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Among Wolves: Gordon Haber's Insights into Alaska's Most Misunderstood Animal
Alaska’s wolves lost their fiercest advocate, Gordon Haber, when his research plane crashed in Denali National Park in 2009. Passionate, tenacious, and occasionally brash, Haber, a former hockey player and park ranger, devoted his life to Denali’s wolves.
He weathered brutal temperatures in the wild to document the wolves and provided exceptional insights into wolf behavior. Haber’s writings and photographs reveal an astonishing degree of cooperation between wolf family members as they hunt, raise pups, and play, social behaviors and traditions previously unknown. With the wolves at risk of being destroyed by hunting and trapping, his studies advocated for a balanced approach to wolf management. His fieldwork registered as one of the longest studies in wildlife science and had a lasting impact on wolf policies.
Haber’s field notes, his extensive journals, and stories from friends all come together in Among Wolves to reveal much about both the wolves he studied and the researcher himself. Wolves continue to fascinate and polarize people, and Haber’s work continues to resonate.
He weathered brutal temperatures in the wild to document the wolves and provided exceptional insights into wolf behavior. Haber’s writings and photographs reveal an astonishing degree of cooperation between wolf family members as they hunt, raise pups, and play, social behaviors and traditions previously unknown. With the wolves at risk of being destroyed by hunting and trapping, his studies advocated for a balanced approach to wolf management. His fieldwork registered as one of the longest studies in wildlife science and had a lasting impact on wolf policies.
Haber’s field notes, his extensive journals, and stories from friends all come together in Among Wolves to reveal much about both the wolves he studied and the researcher himself. Wolves continue to fascinate and polarize people, and Haber’s work continues to resonate.
284 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 16, 2014
I found "Among Wolves" fascinating. I have always loved wolves and the depth of work, insight, and passion Gordon Haber had for the Alaskan wolf population is remarkable. I found it most poignant that there is a description of the days following Haber's plane crash. There are accounts of the wolves howling in mourning as they do when their mate or another of their family group is lost as if they knew how important Gordon Haber was to and for them.
When I picked up this book I wasn't honestly sure I would be able to finish it. It looks intensely academic and slightly boring. The book is essentially a collection of Haber's reports and essays written over the years with short anecdotes from people who knew him and his passionate work. I thought I'd check it out, look at the pictures, maybe skim a few pages. Instead I was astonished to be drawn into the world of Haber and the Alaskan wildlife population. While Haber's research and life's work focused primarily on the wolf population throughout the country (though mostly in Alaska) he understood that the ecosystem and natural food chain had to be studied as well.
The conversational tone that Haber wrote in makes this an easy read. His explanations and details are vivid and so descriptive. It baffles my mind and saddens my heart that his insights were and are ignored. An excellent read that I would recommend to anyone.
When I picked up this book I wasn't honestly sure I would be able to finish it. It looks intensely academic and slightly boring. The book is essentially a collection of Haber's reports and essays written over the years with short anecdotes from people who knew him and his passionate work. I thought I'd check it out, look at the pictures, maybe skim a few pages. Instead I was astonished to be drawn into the world of Haber and the Alaskan wildlife population. While Haber's research and life's work focused primarily on the wolf population throughout the country (though mostly in Alaska) he understood that the ecosystem and natural food chain had to be studied as well.
The conversational tone that Haber wrote in makes this an easy read. His explanations and details are vivid and so descriptive. It baffles my mind and saddens my heart that his insights were and are ignored. An excellent read that I would recommend to anyone.
April 20, 2019
Dr. Gordon Haber studied the Toklat wolves for 43 years, and he fought fiercely to protect them. That ended with his tragic death in 2009. The book was published in 2013, providing an update on Haber's wolves; back then, the pack faced difficulties, but was still alive. It was the same wolf family lineage that Adolph Murie studied in 1939-41, and Haber since 1966. Almost 80 years of continuous study made the Toklat wolves one of the longest-observed mammal families that could compare, perhaps, only to Jane Goodall's chimpanzees. In 2016, the Toklat wolves were gone.
