| The Blue Bear | 
 enlarge | Author: Lynn Schooler
Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 278610
Media: Paperback
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.9
ISBN: 009942195X
Dewey Decimal Number: 910
EAN: 9780099421955
ASIN: 009942195X
Publication Date: August 7, 2003
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Mint Condition; We post daily by Royal Mail,from Uk location, Wrapped in bubble and inserted in jiffy bag ;Priority Airmail used Worldwide on International orders
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| Customer Reviews:
Inspiring. December 8, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have nothing much to add to the previous reviewers, all of whom have captured the essence of Schooler's book. What shines through for me is the real education that Schooler provides - his explanations of Alaska's geography, geology, history, settlements and native culture's are extremely well done. The story of his relationship with wildlife photographer Michio Hoshino is the real story of the book, and gives us a real insight into the way Hoshino viewed his art, and his life. Schooler himself has some form of spinal deformity, that, by his own admission, left him with difficuties in interacting with people. However, this is never rammed down the reader's throat. It could so easily have been a self-effacing Alaska-saved-my-life, type book. It's not. It's a celebration of nature, of conservation and of friendship. Read it along with the photobook Hoshino's Alaska for greater understanding.
One minor negative - it could have done with a map of Alaska in it. Such is the mention of various inleets and sounds and peninsulas and glaciers etc, it would be nice to be able to reference the geeography quicker...
One more tip - if this is up your alley, you may like Peter Matthiesen's excellent The Snow Leopard.......
Incredible September 4, 2007
Lynn Schooler's The Blue Bear is one of those rare books that captivates not only the imagination but also the heart in it's storytelling. It's not only an account of how a native texan came to Alaska and forged a love and respect for the wilderness but also an account of a friendship. A friendship that grew for over a decade guiding an incredible photographer documenting the wildlife and landscapes of this incredible country. Schooler's account is so eloquently and simply written that I found myself in the middle of some incredible wildlife encounters; at times almost breathless myself. His profound humility and honesty is a true gift to the reader, sharing humour and more difficult experiences of life in such a way that not to be moved by this account would call into question your very human-ness. I laughed out loud, I cried and I learned a great deal from the wisdom in this book. A book that I will long be with me and always feel gratitude for finding.
First Rate October 14, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is a real gem. A beutifully crafted work that combines the author's clearly heartfelt love and respect for the Alaskan wilderness with a great depth of knowledge and sincerity. Woven into this is the story of Schooler's friendship with an extraordinary man, Michio Hoshino, who's talent as a photographer seems to have been exceeded only by his humilty and warmth as a person. This would make a superb novel - the fact that it is a true story makes it all the more wonderful. Lynn Schooler is to be congratulated. If you don't get something from this book I will personally refund your money!
 Beautifully written and achingly real. January 5, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It is hard to believe that this is Lynn Schooler's first book. He writes like a man who has lived a life often isolated from humans, but very much a part of nature. His descriptions of Alaska and its flora and fauna are breathtaking. Not only are these stunning pictures of nature beautifully described, they are also clearly explained in footnotes where necessary. On top of this, you get a fascinating insight into the Native American history of the places visited in the book. In introducing us to these histories, and other characters from along his Alaskan explorations, Lynn Schooler guides us through the wilderness as surely as if we were actually there.Lynn's story touches on amazing encounters with Whales, Glaciers, Storms and Bears - mostly in the company of his good friend Michio Hoshino. There is a genuinely 'good' view of life in this story, and it is clearly a view which Lynn and Michio shared. Michio sounds like a truly amazing man, and the strength and warmth of these mens friendship emanates from the pages of this book. 'The Blue Bear' will appeal to anyone with an interest in Alaska and its wildlife, environment and way of life. It will appeal to adventurers, nature lovers and photographers alike (the descriptions of why and how Michio composes his shots are so well explained - this is a real strength for Lynn, he explains everything in a straightforward way that really makes sense.)
Highly recommended. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because I would have liked more photographs!
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