Blood of the Tiger: A Story of Conspiracy, Greed, and the Battle to Save a Magnificent Species

by J.A. Mills

Blood of the Tiger takes readers on a wild ride to save one of the world’s rarest animals from a band of Chinese billionaires.
 
Many people think wild tigers are on the road to recovery, but they are in greater danger than ever—from a menace few experts saw coming.

There may be only three thousand wild tigers left in the entire world. More shocking is the fact that twice that many—some six thousand—have been bred on farms, not for traditional medicine but to supply a luxury-goods industry that secretly sells tiger-bone wine, tiger-skin décor, and exotic cuisine enjoyed by China’s elite.
 
Two decades ago, international wildlife investigator J. A. Mills went undercover to expose bear farming in China and discovered the plot to turn tigers into nothing more than livestock. Thus begins the story of a personal crusade in which Mills mobilizes international forces to awaken the world to a conspiracy so pervasive that it threatens every last tiger in the wild.
 
In this memoir of triumph, heartbreak, and geopolitical intrigue, Mills and a host of heroic comrades try to thwart a Chinese cadre’s plan to launch billion-dollar industries banking on the extinction of not just wild tigers but also elephants and rhinos. Her journey takes her across Asia, into the jungles of India and Nepal, to Russia and Africa, traveling by means from elephant back to presidential motorcade, in the company of man-eaters, movie stars, and world leaders. She also journeys to the US where we meet people like Carole Baskin of Big Cat Rescue, who work tirelessly to end cub petting and ban private ownership and breedingof tigers and other big cats. She finds reason for hope in the increasing number of Chinese who do not want the blood of the last wild tigers to stain their beloved culture and motherland.
 
Set against the backdrop of China’s ascendance to world dominance, Blood of the Tiger tells of a global fight to rein in the forces of greed on behalf of one of the world’s most treasured and endangered animals.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Science, Conservation, Wildlife

296 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2014

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.A. Mills began her career as a journalist but did not find her passion until she fell into a story about the plight of Asiatic Bears being farmed for bile and body parts. Mills made a promise to help the bears and was soon working for conservation organizations such as TRAFFIC, the World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International. While working in the field, she was introduced to a similar issue for tigers. Through some daring work, Mills uncovered the full extent of the tiger farming trade in China. After seeing the damage being done to tigers in the wild and on the tiger farms, Mills goes to battle against major forces for this majestic and endangered species.

In this nonfiction memoir, Mills recounts her struggles and triumphs in the international wildlife conservation field. Mills takes us on her exciting, heartfelt and emotional journey into the underbelly of wildlife trade. While I have some knowledge of the wildlife trade, I was not aware of all of the major players and their deep rooted interests in the trade. As Mills dives further into trade, I was surprised at the risks she took in order to find out the truth behind what was going on. I was also surprised at the major players, their motivations and the amount of money animal trade brought in. I admired Mills tactics on befriending some of the players within the trade and getting the people of China on her side. While focused in Asia, Mills also explores a bit of wild animal trade in the USA. In some instances, the USA is contradictory in policy for other countries and what it allows in it's own borders. Mills also visits Carole Baskin's Big Cat Rescue and remarks on the man we know as Joe Exotic. Written six years ago, Blood of the Tiger is just the beginning of the tiger's struggles and what people have done to stop wildlife trade. While there have been significant strides during this time, wildlife trade is unfortunately still an issue. Reading this during COVID creates an even stronger plea to end wildlife trafficking as China's bushmeat trade is the likely cause of the outbreak.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a number of years, I was a bit player in the fascinating and complicated world of global tiger politics. Is the US representative of a small NGO working in Southeast Asia, I got to take part in the global discussion about fate of wild tigers, and the policy challenges that were on the verge of driving them to extinction - none more so than the interaction between illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking and the dark and dubious world of wildlife farms, particularly China's tiger farms. Judy Mills was at the heart of this, as the chair of the International Tiger Coalition, in which I was a member. So Judy and I got to know each other pretty well — in fact I was at a number of the fractious international meetings and summits that she relays in this book — but my knowledge of global tiger issues is a scant portion of Judy's. So reading this book gives both much deeper nuance, and an intensely personal perspective, on this global conservation challenge. Judy had worked on wildlife trafficking a very long time before I met her, and her engagement continues today, so there is scarcely a man or woman in the international NGO, governmental, or commercial wildlife sectors whom she doesn't know. Many are cited in this book; many more I suspect were consulted but not quoted directly. While I knew Judy in a professional sense, I never had the deep personal knowledge of how her wildlife passions were drawn from, and in many cases changed the course of, her personal narrative. This is a great book for anyone new to the issue of global wildlife conservation; for those well-versed in the issue there may be some overly-familiar elements, but you'll never see a more devoted advocate and impassioned campaigner on wildlife than Judy.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's no secret that wild tigers are rapidly disapearing, and have been on the endangered for some time now. It's terrible to think that such a beautiful predator could disappear forever in its natural form, leaving behind nothing but its caged, too-stupid-to-live captive form. Judy Miller has been working for decades to make sure this doesn't happen, and this is her first-person account of what it is like to fight for one of the world's most endearing animals.

