Customer Reviews:
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 Urban sprawl and open spaces coexisting November 8, 2003
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is an incredible account of the very complex issues surrounding the effects of urban sprawl overtaking more and more of our natural landscapes (which, quite honestly, has been true since the very beginning of the American experience) and the natural world that we then seek to protect. Predator (in this case, the mountain lion) and a new form of prey (whether that be pets, deer, or in the most extreme case, humans) are thrust into a new environment living side by side. As communities struggle to both support economic growth and be environmental and social conscious, the natural world finds itself doing what it always has done, adapt and evolve its patterns, often at the expense of those trying to benefit from the changes or fiscal opportunities. One example is of two businessmen who decide to raise deer, but see their money eaten by one of these coexisting predators. They have to resort to calling in an expert tracker who uses dogs who track the animal until it is killed. However, even this is not enough to spur the kind of dialogues that should be taking place until a young athlete is killed. This book, while some might find frustrating in that it doesn't try to convince you of "the answer", does implore us to start exploring how these two worlds can coexist, if they can. If those who are environmentally conscious believe they can, then how will our own comfort levels have to give way to survival of the fittest. This is an excellent and accessible read to those who may never have considered these issues, but find it thought provoking.
 A great book! November 6, 2003
12 out of 18 found this review helpful
I picked up this book on a friend's recommendation and will confess I had my doubts. But it turned out to be one of those books you can't put down. What a fabulous story!
 Urban Prey Species October 29, 2003
15 out of 76 found this review helpful
This book does a fairly good job of documenting the mental attributes of our most prevalent urban prey species, "homo semi-sapiens wimpus". The treacly, sentimentalized vision of "nature" espoused by the urban bleating grass-eaters in Boulder is a clear demonstration of the need for accelerated Darwinian selection by the larger carnivores. I would fully support a Dept. of Fish & Game relocation program designed to move cougars, black bears, and grizzly bears into the urban parks and backyards of the homes of the bleeding-heart leftist wussies who inhabit our larger cities. After all, the urban lefitsts are herbivores, the natural prey for large carnivores. Chomp down, dudes!!
Beast in the Garden October 28, 2003
20 out of 23 found this review helpful
David Baron is a great writer, and this is a great book! This is a must read for anyone who cares about large carnivores and their future survival. Beast in the Garden is a non-fiction book that reads like a crime novel. Initially, I suspected that this might be another sensationalized account of wild animals run amuck. What I found was something entirely different, a tome that combines elements of biology, sociology and American history. It is truly a case study on our evolving environment, culture & society. In this book David Baron masterfully illustrates that not all the news about the environment is doom and gloom. There is an exciting story out there that many people haven't noticed, and that is the recovery of North American wildlife. The cougar is just the most dramatic and charismatic example. This book should help people who love wildlife understand that there is a cost to having these creatures come back. We are going to have to make modest sacrifices and adjustments to our lifestyles in order to accommodate them. We are also going to have to come to the realization that wildlife needs to be managed, in order to insure human tolerance and public safety. Mark Dowling
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