Brother Wolf: A Forgotten Promise

by Jim Brandenburg

In a sequel to White Wolf, award-winning nature photographer Jim Brandenburg's powerful narrative--and 140 color photos of timber wolves in their natural habitat--will revolutionize our thinking about wolves, human nature, our primeval past, and the survival of our planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Wolves, Nature, Photography, Reference

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Jim Brandenburg was an environmentalist and nature photographer and filmmaker based near Ely, Minnesota. His career included over 10 years as a newspaper photojournalist, over 30 years as a contract photographer for the National Geographic Society, and commissions from such groups as the United States Postal Service, NHK and the BBC.
Jim Brandenburg was a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book. It has gorgeous pictures, some interesting information and is easy to read. Not too scientific, doesn't really go all that deep anywhere, but focuses on the author's personal feelings and experiences.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandenburg is more than a Brilliant Photographer.
The text in this book is a fascinating story of each wolf he "met"; the stories behind the photos. Timeless ... not just a coffee table book by any means!

[Ehryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It is unfortunate that we apply our own moral standards in deciding which animals are good and which animals are bad. Of course, animals are neither. They simply are.”

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Brother wolf" offers a breath taking visual journey through the world of wild wolves; invites the reader to explore their magic and elegance and their relations with other wildlife (prey, partners and competitors).

The book is visually amazing - photographically brilliant!

Its weak side is the text. While it is at times interesting and beautifully written, it is largely driven by projections of the author's "gut feeling" biases and romantic stereotypes onto his subjects, especially the wolves. It is at times directly misinforming and definely not rigourous. Having experienced this problem with all 3 books by Brandenburg I've read, I no longer really trust his words; I never know when statements are the author' guesses, projections and myths, and when they are actual facts, so I don't trust any of them. The writing is also very repetitive and romanticising. So - if only rating the book's text content, then I would give it 1 out of 5 stars. If only rating its visual quality, 5 out of 5 stars.

That shouldn't prevent anyone from buying or reading book, because it really is a visual masterpiece. Visually, it gives great and invaluable insights. Just take the text with a grain of salt.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandenburg fills his book with interesting observations about wolf behavior he witnesses while living in the wilds of northern Minnesota, but the highlight of the book is the striking photography, some of the most evocative images from nature that I've ever seen. One of my favorite photos is the classic image that appears on the cover of the book. I don't think I've seen another photo that does a better job of capturing the beauty and mystery of the wolf.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary book with exceptional Photography. The author begins by humanizing wolves and I thought at first that it would wear thin quickly but his examples and comments were thought provoking and fascinating. One of the most interesting parts of this journey was the geography. I have spent a great deal of time in northern Minnesota and in the North American arctic and that is where he has done most of his research. It brought back memories of minus 43 degree we cold in Isabella, Minnesota and all the wildlife of the Canadian and Alaskan arctic. A wonderful read for those with an interest in the natural world.

[Harry Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally started this book because I'm in the process of doing a soapstone carving of a wolf & was looking for some inspiration. What I found was a author very passionate about the wolf both in it's relationship to man & it's ecology. The book was very engrossing, a quick & extremely well written read. He did a very good job in dispelling many of the myths surrounding the wolf.

[Samuel Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures have more meaning than the words.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Brandenburgs Buch ist eine Reise zu "Bruder Wolf" die bewegt,anspricht und durch einfach unglaublich beeindruckende und schöne Bilder untermalt wird.
Seine Reise führt uns zu dem faszinierenden Wesen Canis lupus, ein Wesen verteufelt und gejagt, in Mythen beschworen und verehrt, vorurteilbehaftet gejagt und getötet.
Ein Wesen, welches dem Tier Mensch so ähnelt. Gewandt, intelligent, beharrlich, stark. Das Wesen Mensch jagt, ißt , sozialisiert und organisiert sich, vollzieht Rituale und ist territorial.
Wir sehen einen Bruder, wir sehen uns selbst.
Brandenburgs Buch ist eine Liebeserklärung an den Wolf und wer immer es liest wird verstehen warum.
Wir dürfen niemals vergessen,daß der Wolf dasselbe will wie wir: Nahrung, Raum, Frieden, soziale Ordnung und eine gesunde Umwelt zum Leben.
Und :
Bruder Wolf will alleine gelassen werden.
Ein wunderschönes Buch, ich kann es nur empfehlen.

[Clayton Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a damned fine book. Manages to tell of the ancient respect and mutual scavenging and hunting companionship that existed between wolves and humans, the eventual choice of certain wolves to be domestic dogs by further allying with our species in the Pleistocene sunlight, the relationship of the wolf to other animals in the environment of Minnesota, a brief history of the wolf's history in Northern Minnesota, the interesting parallels between the wolf's behavior and our own in regards to diet, care of our offspring and how we select our leaders.

In essence, I recommend it highly to any fan of wolves, dogs or wildlife in general. You will not be disappointed.

[Crystal Sissons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. The photographs are breathtaking and the narrative is sincere and reflective. I am eager to read more of Jim Brandenburg's work! Thank you for this wonderful book which helps re-open the world of Brother Wolf to those of us who seek it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best photos of timber wolves I've ever seen. I can't imagine the hours he must have spent to get those shots. Some thought-provoking text on the nature of the wolf-human relationship and wolf ecology accompanies the photos. If you've got any interest in wolves this book is worth a look.

[Minna · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant, beautiful

[Rebecca W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a moving introduction to the beauty of wolves. This book really opened my eyes to the threat we pose on such a intrancing species! The gorgeous photography is certainly an added bonus!