are referred to in Colorado) with strict “no hunting” laws, the mule deer population (which I see almost daily — small deer with huge ears) quickly exploded. Although large predators such as wolf and lion were largely exterminated in the eighteenth century, enough lions survived to appreciate the tolerant, pacifist philosophy of the residents of Boulder and soon joined the neighborhood.

Unlike me, the residents of Boulder were not wracked with fear when the first lions started appearing — on their driveways, in their yards, on their decks. At first, people were fascinated and encouraged that humans and animals could co-exist. After all, lions were thought to be deathly afraid of humans and dogs — until they weren’t. The lions quickly “habituated” to their new environment once they realized the community did not intend to harm them. Soon, lionesses were teaching their cubs that family dogs were easy prey. Since Garden opens with Scott Lancaster’s death, the suspense throughout the book is palpable. Readers can’t help but warn the residents — “Get that lion off your porch! Bring in your dog! Call 911!” However, the Division of Wildlife’s reaction was understandable, if misguided — the Divison’s reaction was, “You wanted to live among the deer; lions follow the prey.” However, even the division had no idea that the lions’ “prey” would so quickly adapt.

So, even if you live in Chicago, NYC, or Detroit (notice I did not include L.A., where lions have been sighted more than once), I recommend Garden as a fascinating study into our relationship with nature as well as a gripping tale of suspense and tragedy.

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Beast in the Garden: Review

Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals by Temple Grandin

Pages / Publication: 301 pp / 2009

Summary (according to Amazon): In her groundbreaking, best-selling book Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin drew on her own experience with autism as well as her experience as an animal scientist to deliver extraordinary insights into how animals think, act, and feel. Now she builds on those insights to show us how to give our animals the best and happiest life–on their terms, not ours. Knowing what causes animals physical pain is usually easy, but pinpointing emotional distress is much harder. Drawing on the latest research and her own work, Grandin identifies the core emotional needs of animals and then explains how to fulfill the specific needs of dogs and cats, horses, farm animals, zoo animals, and even wildlife. Whether it’s how to make the healthiest environment for the dog you must leave alone most of the day, how to keep pigs from being bored, or how to know if the lion pacing in the zoo is miserable or just exercising, Grandin teaches us to challenge our assumptions about animal contentment and honor our bond with our fellow creatures.

First Sentence: What does an animal need to have a good life?

Review: Recently my husband noted that much of what I have been reading lately would not necessarily be chosen by a book club.  He wondered if the focus of my site had shifted a bit over the course of the fall.  A number of influences have conspired to distract me from my usual “book club hits” that I am usually drawn toward.  First, last spring I was hired by Shelf Awareness as a book reviewer — a job I absolutely love that has dominated my reading choices the past few months.  Since they had more than enough fiction reviewers, I agreed to read just about everything else…  And have loved reading memoir, sociology, sports, cookbooks, and everything else sent to me.  Some of these books would be excellent, non-traditional, unexpected picks for a book club and I will soon create a list of these soon.

The second great change in my life occurred in the form of a cross-country move to 35 acres in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  For the first time in my life, I am responsible for the care and well-being of two horses and two dogs and this has occupied my attention and time quite thoroughly (and blissfully).

So, in light of my new life of animal husbandry, I finally decided to check out Temple Grandin’s work in an attempt to create the best home for my furry family (and due to a long-standing curiosity about her work).  Enter: Animals Make Us Human!

Grandin’s latest work explores the inner life of six different species: dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.  She begins with a chapter on what all animals need mentally to thrive (the freedom to express normal behavior and freedom from fear and distress) and then explores how these needs can best be nurtured in different species, whether domesticated, agricultural, true wildlife or those animals in zoos.

Grandin has spent many years working with the animal industry to create humane living (and slaughtering) conditions and even the species not a part of my life were fascinating to learn about.  Although I assumed I would know the information on dogs and horses, I learned much more than expected.  For example, my dogs need to roam — I now have the perfect setting with 35 acres, no traffic, and very few neighbors.  However, my fear of predators (mountain lion and bear prints appear within a mile of our house) and of barbed wire have limited Hogan and Teo’s movements — especially Teo’s, who seems to lose her hearing once off-leash.  My horses actually have a great life, but Grandin (who has lived in Colorado for years) answered many of my questions about how to support healthy pastures in a high-desert climate.

I’ll admit, as a life-long vegetarian, I had to skim a few parts of the chicken chapter.  My new home is surrounded by beef cattle who roam freely (even up to my windows!) and clearly have a wonderful life “pre-hamburger.”  Although I would still not be comfortable eating animals, I am very comfortable with a meat industry that treats its clients humanely and understand the symbiotic relationship the land, animals and humans should have.

Overall I truly loved reading this and have already requested Animals in Translation from my library.  I do think this would be a good choice for a book club, actually.  Moral questions abound and even readers without pets would find quite a bit to discuss.

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Animals Make Us Human: Review

Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of the World’s Smartest Horse by Mim Eichler Rivas

Publication date/ Length: 2006 / 368 pages

Synopsis (from Amazon): Beautiful Jim Key — the one-time ugly duckling of a scrub colt who became one of the most beloved heroes of the turn of the century — was adored not for his beauty and speed but rather for his remarkable abilities to read, write, spell, do mathematics, even debate politics. Trained with patience and kindness by one of the most renowned horse whisperers of his day — former slave, Civil War veteran, and self-taught veterinarian Dr. William Key — Jim performed in expositions across the country to wildly receptive crowds for nine glorious years, smashing box office records, clearing towering hurdles of skepticism and prejudice, and earning the respect and admiration of some of the most influential figures of the era, from Booker T. Washington to President William McKinley.

Review: I finally feel settled enough to publish two reviews a week again — yippee!!  Just a refresher — my Sunday Salon reviews are books that I have checked out from the library or borrowed from a friend, so they are not available for me to give away to readers.  Hopefully the Sunday Salon reviews spark ideas for you and your book club!  So, on to my review!

I love horses and have two of my own, but when my new riding partner told me about a horse from the turn of the nineteenth century that could spell, count, and even compute, I was highly suspect.   However, after reading Beautiful Jim Key, I was convinced (and hooked) by this wonderful story.

This amazing horse was thought to have the IQ of a sixth grader and was a natural performer.  The life story of his trainer, Dr. William Key, a self-taught veterinarian, former slave, Civil War veteran, entrepreneur, and horse trainer extraordinaire, was as gripping as the colt he taught to tell time.  Beautiful Jim Key is a wonderful representation of history, as well, as Rivas explores the influences of the time and how these two “Keys” helped strengthen the view that animals were worthy of humane treatment.

Anyone who enjoyed Seabiscuit and Devil in the White City would most likely enjoy Jim Key, too.

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Beautiful Jim Key: Review

Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body’s Defenses to Live Longer, Stronger, and Disease Free by Joel Fuhrman

Publication date / length: 2011 / 288

Summary (according to Amazon): Why do some of us get sick with greater frequency than others? What makes us more susceptible to illness? Are we doomed to get sick when our coworkers and family members do? Is there a secret to staying healthy? Joel Fuhrman, M.D., a leading expert and board-certified medical specialist in prevention and reversing disease, offers a comprehensive guide to superior health. Based on the latest scientific research, Super Immunity shows us how we can become almost totally resistant to colds, influenza, and other infections.

Review:

About 10-15 years ago I read Andrew Weil’s  8 Weeks to Optimum Health and revolutionized my diet.  After reading Joel Fuhrman’s Super Immunity, my diet will go through another welcome transformation, and I’ve already recommended Fuhrman’s work to many family members.

Fuhrman (an M.D.) has done extensive research indicating that our health is intimately connected to our diet.  This assertion is not surprising, but the depth of his evidence that our diet can not only prevent colds, influenza, infection, and cancer, but alleviate chronic illnesses like colitis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis is impossible to dismiss.  His underlying premise is that we need to eliminate as many animal products as possible (he would say entirely) and instead “super charge our immune system” through vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and beans.

He focuses chapters on why food equals health and why the use of antibiotics and flu shots are counterproductive and even detrimental to our current and future health.  He then explores which foods are “super foods” — packing the most nutritional value for the lowest calories — and why we need more fat and less protein than modern diet gurus proport.  At the end he includes many recipes that incorporate his recommended super foods, including a day-by-day menu to help readers with their transition.

I was extremely receptive to his research.  As a vegetarian for the last 24 years and someone who finds the connection between health and diet fascinating, I was thrilled when TLC Book Tours asked me if I would like to read Fuhrman’s work.  I found it mostly complimentary to Andrew Weil’s research — with the exception of olive oil.  Fuhrman believes that ANY processed food should be limited — but otherwise his focus on cruciferous vegetables, mushrooms, onions, garlic, beans, nuts, and seeds (all foods I happen to love) was quite compatible with Weil’s vision.

My only caveat is that while Weil’s recipes are simple and user-friendly, Fuhrman’s would need a bit more time and effort.  His recipes have many ingredients, so while preparation seemed easy enough, hunting down Dr. Fuhrman’s VegiZest or MatoZest might be initially intimidating.  Fortunately, he does provide alternative ingredients and preparation appears to be quite user-friendly.

So, I whole-heartedly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in boosting immunity and living a healthier, illness-free life.  And, honestly, who isn’t?  I’m afraid this one isn’t available as a free giveaway — I have too many people I want to loan it to!

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Super Immunity: Review

Room by Emma Donoghue

Publication date/ Length: 2010 / 321 pages

First line: Today I’m five.

Synopsis (from the jacket cover): To five-year-old Jack, room is the world. 

Review:  When a book gets as much critical and popular acclaim as Room, I’m always a bit wary.  Then, the very little I knew about the premise kept me away for quite a few months. I eventually checked it out on CD from the library, but couldn’t take the reader’s voice (actually a little boy or an adult trying to be a little boy?).  Then, my friend loaned me a copy at dinner with the perfect comment: “I’ll need this back right away.”  So, knowing I would be seeing my friend in just over a week, I could stall no longer.

Room literally took my breath away at times.  The narration is incredibly suspenseful, terrifying, and compelling — and then placing a 5 year old boy as the one and only narrator was remarkable.  Remarkable that Donoghue could create such an authentic voice and perspective — remarkable that she knew this would be the only way for the reader to survive the reality that Jack and his mother endured.  Why? Because Jack only had his own life as a reference.  So, while we adult readers fully understand the ramifications of the Room, Jack only knows his own routine and experiences.

I really can’t share the details of the narrative, but this novel has two distinct halves and as suspenseful and gripping as the first half is, the second half is even more compelling psychologically. This is a novel that you would want to discuss after every page — if you were able to put it down — and then spend hours discussing once finished.  A perfect book club choice in every way — after you are able to convince your club to endure the premise.

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Room: Review