Smith (Yellowstone Memories
) delivers a loving tribute to the Ursidae
family that will delight animal enthusiasts and could even make a convert of famed (and faux) bear-hater Stephen Colbert. Smith combines accounts of his true-life encounters with bears across North America, from Alaska's Talkeetna Mountains to the Grand Teton and Shenandoah National Parks, with no-nonsense sidebars that dispense useful information for people interested in seeing bears firsthand. Supported on almost every page by Francis's gorgeous photos, the book more than meets Smith's goal of providing an account that is "representative of what it means to walk in bear country." One of the most entertaining adventures involves an exploration of Wyoming's Pilgrim Creek near Grand Teton National Park, which also features Smith's surprisingly rugged West Highland terrier. Smith's explorations also serve to counter what he calls "sensational" stories about bear maulings so he can encourage people to safely explore the backcountry. The book is best at showing that bears are "a metaphor for simply enjoying the sparkling wonder of wildness." (Sept.)