She really does a great job expressing the frustration involved with her work. It feels almost insurmountable to stop trade in tiger products when certain (rich) individuals are intent on having things like furs, and wines made from tiger bone. Studies show that most citizens in the United States and China are opposed to killing endangered animals for product, but many of them unthinkingly covet ivory or desire Traditional Chine Medicines that use things like ground tiger bones in their formula. The sad part is how many people would say "no" if they were more knowledgeable about the topic, but continue to use the products due to ignorance alone. Fortunately, Blood of the Tiger could help a lot in that regard, and I hope more people read it and become more active in pushing for a ban on products made with anything that comes from an animal on the brink of extinction.

[Howard Baskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best nonfiction book I have ever read - could not put it down. Mills is the Woodward/Bernstein of tiger extinction. The fact that Mills spent decades working at all levels of the effort to save the tiger from going extinct - from the highest levels of diplomacy to on the ground undercover investigation - and can give us the REAL story of what goes on behind the scenes and the politics that can so impair the effectiveness of the efforts gives us an insight we cannot get from any other source. The private conversations and meetings she was privy to takes us deep into truly understanding what is happening in the efforts of the West and India and many other countries to keep the tiger from going extinct in the wild, and the long term strategy of patience and deception employed by China to thwart these efforts. It also reveals the way the rampant breeding of tigers kept in horrible conditions in the US impairs the credibility of our State Department in its efforts to urge banning the international trade in tiger parts that is driving the poaching that has decimated the tiger population. A must read for anyone who cares about the impending extinction of one of the earth's most majestic animals.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author certainly exposed a lot of dark secrets about what goes on in China. However the book was so filled with acronyms, names, statistics, and dates of symposiums I had difficulty in staying interested in the plight of the tiger and bear. Example: "John Robinson, the Wildlife Conservation Society's chief conservation officer, and WWF"s chief scientist Eric Dinerstein announced to all present that while they appreciated the International Tiger Coalition's role in bringing about the bank's Global Tiger Initiative, WCS, WWF, and TRAFFIC had the right stuff to take over as the initiative's lead partners..." Might make a good reference book but not one to sit down and read from cover to cover.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

NF(science) 246 pages
February 13,2015

[Sharon Guynup · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you care about tigers (and rhinos, bears, elephants and other wildlife), this powerful, well-written book is a must-read!

[Erica Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book while doing some quick research on tigers within the pet trade. I just watched the now sensational Netflix documentary series “Tiger King” and was very unsatisfied by its message. Instead of being mainly about tiger exploitation and how apparent it is that there are far more tigers in backyards then in the wild, it chooses to focus on Joe Exotic and the drama that surrounds him. And yes.. Carole Baskin and Joe Exotic are both mentioned in this book.

I reached the last episode with more of the mindset, “what the fuck did i just watch?”, rather than “what is the director telling me as their audience to do to keep tigers wild?”.

This book was absolutely incredible. The author has such a passion for wildlife and dives into both the emotional side of how these endangered animals are treated as well as the political side as she tells her accounts of wildlife committee’s conversations and events she witnessed first hand. Having stable laws is really the only real way to decrease poaching and animal trafficking and J. A. Mills reveals all the players involved in the killing and the saving of the world’s most endangered wildlife.

I truly believe this is a book everyone should read. I believe it will inspire others as it inspired me to see what I can do to improve the world I live in. To contact state representatives, congress, and other nations to focus on bans that protect these beautiful animals before they become extinct.

[Karl Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a detailed look into the international politics that go into species at risk conservation, particularly when a species factors into the economy of one or more 'big player' countries. I can't say the book was cheery or optimistic - it is not for someone looking to become more enlightened about people fighting for the conservation of species. In fact, some parts were downright depressing. HOWEVER it is still worth reading if you want to understand the degree to which some countries will ignore the ethics or plight of a species.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

While slightly self-aggrandizing at times, Ms. Mills has written an important and timely book on the challenges of combating wildlife trade, both at home an abroad, and in China in particular. Her work, in spite of several pitfalls, has provided hope for tigers and other wildlife in the future, and she provides a list of actions we can all take to fight wildlife trade at a grassroots level. A must-read for anyone interested in this topic.

[Rachel Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a depressing read. I didn't love the memoir quality employed by the author, though I imagine that would be appealing to many readers. I wanted more history, less anecdotes. However, it's still a book worth reading if you care at all about the fate of tigers.

[Sanjay Podder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three words ‘Just Read it’

If you want to get a real perspective on the future of Tiger you should read this book.

[Rayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

so sad that human greed results in so many horrible things

[Jordyn Boettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling saga of a woman and her fight against the tiger trade.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a depressing chronicle of the failure of the wildlife conservation community in preventing the decline of tigers in the wild, starting from the author's involvement in the late 1980s to present day. Mills offers an insider's perspective on the closed door meetings that take place every few years between various countries discussing international regulations and policies on wildlife, such as CITES conventions, as well as those focused on just saving tigers, like the Global Tiger Initiative led by the World Bank. Over the years, one can observe China's increasing global clout and dominance in these meetings as it becomes a superpower, from being coerced into agreeing to ban trade in tigers in 1993, while continuing to breed captive tigers, until recent years when every other country, including the U.S. does not even dare mention the threat of China's tiger farms in stimulating poaching and illegal trade. Indeed, global wildlife NGOs like WWF, WCS and Conservation International are all too beholden to the 'Dragon' to openly oppose tiger farming, which is the number one threat to wild tigers by creating a market. The book tries to end on a hopeful note by observing the trend of younger Chinese citizens' distaste for consumption of wildlife products, but I wonder if it is a case of too little too late, as we race against time. Should even a small fraction of Chinese continue to demand the same, poaching will continue.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Sy Montgomery so eloquently states, "Blood of the Tiger" may be the most important book you read this year." Most Americans don't seem to know the story of China's massive appetite for eating up endangered species and hoping they go extinct so they can profit hugely. Not all Chinese agree with this, of course, but Asian medicine has been using parts from wild animals for centuries and they don't intend to give it up. Bears, killed for their gallbladders/bile, tigers killed mostly for their bones for making wine and medicine, rhinos and elephants for horns and tusks, sharks for fins for soup. It's astonishing and enraging that the Asian countries participating in poaching of these shrinking wild species continue, despite pressure from the international community. They completely ignore agreements put in place decades ago and have moneyed, stubborn, and effective lobbies that allow massive killing of wildlife in the countries where it exists. They farm bears, tigers, rhinos and other wildlife under deplorable conditions, whetting Asian appetites for products from these animals. However, in all cases, wild animals are preferred -- their parts are thought to be more pure, so poaching not only continues but has ramped up. One day, none of these animals will be left in the wild and that's no exaggeration.

People of the world need to work for these animals and Asians need to work in their own countries to educate people about the connection between what they are consuming and purchasing and the poaching and cruel farming of wild animals. Unbelievably, it seems most Asians don't make that connection. Is that really possible? Yes it is. Tragically, yes it's entirely so.

This book is wonderfully written, concise writing, searchable details and references, and most importantly, ways we can all help at the end. What an amazing person J.A. Mills is, along with many of her colleagues and successors who continue the difficult work of facing the enormous Asian dragon that is eating the world's wildest and most magnificent animals.

The enormity of this problem comes clear in the book. I would urge news agencies to publish more information around the world about this issue, ongoing. Don't give any relief from this issue to those who are annihilating species. It's especially important to note that tiger bones, shark fins, rhino horns, and bear bile has never been proven to cure anything; it's folk medicine, and these cultures are ancient and hold fast to the idea that it has always been done this way.

Bravo to J.A Mills and all who work to correct this situation. Read the book and find out which organizations fight for the lives of these increasingly endangered animals. Read about the world conferences and how the massive dragon keeps getting its way.

This should be required reading in every country. I received this book from Goodreads Giveways.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conservation - it should be so simple, shouldn't it? When there are reams of data, a majority of followers, and a species clearly in decline, then what more needs to be said? 'Blood of the Tiger' lays bare the inner workings of tiger conservation, and explains - in great detail - China's role in the potential extinction of multiple species.

The book reads like a suspense novel, though the drama is far too real. It is written extremely well, and flows more like fiction than non-fiction. It demonstrates the politics and egos involved in conservation at every level. It shows the sad truth that, far too often, those tasked with helping are perfectly capable of hindering because of their refusal to work together. And most importantly, it illustrates that - more than any other country - China stands to benefit not only from the parts of these animals, but *from having none left in the wild*. That's right. Some are literally banking on the fact that these majestic tigers, among other animals, may no longer survive in the wild.

Starting from bears and how they are kept caged and "milked" for the bile from their gall bladders, Mills explains how she came to love tigers and how China has created "farms" of them specifically to provide bones, skins, and pieces to the commercial market. Tiger bone wine, anyone? This is China's answer to "conservation", and is sanctioned (in defiance of treaties) by some of the highest levels. Reading this book was heart-wrenching, infuriating and sickening...all at the same time. In fact, I think I'm still sort of numbed by what I read.

Everyone should know of this, and should read this. Not only is it a window into how politicized conservation is, but it is a glimpse of how China has become the power that they are and the levels they will go to in order to remain that way...and to *get* their way. If you have a soft spot for the wild tiger, or respect for their majesty, read this book. If you don't understand why one thing is often said but something else happens in the conservation world, read this book. If you're curious about China even a little - read this book. Frankly, just read this book. And then pass it along to another, and another. Because the only way that change will happen is when one voice multiplies so that it becomes a chorus, all crying out for that change.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In normal circumstances we are the ones who seek exhilaration in proximity to them. Entire industries are built on our desire to get as close as safely
possible to wild tigers,lions,bears,and many other species that could kill us at whim. Their wildness unleashes our own."

I received this book through a good reads giveaway thank you Beacon Press. I expected this book to be like watching a documentary, interesting but sometimes boring. I was wrong J.A. Mills takes you along on her journey which becomes your own. Mills is a wild life warrior fighting for wild animals in the human world. She gave up so much in her personal life to research and defend endangered animals. Mills weaves her life and her fight together so perfectly you feel you know her and what she is defending. She sheds light on a very broad and confusing topic, poachers and countries "hunting, buying, selling, or even eating bears".She shows its not only Tigers that are endanger wildlife trade is killing all kinds of animals. I was shocked to discover that bear poachers were not only in places like Asia but also in America. Mills opens your eyes and heart to the animals being killed for body parts like a car in a junk yard. Reading about bear bladders selling for more than gold was one of the most fascinating things I've read in a long time. I'll admit after the first few chapters I thought isn't this book about tigers? But everything was so interesting I didn't mind. It made me think about animals and politics and journalism. I found myself wanting to know more about Asia and the United States involvement in wildlife trafficking. The history between The United States and China is so intriguing and well explained by Mills. Reading about the global trade of tiger bones was enlightening I learned so much in such a short time. Reading this book was like watching the discovery channel, animal planet, and the history channel all in one. An amazing read that will stay with you for a long time. I don't want to give to much away I will end with saying read this book I recommend it to anyone who is an animal lover, a history buff, or someone looking for a fascinating book.

[Mirrani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book through the Early Reviewer program and I requested it because I was interested to read and understand what was happening in the world of the tiger. I assumed it would be heart breaking, I didn't expect it would drag on and not really be about the tigers as much as it was about one woman's inadequate struggles with her own life and her personal quest to save the lives of bears. Yes, I said bears.

This is a book that tells of the evils of bear and (eventually) tiger farming for the sake of traditional Chinese medicines. It does not fill the desire I had to truly understand what is done to "save a magnificent species" and it does not always talk about tigers themselves. I struggled through a lot of this book, I honestly found only one or two interesting parts and the rest simply frustrated me. The frustration didn't come from my expecting the book to be about tigers and it wasn't, or from my expecting to find out more about the fight of the tigers than I did, my frustration came from the writing itself. I felt like I was going through a list of someone's bullet points that had been turned into a book. There were several times where I found myself saying, "If you were that much of a failure at what you were doing, why bother writing all this?" I simply wasn't all that impressed and I SHOULD have been. This is the type of book you want to motivate you into stepping up for the environment and for the animals you learn about. Instead I found myself wondering how I could possibly do anything because everything seemed hopeless.

I am sure there is a certain type of person who will enjoy this read. I am not sure what type of person that would be, except for someone doing a research paper. I would think tiger fans would be hurt and avid readers would be disappointed. The title suggests potential, the text just leaves you shaking your head at all the wrong things. This is an important story that should have been told in a completely different way.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book from First Read. I'd like to thank the author, J.A. Mills, and goodreads for this opportunity.

I found the book well written. The chronological account of the authors travels through the humanity of the human animal in an attempt to save a few other animals from extinction at the hands of humans.

With a cause of good intentions, Ms. Mills soon finds what most of the world is really about. In friends and foe, she encounters the obstacles of deceit and corruption and the art of war.

She sees that nothing can stand in the way of money and power. Greed trumps all. Narcissists and psychopaths rule. Even the organizations touting they are trying to do good and battle the forces of evil are shown to be battling each other, forming alliances for more money and prestige, spending on lavish accommodations and parties... She sees that everyone worships money and the power that comes from it (the sickening amount of attention to Hollywood types as an example). Can anyone be trusted? Is anyone really listening? Can these animals be saved?

As for the critters of her cause, we're left with some nice information at the back of the book to continue our education and participation. An interesting read into the human psyche that all things are our play things for our personal benefit. A good read.

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Librarything and Beacon Press for a free copy to read and share my review.

I applaud the author, loudly and wholeheartedly. Thank you so very much for standing up for the animals that can't speak for themselves. This book was not an easy read and I can only imagine how she has lived it. It would give me nightmares. Wildlife conservation seems to be a big thing for Americans but then as you go from country to country, how little it means elsewhere. I will definitely check out some of the sites listed in the end...
JAMillsAuthor.com
big.catrescue.org
There really is no entertainment for me in this book, it's just a book that has something to say, and it needed to be said. Still this was the authors long journey to help save animals who are being captured and farmed for horrific reasons. The journey will never end because animals will never speak for themselves. Everyone has a part to play in ending the tiger trade.

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Like most Americans, I was completely unaware of the challenges facing tigers in today's consumer world. This book was a real eye opener. The author effectively relates the challenges tigers face in a world of mass consumerism. We are introduced to all the stake holders and the politics involved. I had never even been aware of tiger bone wine until I read this book! Now that I have been made aware of this issue, it will be something I will continue to follow for the rest of my life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the future of wildlife on this planet! A great read!

[Ginni · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.)

3.5 stars

This is a fascinating book of political intrigue--a LOT of political intrigue--that is more memoir than editorial. It's an interesting memoir, but it's still very much one perspective. I went into this expecting it to be more of a global look at/documentary of tiger conservation than a recap of one woman's experience in the field.

It's not a book about tigers, or even really about conservation--it's about politics. But I guess part of the point is just how much of conservation really IS political. It's also eye-opening, well written, and informative.

[Tanja Pirttilä · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice and it has been a true eye opener for me. I thought I already knew about tiger trade and tiger farms in Asia but this book proved I didn't know half as much as I thought. This book took me to the heart of the issue, explaining reasons, actions and impacts better than I could've ever imagined.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in tigers, animals and conservation. This book is a great inspiration for me and a must for people who are passionate about saving big cats.

[Rachel Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

This book took me a long time to read. It is very well written, but the subject was very hard for me to read for longer than a few pages. It just hearts me to my soul to read about the terrible abuses to tigers, bears and other animals outlined in the book. The book is particularly about tigers, captive breeding and the use of tiger parts being sold illegally throughout the world and in particular in China. I feel more educated after reading this book, but also immensely sad too.

The book is well written and researched.

[Dconner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe about the author, J.A. Mills, for the work she has done for trying to save not only tigers, but bears too. Wish she could get the equivalent of the Noble Peace Prize. The book is very well written. But I found it very difficult to read because of the animal's suffering.

[Catherine Draves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long winded and self indulgent on the author's part. However it does bring attention to how severe the plight is of poached animals worldwide.