Dr. Haber would be appalled. It's not about numbers and populations, he argued; it's about the community and culture of wolves, the very things that are destroyed through hunting and trapping, through Alaska's predator control program. It's about living, and not merely existing, to quote Haber. Animals are individuals, and their family units have traditions. Why, then, scientists insist on maintaining population numbers instead of preserving their communities? Haber is right. Wolf numbers can rebound quickly, but the species, lacking traditions, will be simplified. Genetics can only do so much.
Dr. Haber would be appalled. It's not about numbers and populations, he argued; it's about the community and culture of wolves, the very things that are destroyed through hunting and trapping, through Alaska's predator control program. It's about living, and not merely existing, to quote Haber. Animals are individuals, and their family units have traditions. Why, then, scientists insist on maintaining population numbers instead of preserving their communities? Haber is right. Wolf numbers can rebound quickly, but the species, lacking traditions, will be simplified. Genetics can only do so much.
March 15, 2018
I loved this book, a truly great read if you want to understand wolves. Read A Wolf Called Romeo, excellent too, and found out about Gordon Haber. We need more people like him to preserve our wildlife and their homes.
February 20, 2024
Because Gordon Haber died in a plane crash a few years ago, this book, although mostly written by Gordon Haber, was put together posthumously by Marybeth Holleman. In this case, it could be excused for being a bit scattered, but it is pretty focused. There is some repetition toward the end, where the author(s) spend some time trying to get their point across, but most of the book is just very engaging. The wolf observations Haber describes are fascinating. I believe the main point of the book is, for wolves, numbers of animals cannot be used as criteria for a healthy population, as is normally done in reviewing the need for endangered species listing or predator control. Wolves are a social species that develops cultures. It is these cultures, that can be destroyed even when wolf population numbers stay the same or increase (which they may do in response to the killing of alpha individuals) that are the real hallmark of the species. One family of wolves used to go up on the high mountain ridges to hunt sheep, but when critical leaders were killed, the younger wolves did not know how to do this, and this ability was not developed again. The length of time that Gordon Haber spent watching the same wolves, from 1966 to 2009, is extraordinary, and he also worked with Adolph Murie, who studied the same wolves before him, starting in 1939. This time span makes Haber’s understanding broad and comprehensive. In addition to wolf observations, the book includes analysis of management strategies against a background of understanding how wolf societies work. At the end of the book there is a summary of all the main points. Wolves in Alaska are cruelly persecuted. In this book, that is not sentimentalized, but presented clearly and made unbearable through the actions of the wolves themselves.
Second reading January 2024
Among Wolves is a difficult book to read. Some parts are just fun and a fascinating look at a species whose lives are usually hidden from us (because we don’t develop our careers to take us near them and then develop the skills and patience and endurance to find and follow them the way Gordon Haber did). The book is a wonderful testament to Gordon Haber and his work. The way it is put together by Marybeth Holleman is easy to read and follow. The introduction was dry and boring and I thought the book itself would be the same, but it was captivating. There is wonderful use of photographs illustrating the narrative. Towards the end the book becomes more difficult to read. This is where it starts shifting from the many facets of the lives of these wolves and their place in the ecosystem to wolf trapping and it use as game management. There aren’t many people who witness the cruelty of trapping. Even the few people who trap don’t always know the individual wolves or see them before killing them. Gordon Haber tells about witnessing trapped wolves and this is raw to read. There is the pain and fear and the horror of being caught for days in a trap. The other effect is the loss of key pack members and obviously very close family members. Gordon Haber documents clear grief of wolves unable to rescue those close to them from traps. He also shows clearly that the packs cannot function when key members are lost. He proposes that the lengthy process of developing hunting techniques and learning aspects of pack territory cannot be sustained in the face of current focused efforts to remove wolves.
