Blindsided: Surviving a Grizzly Attack and Still Loving the Great Bear

by Jim Cole, Tim Vandehey

Jim Cole has spent years tramping into the depths of places like Alaska, Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park in search of grizzlies, seeing these magnificent, powerful and reclusive animals at their most unguarded―foraging, fishing, caring for cubs, or simply lying in the backcountry sunshine. At times, he's been surrounded by dozens of bears deep in the wilderness, yet has never felt threatened by these incredible and misunderstood creatures. Even after being mauled by a grizzly in 1993, Jim eagerly trekked annually into the bears' habitat, armed only with bear spray, his camera, and his knowledge of how to stay safe.

But nothing could have prepared him for May 23, 200, when he was attacked in Yellowstone by a mother grizzly who felt that his presence threatened her cub. The bear literally ripped off most of his face, blinded him in one eye, and savaged him nearly to the point of death. Jim was left sightless, bleeding, wounded and alone in the wilderness. He managed to find his way several miles through the wild country back to a main road, where passersby found him.

In part, Blindsided is a gripping, detailed account of that fateful day―how Jim survived an assault by one of the most unstoppable predators on earth and managed to carry himself to safety despite his gruesome injuries. It's also the story of how he recovered with the help and support of friends, family and a dedicated medical team, but perhaps most importantly, the book is a love story between and man and animal, a clear-eyed and affectionate look at the marvel that is the grizzly bear―its astonishing habits and intelligence, the threats it faces at the hand of man, and its hopes for the future.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Memoir, Adventure, Survival

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Beverly Francia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good book. Informative about grizzly bears. But I also felt the writer kept repeating himself. Jim Cole survived, two grizzly bear attacks. A passion to live life. I do agree on one thing. We need to preserve our wildlife. Before our animals are gone on this Earth.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's books like this one that dearly make me wish that Goodreads had a half-star system. I would have given this one two and a half. It's an interesting first person perspective on being mauled by a bear, not once, but twice in a lifetime. Jim Cole was a photographer whose work often took him out into the back country of various national parks. Being back there alone can put you at risk for bear encounters.
Of course, the second attack took place in Yellowstone and, until 2011, there had been no fatal maulings in the park. Jim's was probably the closest (with various punctures and gummings along the way) to being another death since he lost most of his face. His luck was incredible.
The writing was more than likely greatly helped by Tim Vandeley. The book is 289 p. but a lot of that is helped by the large-sized font. The book didn't really keep my attention, it took over two months for me to finish, but it was a perfectly interesting biography that focuses around a particular love for bears.
P.S. Jim didn't die from the bear attack in 2007, but he did pass away three years later from natural causes.

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I'm just read-out on the topic of bears...
This book was pretty poorly written. If I hear the word "bruin" one more time, I think I'll scream!
At any rate, I'm sorry for the author's misfortune and happy that he advocates for bears, but the book seemed...I don't know...overdone.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.... It was interesting and I loved hearing about experiences in the national parks and the passion that the author clearly has for nature and the bears. However, it was not written well, and made it difficult to get through.

[Debby Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. It was riveting. Things I did't like- a little repetitive and the author is a bit arrogant for my taste

[Janeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grizzle bear

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was interesting and I liked to hear his perspective about bears, but the writing was disonnected and it could have used some serious editing.