Grizzly Confidential: An Astounding Journey into the Secret Life of North America’s Most Fearsome Predator

by Kevin Grange

In?Grizzly Confidential, author Kevin Grange—former paramedic and park ranger at Yellowstone and Grand Teton—comes face-to-face with North America’s most fearsome predator, Ursus Arctos.

His quest takes him from his home in the Tetons to an eerie, mist-shrouded island of gigantic bruins; from the Bear Center at Washington State University—where scientists believe the secrets of hibernation might help treat diabetes, heart disease, and obesity in humans—to the dark underbelly of for-profit wildlife parks, illegal animal trade and black markets hawking bear bile.

Along the way, he meets fascinating biologists and activists and discovers that everything he knew about grizzlies was wrong. Ultimately, his odyssey leads him to find answers on a remote corner of the Alaskan Peninsula where, for the last fifty years, humans have coexisted peacefully alongside the largest gathering of brown bears on the planet.?? ??

Grizzly Confidential is about bears but also the inspiring people who look after them. This is a fast-paced, gripping story that educates, entertains, and gives a sneak peek into the secret life of a well-known species. Part science, part travelogue, and a passionate plea for bear conservation, Grizzly Confidential is a lively account for anyone who loves the outdoors and learning about the natural world.?

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Audiobook, Science, Adventure, Natural History

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

Kevin Grange is a firefighter paramedic in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He is the award-winning author of Wild Rescues: A Paramedic's Extreme Adventures in Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton; Lights and Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic; and Beneath Blossom Rain: Discovering Bhutan on the Toughest Trek in the World. He has written for National Parks, Backpacker, Utne Reader, Yoga Journal, and the Orange County Register. He has worked as a park ranger and paramedic at Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Teton National Parks.

Reviews

[Mónika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh rating because I kind of hated the author from the get-go. He claims to be a “bear fanatic” but knows nothing about bear safety during his first encounter? Strange. There were some sections and whole chapters that I read and felt—or noticed—whole sections missing. Other times, it felt like the chapter order was changed after writing. Characters or ideas were being introduced like they were showing up for the first time but had been discussed in a prior chapter(s). I think he should have fired his editor; second edition in the works??

Also, the personification of animals is really annoying to me. They’re animals; please stop talking about them like they are humans and their behavior is expressing human emotion.

Otherwise, I am in the pro-apex predator camp. This book didn’t change my viewpoint, but it did give me new data about bears and bear behavior I didn’t know. Ecosystem balance demands the presence of all parts of the food chain. Anyone who advocates for the dismantling of the natural order to conform nature to their idea of “right” needs to go read some more biology books. K, thx bye.

[Cav · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What most people know about them still has less to do with the nature of grizzlies, than with the nature of stories..."
—Douglas Chadwick

Grizzly Confidential was an interesting look into the topic. I wasn't sure what to expect from the book going in. Fortunately, the author did a decent job of the writing here. The book is a fairly comprehensive guide to Grizzly bears, and I think the author covered almost everything "Grizzly" under the sun...

Author Kevin Grange graduated from UCLA’s Paramedic Education Program in 2011 and is an award-winning writer with the Society of American Travel Writers.

Kevin Grange:



Grange writes with an engaging style that holds the reader's attention well. I found the book's prose to be lively and interesting. I am extremely picky about how readable my books are, and this one made the grade.

Interestingly, Grizzly bears and brown bears are the same species (Ursus arctos), but grizzly bears are currently considered to be a separate subspecies (U. a. horribilis). Due to a few morphological differences, Kodiak bears are also considered to be a distinct subspecies of brown bear.

The author drops this short quote, speaking to the book's source material:

"The research for this book took place over two years at the tail end of COVID. I conducted interviews both virtually and in person and have retained the content of these exchanges during the days I spent in the field with my subjects, though in some cases I’ve changed identifying details to protect individuals’ privacy, condensed multiple days in the field, or generalized dates, times, and order of events. I’ve also edited some quotes for length and clarity. The events and conversations depicted are based on my own recollection, and I’ve worked hard to ensure the details are accurate."

He also drops this interesting bit of writing early on:

"I also discovered that brown bears have superpowers. They can “smell time” and “see smells,” as one biologist described it. Grizzlies are great adaptors. They’ve outlasted the woolly mammoth, the saber-toothed cat, and the mastodon. They can live on high mountaintops, in the forests, the Arctic tundra, subalpine meadows, or desert. Brown bears can gain hundreds of pounds each year yet not get diabetes or heart disease. They can sleep for months while their heart rate drops as low as ten beats per minute, yet, despite being immobile, somehow lose little muscle mass and don’t develop blood clots. And during those months when they’re not eating or drinking, their bodies can actually recycle—and reuse—waste products.
Pregnancy? That involves a process called delayed implantation, where the fertilized egg doesn’t implant into the uterus right away but waits in suspended animation for months until the sow gains enough weight to support her pregnancy. Once the blastocyst finally implants, the mom gives birth just seven to nine weeks later, while she’s still hibernating..."

Grange says that bears are very intelligent creatures, with their own well-developed personalities and sense of agency. Some of the writing here reminded me of this funny Tweet:



Some more of what is covered here includes:
• The author attends a bear defense training
• Bart the Bear
• A trip to Kodiak, Alaska
• Bear farms; Yellowstone Bear World
• The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
• Sedadting bears and collaring them
• Hibernation
• Sam Rohrer; brown bear management
• The author on a spring bear hunt
• The death of Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend from a Grizzly mauling
• The 2022 Fat Bear Week
• A Grizzly's incredible sense of smell
• The Ursine Paparazzi
• The Karelian Bear Dog
• Relocating problem bears


******************

Grizzly Confidential was an informative and entertaining read. I would recommend it to anyone interested.
4 stars.

[RMazin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bears, especially grizzlies, are facing challenges: environmental from climate change, loss of habitat from population growth and always “bad press” touting fearful misinformation. Enter the world of grizzlies with author Kevin Grange. His experience as a paramedic and park ranger in the iconic bear areas of Yellowstone and the Tetons gives him the curiosity to explore bears from the viewpoints of enthusiastic self-educated volunteers, degreed scientists, activists, ranchers, and hunters. He takes the reader on journeys through the Rockies, sanctuaries in Alaska, moviemaking, rehabilitation and relocation places and universities with grizzly study programs. Growing up in the forested NE, his interest, as well as bear fear was whetted in his youngest days. Grange’s quest is to educate himself and the reader. Success!! He does not neglect the history of grizzlies, their link to indigenous populations nor the potency of their mythic/spiritual embodiment. Highly recommended. Informative, entertaining, well-written. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

[BookGirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Dude didn’t know much about bears.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays and experiences all related to grizzly bears, or brown bears as the author calls them. It ranged far and wide from the fat bear contest to hunting of grizzlies to coexisting with them in a small camp. It was interesting and informative.

[Hunter Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very enjoyable, I feel like I learned a lot of interesting tidbits about grizzlies. Unfortunately, I feel like that’s all there really was. I would have loved for the author to make some sort of broader argument or insights about the species and/or its interactions with humans. Instead it felt more like a (fun!) collection of anecdotes from his personal endeavors.

[Danya Matulis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not hold my attention at all. Had some interesting facts but not a ton tbh. The writing was meh and the book just didn’t seem to flow. Ideas or characters would be talked about like they hadn’t been introduced before but they had been. He just seems like a guy that likes bears and made it his whole personality even though he didn’t know anything about bears.

[Ciara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a fascination with grizzly bears, so it’s not all that shocking that I was super excited to read this after hearing about it thanks to one of my favorite podcasts (shout out to National Park After Dark). Grange’s respect for bears is evident in the way he writes about them, and it was fun to follow along on his journey to learn more about them.

[Dorian Achilles · Rating 2 out of 5]

not enough about bears

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Written by a layperson who started his bear journey around 2019, this guy hails from the Grand Teton area but didn't really know anything about grizzlies/brown bears. He ends up explaining a lot that a devoted fan of Explore.org's Fat Bear Week streams may already know but travels to many different facilities that deal with different aspects of brown bears, bear behavior, human-bear interaction, etc. It's a nice general overview of how different places in the US handle bear-human relationships, things that have been tried in the past, and what seems to be working well. The Katmai bears do get a mention, thank goodness.

My favorite part was realizing that Jean Craighead George, author of Julie of the Wolves, was part of a family of naturalists, and her older (twin) brothers were famous for their grizzly bear research.

[John Heid · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a well written book, but it’s far from the best book about grizzly bears I’ve read. It did not get too deeply into any one particular aspect of grizzlies, instead covering a wide range of subjects broadly.

For those looking for a more detailed study of grizzlies I highly recommend Grizzly Bear Science by Bruce McLellan, Grizzly Years by Doug Peacock, or Night of the Grizzlies by Jack Olsen.

[Margy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to find out about the history of human interface with grizzlies over the decades. Especially interesting to me as I live in an area where they are being released. Really enjoyed the parts involving bear interactions at various locations (especially the grizzly center at Washington State University - my alma mater). Found the chapters discussing policy, graphs, etc. a bit boring - much like a text book.

[Tom Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Respect the bear and the bear will respect you.

[Lisa Brandl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I intentionally read this book very slowly, in between reading other books, because I did not want it to end. As a nature and wildlife lover, I fell in love with all things bears in this book. And I felt I learned a lot as well. I’m hopeful that as more people read this book, there is more understanding and awareness of how we can coexist with these magnificent animals. Many thanks to all the naturalists, biologists, rangers, preservationists, landowners and hunters out there working together to make a better ecosystem for our ursine dwellers. I purchased this as a hardback book, because I loved the cover and the illustrations and photos inside. I hardly ever buy hardbacks, but this is one I will keep in my collection.

[Andy Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a bachelors degree in zoology and I got that degree because I’ve always loved studying genetics, biology, and animals, and grizzly bears would fall under my list of favorite beautiful beasts. I think I love them because I’m so terrified of them but this book was a very enjoyable ride.

It’s crazy to hear about all the different rumors about what triggers bear attacks over the years. I loved learning about how biologists and forest service personnel have struggled over the years in how to manage people as they try and interact with nature in the wild. This book made me fall in love with grizzly bears even more. I’ll be reading it again at some point.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

While I learned a lot about grizzly and brown bear behavior, there were quite a few parts of this book that I found tedious. It was a cross between Kevin Grange studying bears in different places and discussing how humans need to be trained to try to avoid deadly bear encounters. We need to stop leaving food in accessible places that cause bears to encroach on towns and end up killed.

[Susan Kovach · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Christopher Mooney]

I toughly enjoyed this book and learning more about the grizzly bears and the complicated relationship with man. Great read!

[Brittany McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up next to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park in Montana made seeing or hearing about Grizzlies a common enough occurrence that I always wanted to know more about them.

Author Kevin Grange does a phenomenal job utilizing his past experiences, thorough research, and first-hand accounts of others to create this well-written book.

If you are at all interested in Grizzlies, the narrative reads like fiction without needing any dose of embellishments to take you on this journey.

5 Stars! High re-readability.

[Cassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agree with the other reader - kind of meh. There is some interesting information on bears, bear physiology … but the author kind of lost me where he devoted a rather star-struck chapter to Hollywood actor-bears entirely raised and trained in captivity, and also the art gallery stuff. There’s a fair amount of anthropomorphizing in his interviews with “bear people” which also is kind of a turn-off. I’ve read a number of better books on bears and bear behavior, and I prefer books written by qualified scientists/biologists and wildlife management experts.

[Taylor Gilliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars- Learned a lot and really enjoyed how the info was told like a story—it flowed super well, which isn’t easy to pull off. Fun read about bears!

Thanks, Susan!

[Angie Gebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and educational. I learned things about bears that I didn’t even realize I wanted to know. If you hike in bear country or find bears interesting, this is a great read.

[Pam Widmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about grizzly bears but.......the title mislead me. I guess I wanted more of the confidential.

[Audge Shrewsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boring for me, personally, bc a lot of what’s covered in this are things I’ve learned over many years of listening to “tooth and claw”, where the host, Wes Larson’s clear knowledge and passion for bears cannot be beat. Grange writes clearly, but the chapters sometimes felt a bit disconnected or rather, not starting from what the obvious lead up from chapter to chapter is. Wish he would have gone a bit harder on owning and training bears for entertainment (the couple in ch 3 low-key gave that other couple on the chimp crazy documentary that trains performing/acting chimps). But good info, and the chapters in McNeal river state game sanctuary and Karelian bear dogs were super neat!

[Candorman]

Ironically, Jane Goodall is quoted by Mr. Grange as saying that "animals have personalities and minds and feelings." I believe that animals have souls as well. Animals, especially wild animals, were not put here to be exploited, enslaved, or reduced to being an economic supply source. Bears are wild animals. They are not pets, lab rats, target practice for so-called sportsmen, nor are they intended to be supporting cast members in movies.
Animals had survived in balance and harmony with the environment for many millennia until the advent of humanity. The greatest threat to animals was, is, and will be humanity and its self-serving practice of claiming to "manage" nature. Nature did quite well for eons without the "management" of humanity and, in fact, have suffered greatly from it.
I find humanity's treatment of nature as being abhorrent. I disagree with much of what Mr. Grange accepts as appropriate. Therefore, from me, no stars for Mr. Grange. My suggestion to any readers who wish to learn about bears is to read Gloria Dickie's "Eight Bears."

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book rec from a podcast I listen to (NPAD – National Park After Dark), and I absolutely loved it! What I enjoyed the most was the myriad of adventures the author went on to understand this magnificent keystone species that’s gotten a very bad rap in history. Since they’ve been introduced to the North Cascades, basically my backyard, I thought I should know as much about them as I possibly can. The portrait that arises out of Grange’s research is that of a complex apex predator who can be as individual and unique as any of us humans. Grizzlies have their own personalities, likes and dislikes, and food preferences depending on the time of year. When they’re not experiencing food insecurity, they play and relax and enjoy life, and most importantly, aren't dangerous and out to get humans. To pull his reader into the story, Grange admits that “everything I thought knew about them [grizzlies] was wrong.” The book details his journey in unlearning false stereotypes. The writing is clear and concise, and he has lots of amusing anecdotes that keep the story flowing all the while giving the reader a ton of knowledge and information. He addresses tough questions regarding introducing them to habitats, such as: what risks do grizzlies pose? How can we stay safe in bear country? And most importantly, how can we coexist? It’s the last question that is the crux of most disagreements about whether they should be reintroduced to areas. As with the wolves, we discover that they are an integral part of a healthy ecosystem, and the land is better for having them on it.

Favorite Line ~ “Grizzlies aren’t ferocious man killers, nor are they cuddly teddy bears. Instead, they inhabit the fascinating landscape between these two extremes.”

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Grange, firefighter and paramedic base in Jackson Hole, WY, does an excellent job delving into the enigma of "Ursa Arctos" or grizzly bear. As the book jacket states, "His quest takes him from his home in the Tetons to an eerie, mist-shrouded island of gigantic bruins; from the Bear Center at Washington State University...to the dark underbelly of for-profit wildlife parks, illegal animal trade, and black markets hawking bear bile." Despite his fears, Grange threw himself into his research and learned some fascinating facts about grizzlies from biologists as well as first-hand experience. Scientists are even studying their hibernation habits for possible insights that might help treat diabetes, heart disease and obesity in humans. Grange visited the salmon-gorging bruins of Kodiak Island and camped among the grizzlies at the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, located 250 miles southwest of Anchorage, AK, which promises "the closest most openly intimate human observation of Ursus Arctos on planet earth."

While admitting that "problem bears" exist, he argues that the "problem" usually originates with humans: feeding the bears, sometimes inadvertently through garbage left out, bird feeders, or unkempt campsights, getting too close to bears and/or their cubs, not carrying bear spray or making noise as you hike, etc. He comes to embrace the mantra "respect the bear and the bear will respect you."

Grizzly Confidential is a very interesting peek into the nature of North America's fiercest predator, but personally, I'd still rather view them from afar and can't imagine living in close proximity, as many westerners do because of their increasing numbers. Actually, many of us midwesterners might soon have encounters with black bears as their numbers are increasing in our area as well.

[Ken Heard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Grange tries to demystify the myth about grizzly bears. They're not monsters hungry for humans, but instead just another species trying to get by. Occasionally, humans will bump into one protecting cubs and mayhem may ensue, but for the most part, grizzly bears stick to themselves, Grange writes.

He writes of the Washington State University bear research center, of bears in the wild in Alaska's reserves, of weird bear parks that for the most part are awful to bears and of residents who deal with bears coming into their village to forage for trash and food.

There is a lot of information here. If you're a bear fan, this is a great read. We learn where the word "Berserk" comes from and how bears actually hibernate.

The downside may be that some of the chapters seem out of place, like they weren't in the correct order. Some people appear twice as first references and Grange finds everyone "happy, engaging and nice" when he introduces them.

But that is minor compared to the journey he takes us on. I lived in northern Minnesota and saw bears at my parents' summer lake cabin at times (they were black bears, not grizzlies), and learned the basic mantra that Grange uses: Respect the bear and he will respect you.

[Jennifer Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up a signed copy of "Grizzly Confidential" at the Jackson Hole Writer's Conference last month where I had the privilege of hearing Kevin Grange speak. I was looking forward to learning more about grizzlies, but I didn't know just how much I would learn! Not only did I read many interesting facts about bears that completely amazed me, but I also learned how to read bear behavior and about how to stay safe in bear country. "Respect the bear and the bear will respect you!" As an avid hiker and a lover of bears, the lessons I learned I consider to be invaluable, and I feel so much more prepared in the event of a bear encounter. I also developed a stronger sense of the plight of those who wish to educate people as to what it means to respect a bear, the do's and don'ts. I believe that the things I learned will stick with me forever. Kevin is a talented writer, weaving personal bear encounter stories in amongst all the scientific facts. It kept me interested, and his telling of the stories made me feel like I was learning right alongside him. I appreciate the time and the effort that he put into writing this book that serves a beautiful purpose.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grange is a great writer, and knows how to tell a story while sticking to facts. While I'm sure most people who read this book like (or are at least interested in) bears, it's probably difficult to come out of the reading experience not CARING about them. Those who follow the Teton or Katmai bears will probably feel a tug on the heartstrings when he talks about 399, 435 Holly, and 480 Otis, 128 Grazer, and 399's probable last cub Spirit. But while many in those circles (the social ones surrounding the bears) will anthropomorphize them, Grange does a great job acknowledging our attachment to them and to the species in general without assigning them human characteristics, and explaining what we know of them, what we think we know of them, and what beliefs may be changing. And the best part? It's an easy read. You are given a lot of information without it being dry or without feeling like he's just throwing facts at you. It's woven together spectacularly. Highly recommend to all that think this book seems interesting.