Second reading January 2024
Among Wolves is a difficult book to read. Some parts are just fun and a fascinating look at a species whose lives are usually hidden from us (because we don’t develop our careers to take us near them and then develop the skills and patience and endurance to find and follow them the way Gordon Haber did). The book is a wonderful testament to Gordon Haber and his work. The way it is put together by Marybeth Holleman is easy to read and follow. The introduction was dry and boring and I thought the book itself would be the same, but it was captivating. There is wonderful use of photographs illustrating the narrative. Towards the end the book becomes more difficult to read. This is where it starts shifting from the many facets of the lives of these wolves and their place in the ecosystem to wolf trapping and it use as game management. There aren’t many people who witness the cruelty of trapping. Even the few people who trap don’t always know the individual wolves or see them before killing them. Gordon Haber tells about witnessing trapped wolves and this is raw to read. There is the pain and fear and the horror of being caught for days in a trap. The other effect is the loss of key pack members and obviously very close family members. Gordon Haber documents clear grief of wolves unable to rescue those close to them from traps. He also shows clearly that the packs cannot function when key members are lost. He proposes that the lengthy process of developing hunting techniques and learning aspects of pack territory cannot be sustained in the face of current focused efforts to remove wolves.
May 30, 2017
That book was "bang on" addressing my interest in animal sociology/psychology. It was fascinating to read that young pup learns for two years, which is about 25% of total of its life. The family of wolves develops traditions and creates cultures, which are in jeopardy if alfa male/female dies. The wolves spend time playing almost each 30 minutes during their travels. The yearlings take care of the pups. The wolves group cooperates in breeding and hunting. The ending was a little bit repetitive. I loved reading this book.
February 7, 2019
A must read for those who value our natural world.
Among Wolves has given me a heart felt appreciation of the work done by Gorden Haber and a genuine respect for him and the marvellous creatures he dedicated his life to. If you are not a wolf advocate now, you will be after reading this book.
Among Wolves has given me a heart felt appreciation of the work done by Gorden Haber and a genuine respect for him and the marvellous creatures he dedicated his life to. If you are not a wolf advocate now, you will be after reading this book.
March 11, 2026
"We are the ultimate losers from all this wolf killing, I am convinced, for the way it diminishes the ability of our surroundings to evoke the sense of wonder that helps us not just to live, but to be alive." -222
Gordon Haber's research is like nothing I have read before. Not only did I have to come to terms that I knew way less about wolves than I previously thought, but he has also reestablished my expectations for science and research. A field researcher who did not just "passively" observe the wolves he researched. He also called out the horrifying injustices that he saw daily.
If ever one hopes to forget the cruelty of some people, you merely just have to see how they treat others, both human and animal. However, this cruelty doesn't exist in a vacuum and is not indicative of "human nature"; if anything Haber proved that over and over again. Like the wolves he loved and advocated for, people are also highly social, cooperative animals that need one another and animals as well. Even this book would not have existed if not for Marybeth Holleman and the many friends and colleagues of Dr.Haber.
All of this is an extended way to say, if you have ever wondered about the wolf, this is the book to read. And if you have ever wondered about corruption, look no further than the Alaska Department of Fish and Game & NPS allowing the hunting of wolves to the point that pups are gassed in natal dens and people can just shoot wolves from planes. Because nothing says self-defense like killing a wild animal from a machine in the sky.
I hope to see a day where hunting is limited to only that needed for survival and that we don't allow a financially privileged few to destroy and kill entire species, and the planet at large, in the meantime. To guide this home, from the book:
"To ensure their continued presence and vitality, the integrity of important functional characteristics, not merely numbers, must be guarded carefully for each and every species. Otherwise, we might one day find ourselves inhabiting a lonely, deadened planet, where living wildness and all of its gifts will only be a memory. There is cause for much concern, but it is still not too late for us to recognize the difference between life and mere existence." -233
September 12, 2018
So sorry I didn’t see any wolves when in Denali; but time has changed so much since Haber’s death. Fascinating intelligent animals.
December 16, 2021
This book is excellent. This is THEE book to read for anyone looking to really learn about wolf biology and family group dynamics from one of the greatest carnivore biologists of the modern era.
July 18, 2014
This book tells the story of the wolves of Denali National Park. Written mostly by Gordon Haber (taken from his journals, tweets, notes, observations, and blog posts), it looks at the wolves with familiarity (but not contempt), wonder, and passion. Haber followed the wolves year-round in helicopters and on the ground, for over 40 years. He came to know many of them, their families and their lineages.
He writes about wolf "families" because in his decades of observation he understood that wolves are some of the most social and intelligent nonhuman species on the planet, with traditions and long "childhood" learning periods, affectionate and strong relationships among family members (particularly between yearlings and pups, and the reproductive, alpha, pair).
Throughout his years researching wolves, he also campaigned fiercely for them. Through his scientific methods, he discovered that current and common approaches to "managing" wolf populations has terrible known effects on these creatures, and we don't even know all of the consequences that killing (trapping, snaring, aerial hunting, baiting, poisoning, gassing) wolves has for biodiversity on the planet.
I learned so much from Haber's passionate and insightful research and advocacy of the Denali wolves, about their traditions, families, struggles, recreation (they play on average, every 30 minutes!), and about what tragedies humans are visiting these beautiful creatures.
If you're a skeptic, I encourage you to read it to understand what decades of field research can tell us about wolves. If you're already interested in wolves, and in preserving the planet's wildlife, this will be a wonderful and horrifying read, and well worth it, too.
He writes about wolf "families" because in his decades of observation he understood that wolves are some of the most social and intelligent nonhuman species on the planet, with traditions and long "childhood" learning periods, affectionate and strong relationships among family members (particularly between yearlings and pups, and the reproductive, alpha, pair).
Throughout his years researching wolves, he also campaigned fiercely for them. Through his scientific methods, he discovered that current and common approaches to "managing" wolf populations has terrible known effects on these creatures, and we don't even know all of the consequences that killing (trapping, snaring, aerial hunting, baiting, poisoning, gassing) wolves has for biodiversity on the planet.
I learned so much from Haber's passionate and insightful research and advocacy of the Denali wolves, about their traditions, families, struggles, recreation (they play on average, every 30 minutes!), and about what tragedies humans are visiting these beautiful creatures.
If you're a skeptic, I encourage you to read it to understand what decades of field research can tell us about wolves. If you're already interested in wolves, and in preserving the planet's wildlife, this will be a wonderful and horrifying read, and well worth it, too.
July 12, 2014
Exceptional book on Gordon Haber and his love of wolves. It's unfortunate that we allow states to destroy our beautiful animals all in the name of HUNTERS. I am horrified by Alaska and their Fish and Game Dept. They are destroying the state and all the beauty it holds. It's a definite read if you enjoy the great outside and wolves in particular. This book will break your heart in good ways and bad.
June 26, 2014
A very readable science book that taught me some interesting information about wolves. Also, a nice tribute to a remarkable and important field scientist, who easily should have had another 10 years of contributions to make. Too bad he died prematurely. Alaska's wolves are surely suffering for Haber's loss.
October 10, 2014
Really enjoying this one. Had no idea wolves were this intelligent or social. (Side note for SciFi fans... this book makes the Tines of "A Fire Upon The Deep" seem like a lot less of a stretch than I had thought.)
April 2, 2014
Quite simply the finest book about wolves I have ever read. I learned more about wolf society and biology from this book than the previous fifty years of reading and documentaries combined.
May 10, 2014
Great book for those interested in natural history and especially wolf behavior, family dynamics etc. Written with a scientist's perspective, yet for the layman.
October 12, 2015
Fascinating, well written. An especially good read for Alaskans.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews