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Hidden Life of Wolves, The
For conservationists and lovers of animals, nature, and especially dogs, this National Geographic book shares the surprising understanding of wild wolves gained over six years the authors spent living intimately with them. Delve into Jim and Jamie Dutcher’s amazing wolf photography documenting a pack of wolves at the edge of Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness, illuminating their complex social hierarchy. Here is the alpha pair, leaders of the pack, often the only couple that mate. Here are the pups, born with eyes shut in the spring, tousled by their mother through the first six weeks of life. Here is the omega wolf, lowest ranking wolf in the pack, whose subservience, often playful, alleviates pack tension. Here are moments of cooperation and moments of snarling dominance, moments of communication and affection. Here, too, are heartwarming moments of connection between the Dutchers and the wolves, caught in pictures that remind us how close the links are between wolves in the wild and the beloved family dog.
Short chapters introduce the wolves as individuals, describe the Dutchers' years of coming to know them, and address the complex conservation issues surrounding the near-extinction and now replenishment of the species in the wild. Sidebars explore myths about wolves, including Native American spirit stories, European fairy tales, and modern ranching hearsay.
Short chapters introduce the wolves as individuals, describe the Dutchers' years of coming to know them, and address the complex conservation issues surrounding the near-extinction and now replenishment of the species in the wild. Sidebars explore myths about wolves, including Native American spirit stories, European fairy tales, and modern ranching hearsay.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2013
18 people are currently reading
583 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Dutcher
9 books19 followersAfter an award-winning filmmaking career, Jim and Jamie Dutcher turned their energies to a life-altering focus: the wolf. Armed with a Forest Service permit, they lived in a tented camp bordering Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness. For six years, they documented the social hierarchy and behavior of the Sawtooth Pack, wolves they bottle-fed as pups. The Dutchers’ extraordinary experiences with what they discovered to be intelligent and compassionate animals led to three Emmy Award-winning documentaries.
Yet with wolves still persecuted by a mostly fearful and misinformed public, the Dutchers knew they needed to do more. In 2005, they founded Living With Wolves. A nonprofit that addresses the complex issues surrounding the historical eradication and Endangered Species reintroduction of wolves, Living With Wolves battles laws that allow the brutal hunting of these beautiful animals.
Yet with wolves still persecuted by a mostly fearful and misinformed public, the Dutchers knew they needed to do more. In 2005, they founded Living With Wolves. A nonprofit that addresses the complex issues surrounding the historical eradication and Endangered Species reintroduction of wolves, Living With Wolves battles laws that allow the brutal hunting of these beautiful animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 2, 2019
Da circa vent'anni Jim e Jamie Dutcher, naturalisti ed autori di documentari, si occupano dello studio del comportamento dei lupi grigi nonché della loro protezione e reintroduzione nei vari Stati americani. In questo libro i Dutcher descrivono, dopo aver vissuto in un accampamento nelle Sawtooth Mountains dell'Idaho insieme ad un branco di lupi, la vita emotiva e sociale di questo branco chiamato Sawtooth Pack. Nonostante non bisognerebbe mai entrare in contatto con gli animali selvaggi per non abituarli al contatto umano, questa coppia lo fa con discrezione e rispetto documentando comportamenti fin ora raramente osservati come l'afflizione per la morte di un compagno di branco, l'amore per il gioco, la cura verso i cuccioli da parte di tutti i componenti, le gerarchie sociali. Tutto ciò allo scopo di riabilitare la figura di questo animale selvaggio negli Stati Uniti, paese nel quale il lupo è stato crudelmente cacciato e ridotto a pochissimi esemplari a causa dell'ignoranza e della superstizione. Viene spiegato il concetto delle cascate trofiche e dell'importanza della reintroduzione di questo animale in natura per riequilibrare i giusti livelli di flora e fauna. È un bellissimo libro, con foto molto belle e contenuti importanti ma, purtroppo, con un finale non troppo ottimista. Essendo stato scritto nel 2013 speravo che ad oggi, dopo 6 anni, la situazione fosse leggermente cambiata negli USA ma noto con grande rammarico che non c'è possibilità di recupero per quella nazione dove le armi e la mancanza di cultura creano ancora troppi danni.
May 30, 2016
Some days I'm just embarrassed to be a human being.
March 8, 2013
This book made me want to petition congress in outrage over how these beautiful creatures have been treated. A wonderful insight into the lives of wolves, great photography too, but also heartbreaking and informative about their plight and struggle to not be hated by all ignorant humans. Wolves are very misunderstood but they are vital to the ecosystem and people need to understand that.
January 6, 2021
Unfortunately, this book is firmly based on extremely outdated science concerning wolves (The Alpha/Omega garbage). Immediately upon opening the book they start with this stuff. It is really disappointing considering the fact that this book is published through NatGeo and that it's a recent publication, within the last ten years. The fact that it's still in publications by "conservationists" and still touted by dog trainers is deeply unsettling and harmful to both preservation of species and to the friends we share our homes with.
Its well known by industry people that this information is really incorrect and has no bearing on real wolf packs and family groups, let alone pets.
The two stars are for the beautiful photographs only.
Its well known by industry people that this information is really incorrect and has no bearing on real wolf packs and family groups, let alone pets.
The two stars are for the beautiful photographs only.
April 12, 2015
Beautiful book with beautiful photography. such an interesting read.
February 18, 2023
After having listened the Wisdom of wolves, by the same authors, I wanted to also have a picture book with the Sawtooth Pack. I painstakingly found this at a second hand shop, as it is sadly out of print.
It has been everything. Beautiful images with the pack, a lot of information on the pack itself, on the wolf in general, the history of the wolf in North America and misconceptions.
As always, it shows how we, the white men, have completely missed the mark and got everything wrong. The more I learn about the world the more ashamed I am of our ego, sense of entitlement because God, and complete ignorance to the world around us. There’s not a single thing we’ve touched throughout history, that we can say we’ve made it better. None.
The wolves are not what they’ve been portrayed to be. They are social creatures, completely devoted to the pack, selfless, skilled hunters, and crucial part of the ecosystem of the forest. They are the ancestors of your beloved furry friend.
Jamie and Jim’s Dutcher work has been so pivotal to understanding the behaviour of wolves, and I cannot but think in awe at the amazing experience they might have had. I hope that Billy Bob will open his ignorant white ears and learn more about this animal before carrying bumperstickers with “No wolves”. I do hope that the societal perception will shift.
It has been everything. Beautiful images with the pack, a lot of information on the pack itself, on the wolf in general, the history of the wolf in North America and misconceptions.
As always, it shows how we, the white men, have completely missed the mark and got everything wrong. The more I learn about the world the more ashamed I am of our ego, sense of entitlement because God, and complete ignorance to the world around us. There’s not a single thing we’ve touched throughout history, that we can say we’ve made it better. None.
The wolves are not what they’ve been portrayed to be. They are social creatures, completely devoted to the pack, selfless, skilled hunters, and crucial part of the ecosystem of the forest. They are the ancestors of your beloved furry friend.
Jamie and Jim’s Dutcher work has been so pivotal to understanding the behaviour of wolves, and I cannot but think in awe at the amazing experience they might have had. I hope that Billy Bob will open his ignorant white ears and learn more about this animal before carrying bumperstickers with “No wolves”. I do hope that the societal perception will shift.
May 16, 2018
The Dutchers are great writers, but this book shows they are even better photographers
I'm a big fan of the Dutchers, from The Wisdom of Wolves: Lessons from the Sawtooth Pack, to their documentary Rocky Mountain Beaver Pond.
But if I had to assess their greatest strength, other than wolf conservationists, I'd say it would be photography, and this is the way to see it. The pages are long, and the photographs are beyond evocative.
The critics may say the Dutchers are putting wolves in an artificial environment - and they are. They live with these wolves in a protected enclosure, and interact with them regularly.
But the critics miss the point - this is a world that often no longer holds a place for wolves, and the Dutchers are doing the best they can to connect with these creatures, and show what they can bring to the world.
So a great book - whether you love wolves, like them, want to like them, or know someone who might fall into one of these categories.
I'm a big fan of the Dutchers, from The Wisdom of Wolves: Lessons from the Sawtooth Pack, to their documentary Rocky Mountain Beaver Pond.
But if I had to assess their greatest strength, other than wolf conservationists, I'd say it would be photography, and this is the way to see it. The pages are long, and the photographs are beyond evocative.
The critics may say the Dutchers are putting wolves in an artificial environment - and they are. They live with these wolves in a protected enclosure, and interact with them regularly.
But the critics miss the point - this is a world that often no longer holds a place for wolves, and the Dutchers are doing the best they can to connect with these creatures, and show what they can bring to the world.
So a great book - whether you love wolves, like them, want to like them, or know someone who might fall into one of these categories.
May 20, 2024
This book tried to be an insight into the authors' experience with the Sawtooth Pack that they essentially built and raised and let remain wild while also being a plea to protect wolves. Unfortunately, while both are worth learning about, the book itself feels disjointed and heavy and leans in to the pathos a little too hard. Almost every photo caption is pulled from the text, which makes reading this feel repetitive like a children's textbook. My edition also has a sentence that just ends mid-stream on page 64 and does not ever get finished in the book, which is extremely disappointing considering this was published by National Geographic.
I loved the photos and insights from the Dutchers on their experiences with the pack. And I completely understand why we should all care that the wolf population is allowed to return and thrive. And I find it incomprehensibly evil that in a budget bill, it was put forth and passed that wolves are no longer protected in the US by the Endangered Species Act. But the book itself is meh. It's too depressing to recommend to kids and not thought-provoking enough to recommend to adults.
I loved the photos and insights from the Dutchers on their experiences with the pack. And I completely understand why we should all care that the wolf population is allowed to return and thrive. And I find it incomprehensibly evil that in a budget bill, it was put forth and passed that wolves are no longer protected in the US by the Endangered Species Act. But the book itself is meh. It's too depressing to recommend to kids and not thought-provoking enough to recommend to adults.
June 28, 2022
Such an interesting beautiful book with a powerful message. It revealed so many touching stories about the loving nature of wolves within the pack, but also brought to light many myths and problems that they debunked and opposed with well-written points and evidence. Really changed my view of wolves and the distorted judgement they receive under false pretenses. Wolves are beautiful clever creatures that are honored in this must-read.
March 22, 2013
This is a beautiful well-researched book on the Sawtooth Pack, a group of wolves reintroduced into the he Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho in 1990 by Jim and Jamie Dutcher. The book deals with the myths, misconceptions and human attitudes towards wolves and details the emotional and social lives of the Sawtooth Pack. Reading The Hidden Life of Wolves brought me joy and enthusiasm for what the Dutchers have accomplished and deep sorrow for the plight of wolves. I also gained some amazing insight into what biologists call a “trophic cascade” (i.e., a chain reaction that ripples through an ecosystem) and how wolves are key players in bring ecosystems back in balance.
Nowhere has the phenomenon of trophic cascades been studied more closely than in Yellowstone National Park. In less than two decades, the region went from having no wolves at all to having one of the highest concentrations of wolves in the world. …(With the reintroduction of wolves) … areas along stream banks that were previously heavily impacted by elk, willows and aspen began to return. When their favorite food and building material reappeared, beavers flourished, engineering broad wetlands that attracted frogs, swans, and sandhill cranes. Stream banks once picked clear of vegetation and eroded by hooves erupted in wildflowers, which nourished insects, which in turn fed songbirds that nested among the thick willows. The water below now became shaded, cool and clear – a better habitat for aquatic-born insects.
June 29, 2013
First off, The Hidden Life of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher is a fantastic book. I've read numerous books about wolves and this offers the most balanced presentation of the past, present, and future of North Americas top predator-wolves. This is essential reading for those on both sides of the controversy about wolf re-introduction and the recent delisting for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Sadly, a good majority of the wolves in North America have been indiscriminantly slaughtered without regard to research. Solid science shows that these top predators are essential for overall ecosystem health (Riggs, 2008), including forests and trees. Furthermore, predation of livestock (a large complaint by those against wolves) by wolves accounts for no more than 10% of ranching losses (official gov't stats). Domestic dogs kill more livestock than wolves, and weather is probably the biggest foe to livestock.
In the end, these beautiful and wild creatures are our heritage and a legacy to passed down to our children's children.
A big 5 stars for the Dutchers. Take a read and get educated.
Check out: Living with Wolves
In the end, these beautiful and wild creatures are our heritage and a legacy to passed down to our children's children.
A big 5 stars for the Dutchers. Take a read and get educated.
Check out: Living with Wolves
April 15, 2013
As one would expect from National Geographic, this book is beautifully designed—I particularly like the horizontal format—and photography is amazing. Thanks the the firsthand account, the material, while chockfull of scientific information, really comes alive. It's clear that wolves in the United States continue to be a controversial issue. This book hopes to educate people about wolves and dispel the misconceptions that have plagued wolves over the centuries. To say that it's unfortunate that their fate became pawn in a game of politics would be an understatement. They were taken off the Endangered Species List because of a rider buried deep inside a Federal Budget bill, not as the result of a research-based decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since then, their population has plummeted and the future of wolves in the U.S. remains uncertain. I hope that this book reaches a few of those ranchers, hunters, lawmakers, and others whose actions affect wolves so that they have the information they need to make informed decisions. The Hidden Life of Wolves has raised my interest to see if, in the future, it will be possible for humans and wolves to co-exist.
August 17, 2014
This books is full of beautiful pictures of wolves, capturing both their personalities and the pack's social dynamics. I appreciated the information on the political and social movement to protect wolves from hunts. I had a nominal amount of information on this topic prior to reading the book and considered myself to be a self-described "fence rider" on the subject. After reading the book and the solid points made against hunting wolves, I do feel moved toward the side of supporting the continued protection of wolves. Worth the read!
September 12, 2015
"ஓநாய்"களைப் பற்றியும், அதன் குழு வாழ்க்கையும் குறித்து அறிந்துகொள்ள இது ஒரு அருமையான புத்தகம். ஆல்பா, ஒமேகா ஓநாய் பற்றிப் படிக்கும்போது. தமிழ்நாட்டின் அரசியல் வியாதிகள் மனதில் வந்துபோவதை தவிர்க்க முடியவில்லை.
19ம் நூற்றாண்டில் வடஅமெரிக்காவில் விரட்டி விரட்டி கொல்லப்பட்ட இனம். ஒரு சமயத்தில் ஓநாய்களே அங்கு இல்லை என்றான பிறகு வழக்கம்போல உலகத்தை மட்டுமல்ல ஓநாய்களையும் நாங்கள்தான் காப்போம் என கனடாவில் இருந்து கொண்டுவந்து இப்போது கணிசமான எண்ணிக்கையில் பெருகியுள்ளன.
19ம் நூற்றாண்டில் வடஅமெரிக்காவில் விரட்டி விரட்டி கொல்லப்பட்ட இனம். ஒரு சமயத்தில் ஓநாய்களே அங்கு இல்லை என்றான பிறகு வழக்கம்போல உலகத்தை மட்டுமல்ல ஓநாய்களையும் நாங்கள்தான் காப்போம் என கனடாவில் இருந்து கொண்டுவந்து இப்போது கணிசமான எண்ணிக்கையில் பெருகியுள்ளன.
September 10, 2016
Fantastic photos. This book shows a true love and understanding of the wolves; I wanted to go live with and meet them. This book makes me both sad and angry. What we have done and continue to do to the wolves and to any species we fear and believe is in our way is unconscionable. This is a small microcosm of the way we humans treat the world we have been given, environmentally, animals, and other humans.
March 24, 2015
This book had beautiful photography, and I greatly admire what the Dutcher's have done for us all.
December 30, 2020
An interesting book with very sad facts.
September 8, 2019
It is now 100% official. I declare it to be so this 7th day of September, 2019.
I love animals more than people.
By a long shot...miles...light years really.
Upon finishing this book, I’m even leaning toward a hatred of human beings.
But that isn’t the crux or aim of this book.
(Or maybe it is...I’m not sure. I’ve loved wolves since the seventh grade when I picked them for my endangered species report. This was around 1993 when they had just been introduced back into Yellowstone. I grew up hunting, living in a farming and ranching community which seems to be the part of the population who loathe wolves. I may be an anomaly as I was not angered by the “bunny loving” rhetoric. But, there are data and anecdotal evidence to support the views in this book...so who knows...)
This book is a history of our relationship with wolves in the United States and documentation of a pack of wolves that were observed by a husband and wife filmmaking team from 1991-1996.
I felt a range of emotions while reading. I felt like I was looking through a family photo album at times - warm heart glow. Then I was saddened, horrified, angry, inspired, intrigued.
I’ll be heading to this website to connect with the authors and do what I can to help keep wolves around.
www.livingwithwolves.org
Side note- have you watched the video “How wolves change rivers”? Google it. It will take 4 minutes of your life and it is the big take away from this book.
Everything is connected and we may not understand the impact of one species until it’s gone.
I love animals more than people.
By a long shot...miles...light years really.
Upon finishing this book, I’m even leaning toward a hatred of human beings.
But that isn’t the crux or aim of this book.
(Or maybe it is...I’m not sure. I’ve loved wolves since the seventh grade when I picked them for my endangered species report. This was around 1993 when they had just been introduced back into Yellowstone. I grew up hunting, living in a farming and ranching community which seems to be the part of the population who loathe wolves. I may be an anomaly as I was not angered by the “bunny loving” rhetoric. But, there are data and anecdotal evidence to support the views in this book...so who knows...)
This book is a history of our relationship with wolves in the United States and documentation of a pack of wolves that were observed by a husband and wife filmmaking team from 1991-1996.
I felt a range of emotions while reading. I felt like I was looking through a family photo album at times - warm heart glow. Then I was saddened, horrified, angry, inspired, intrigued.
I’ll be heading to this website to connect with the authors and do what I can to help keep wolves around.
www.livingwithwolves.org
Side note- have you watched the video “How wolves change rivers”? Google it. It will take 4 minutes of your life and it is the big take away from this book.
Everything is connected and we may not understand the impact of one species until it’s gone.
January 16, 2023
Hardcover
National Geographic publication with a foreword by Robert Redford.
Film makers Jim and Jamie Dutcher document the unseen lives of wolves while living in their midst. While primarily about the Sawtooth Pack, the book also documents the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park and its cascading impact on elk populations, birds of prey, pronghorn, aspen trees, and even trout.
The book provides information that can change misguided perceptions of the demonization of wolves.
RECOMMEND
National Geographic publication with a foreword by Robert Redford.
Film makers Jim and Jamie Dutcher document the unseen lives of wolves while living in their midst. While primarily about the Sawtooth Pack, the book also documents the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park and its cascading impact on elk populations, birds of prey, pronghorn, aspen trees, and even trout.
The book provides information that can change misguided perceptions of the demonization of wolves.
RECOMMEND
January 12, 2020
Very educational, and very fascinating. I got to spend a weekend in Yellowstone a few years ago with the wolf watchers group, and it was the coolest experience of my life. I've loved learning about them ever since. This book addresses both sides of the wolf controversy and while it validates concerns, it also proposes solutions and facts about the reality of wolves from an intimate, first-hand experience. Am I pro wolf? Absolutely. They belong in our forests.
February 8, 2020
Very well written with beautiful pictures. This explains the amazing lives of wolves and how their presence can effect the the land around them to such a degree that when they were gone, the land ended up suffering. I found this book very informative and I can only hope it opens the eyes up of those who think the wolves should be eradicated.
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June 14, 2019It's an amazing book filled with the animals that I admire the most because they are the best in my words and I'm searching and learning about them but in books they have more details about them and it's a really great book to read so I'm looking for a part two so I can learn all about them.☺
July 23, 2023
A beautiful look into the lives of wolves - at times funny and light hearted, in others tragic, but factual. Educational, and presented so well, a small window into the lives of these amazing animals.
February 7, 2017
If this book does not fascinate and infuriate and make you want DO something, then you are still deafened by the artifice of our "civilized" lives.
October 28, 2017
Wow - so much I did not know. Little Red Riding Hood lied!
May 10, 2018
What I learned: people suck and wolves are awesome, but I already know that. Anyway, Happy reading!
May 31, 2019
Record of an impressive experience and a insightful look into the social structure and life of a pack (family) of wolves.
June 7, 2019
Amazing book animal lovers and nature lovers. This book has increased my faith in a possible improvement in the relationship man vs. nature, maybe someday... Wonderful pics and story ❤️
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November 26, 2019Loved the photos. Such a heart breaking story. People are the worst.
November 6, 2020
Bummer that they were hand raised
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews