Among Grizzlies: Living with Wild Bears in Alaska

by Timothy Treadwell, Jewel Palovak

Living with Wild Bears in Alaska

"A heart-stopping eco-adventure, a testimony to both the grizzlies and their courageous protector."

-- People

"The grizzly bear is one of a very few animals remaining on earth that can kill a human in physical combat. It can decapitate with a single swipe or grotesquely disfigure a person in rapid order. Within the last wilderness areas where they dwell, they are the undisputed king of all beasts. I know this very well. My name is Timothy Treadwell, and I live with the wild grizzly. . . ."

After Timothy Treadwell nearly died from a heroin overdose, he sought healing far from the trappings of civilization--among wild grizzlies on the remote Alaskan coast. Without gun, two-way radio, or experience living in the wild, armed only with the love and respect he felt for these majestic animals, Treadwell set up camp surrounded by one of nature's most terrifying and fascinating forces of nature.

Here is the story of his astonishing adventures with soothing aggressive adolescents, facing down thousand-pound males, swimming with mothers and cubs, surviving countless brushes with death, earning their trust and acceptance. In these incredible pages, Treadwell lives a life no human has ever attempted, and ultimately saves his own. To share his experience is awesome, harrowing, and unforgettable.
                                                        
"LIKE AFRICA NATURALIST JANE GOODALL, TREADWELL GIVES PERSONAL NAMES TO HIS SUBJECTS. . . . Bears have distinct personalities, Treadwell shows, and as a group, individual roles become clearly defined by gender, size, and age."

-- The Seattle Times

With twenty-nine photographs

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Biography, Outdoors, Environment

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Timothy Treadwell was an American bear enthusiast, environmentalist, amateur naturalist, eco-warrior and documentary film maker. He lived with his girlfriend/fiance Vicky Scott in Hessel, where they lived happily among the bears until she left to pursue a career in Npower. He was disappointed and went to live with the grizzly bears of Katmai National Park in Alaska, USA, for 13 summers. At the end of his 13th summer in the park in 2003, he and his girlfriend Amie Huguenard were killed and partially eaten by a grizzly bear. Treadwell's life, work, and death were the subject of the 2005 critically acclaimed documentary film by Werner Herzog titled Grizzly Man.

Wikipedia

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having seen the film 'Grizzly Man' a number of times, I decided to dig a little deeper and read Treadwell's own account of his 1995 season. Among Grizzlies completely blew my expectations out of the water, as I found myself unable to put it down.

In the on-going debate over whether or not Treadwell's actions were ethical & whether or not he was insane, I tend to side a bit closer to Treadwell. Do I believe he was out there protecting the bears? no. But he experienced something I imagine 75% of the population wishes they had the guts to experience. He put his 'life' on hold, and went out and found a new one in the Alaskan wilderness...and no matter how you feel about his other actions, you have to admit, that's a pretty amazing story to read.


Again, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about him getting so close to the bears, and noticeably impacting their way of life, but all debates aside, it's a mind-blowing account of a summer in Alaska!

[Lisa Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so you may have noticed that I gave this book 5 stars. Those of you who know me might be curious as to why. I have the book such a high rating not because it is a deep, scientific read, or even because it is well written. This book got 5 stars because it is the FUNNIEST book I have ever read.

News flash: this book is not a comedy, nor is it ment to be funny. The author is dead serious; which is exactly why this books is 5 star HILARIOUS! The author is, in my opinion, a genuine nutcase. Treadwell goes out to the Alaska wild and lives with the grizzlies under the pretext that he is doing field research and protecting them from poachers. While under any other circumstance, that would seem to be a noble pursuit, but the fact is that the guy is NOT doing scientific research - he is singing love songs to the bears, and pretending he is one of them. He gives them names ike "Booble," "Downey," "The Hunk," and "Mr. Chocolate." He talks about how they love and respect him, and how they are "misunderstood gentle giants." Treadwell is basically endangering his life by pretending he is a bear, chasing the bears around, and living with them in the wild. Eventually, two of his "beloved" bears maul Treadwell and his girlfriend to death.

His treatment of these dangerous animals as "party animals" (his own words) is a classic example of mind-blowing stupidity. As long as you don't take it seriously, this is a really great read :)

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grizzly Man is one of my favorite films and I have been fascinated with Timothy Treadwell ever since I first saw it. For anyone interested in his life this book is essential reading. The love he had for his "animal friends" is obvious. While some have criticized him for his unscientific approach, I think this fundamentally misunderstands his mission. Treadwell was no ecologist but rather a romantic searcher in spiritual turmoil, engaged in an existential quest to merge with the Absolute, which for him became embodied in his beloved bears. The lurid details of his death, thankfully absent here, pale before the intensity of his need to dissolve the boundaries between man and animal. No one has struggled more with the question of what it means to be human.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Among Grizzlies: Living With Wild Bears in Alaska by Timothy Treadwell and Jewel Palovak (Ballantine Books 1997) is one of the few books I've read where I believe that the author is either certifiably insane or a full-blown fanatic. The author mixed up making friends with wild brown bears and making friends with puppies in the pet store, and the bears turned him into grizzly dung. Read The Grizzly Maze by Nick Jans instead for a much more objective report of Timothy Treadwell's behavior. It'll scare you silly! My rating: 6/10, finished 7/31/11. I purchased a used hardback copy in very good condition from Amazon 12/5/17. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Anieta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living with grizzlies and not caring whether he survived or not, until one was 20-30 feet away and giving the indication that Treadwell just might be that grizzly's meal.

I repeatedly questioned whether this was fiction or not till about 1/4 of the way through. Then another 30-30 pages and I saw the photos. At that point more researched information was added. At the end he notes that he still researches the AK grizzly but in a wiser way--better for grizzly AND Treadwell.

He has "show not tell" down pat--he just describes the event, asks a lot of questions, and experiments with different ways of leaving at peace with the mighty grizzly.

Now this is a 22-year old book. I wonder how Treadwell would write it now.

[The Happy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from the library, where someone had slipped an article on his death into the cover. I love it as a fantasy book, but I'm having trouble believing he didn't get eaten sooner. I really wish someone knew which bear killed him. Cupcake, perhaps? It would be ironic if it were Booble.

[Gary Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

12th book read in 2014.

Number 333 out of 356 on my all time book list.

Follow the link below to see my video review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf0Uy...

[Suzanne LaPierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It can happen on your first day or your last," Treadwell writes- meaning that you have to be equally cautious around bears at all times and not get sloppy when camping in areas frequented by bears. But Treadwell ultimately didn't follow his own advice, and we know the tragic results. It's a miracle so many bears were so tolerant of him as long as they were. That is a real testament to the bears' avoidance of unnecessary confrontations with humans.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. Like many people, I have mixed feelings about Treadwell and his risky behavior around bears. That level of risk-taking cost him his life, that of his partner Amie, and two bears... All because of his refusal to carry bear spray as a last resort. However, what also comes through in this account is Treadwell's passion for bears.

I love watching bears and had recently returned from a trip to Katmai National Park in Alaska when I read this book. I enjoyed sharing his wonder at the individuality of each bear - even as I cringed at some of his audacity. He makes some interesting observations - for example, a mother bear digging "steps" into a steep ravine so that her small cub can follow her up. He also witnessed mating bears staying together as a couple much longer than previously noted. Each bear has its own technique for digging clams or catching fish.

He's open about many of his own blunders and imperfections, writing about his inability to pitch a tent on his first trip out, and buying the wrong size sleeping bag. And he has a zany sense of humor, all of which made him rather likeable as a narrator. No one should be judged on their worst mistake - as the saying goes, "We judge others on their worst mistakes and ourselves on our best intentions" - or something like that. I do think Treadwell had good intentions- he probably truly wished that his presence was somehow protecting the bears from poachers, even though we know that was probably not the case.

I also enjoyed this book because I like memoirs, especially quirky ones, and this book is as much a window into one person's soul as it is a book about bear-watching. If you love animals and offbeat people, you might enjoy this quick read.

[ManderleyLilacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Grizzly Man" is one of my all time favourite films, so l was happy to get a copy of this book in the library. It's one of those books that's changed when you know Treadwell was killed by a bear, and it makes his hopeful first-hand accounts far sadder. I'm not in the camp of people who insult him for his practices, even if I agree that he was going too far. He saw the bears as a saviour (to quote Herzog himself) from his addiction and downward trajectory in life, and to embrace what you love so passionately with both hands is something that can be admired, but when combined with his mental health struggles it led to an awful conclusion. There are strands in the book that absolutely tie in with the film (the bears as a spiritual saviour, anthropomorphising the bears, Treadwell seeing himself AS a bear), and even the idea of "conquering the Alaskan wilds" as a white city man has a tragic history (e.g. "Into the Wild", another favourite). It's also 30 years right at this moment in ime since Treadwell was documenting the summer experience in this book, which felt extra meaningful to read. I'd love to write a (respectful) essay somewhere.

[Saphi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting con-books ever written. Timothy Treadwell was in a sense a fool, despite his tale being tragic. When you read this case, it's clear that he was a nut-case that was trying to convice people to go up to grizzlies and "befriend them".

If you want to help Grizzlies, it's by letting them live their life and stay away from them, since they just want to be left in their habitat. Timmy was, in my opinion, not really there for the bears but the images he could take and the recognition he got from his madness. I believe you could read this book and learn from it, as a warning to not support nor take part in obviously dangerous activities Timothy promoted and believed in to get a sense of power I feel.

[Aden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Among Grizzlies: Living with Wild Bears in Alaska depicts Timothy Treadwell as he survives in the wilderness of Alaska with grizzly bears. From his own accounts, you get to travel with him as he feels this deep love and fascination of the grizzlies even when he is terrified. I was shocked, thrilled, and enthralled as I read about his interactions with these amazing creatures. I felt that the book was a little slow in between these moments, but I feel that most people would like it regardless. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his adventures, even if the writing style wasn't quite my thing. But if you are interested in bears or even how someone would be crazy enough to go live with them, I think that you should definitely give this book a shot.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was massively entertained by this book, but not because I felt it was well written or that the message is sound. I read this book to gain more insight on a man who chose a hugely dangerous way to live. Timothy Treadwell approached and TOUCHED wild grizzly bears, and that's something no person who values their life should ever do. I've watched the documentary Grizzly Man that follows the life of the author Timothy Treadwell, and I think it should be watched hand in hand with this book, as it gives a more complete picture of Timothy Treadwell and the way he conducted himself among grizzlies.

[Curtis Anthony Bozif · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly interesting because I'm a big fan of Werner Herzog and he of course made that film about Timothy Treadwell called Grizzly Man. By reading Treadwell's own accounts of living in such close proximity to the bears you learn that he was even more disturbed than he was depicted in the Herzog's film. He also took more risks and was even luckier to have survived as many summers as he did than is depicted in the film.

[Nanci Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enjoying the book, and amazed at how the author approached, named and possibly befriended a number of grizzly bears over a period of 13 years of visits to Alaska. Then I looked up the author on Google and discovered that he and his girlfriend were killed (and eaten!) by a grizzly in Oct 2003. I felt awful after reading this, and thinking of their horrific demise made reading the rest of the book not quite as fun.

[Dimitri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish/ didn't feel a need to dive any deeper. I bought this mostly out of curiosity - would I think differently of Treadwell through a different medium? Does the medium make a difference in this story? Turns out, it doesn't make a difference.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Controversial approach to studying bear behavior and felt skeptical about parts of the book, but the non scientific tone makes it a good read, more so for entertainment than for educational purposes.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read but slightly awkward when he talks about how bears are dangerous, especially considering that he was, in fact, killed by a bear.

[Mark Binsted · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is nuttier than a squirrels turd. Its an interesting read however.

[Julie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hubris....I started reading this book out of a sick sense of curiosity, and it didn't disappoint. It's unhinged in the best of ways.

[Connor Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unintentional comedy.

[Odd · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Bookguide · Rating 3 out of 5]

Timothy Treadwell spent 13 years living in the wilderness of a grizzly bear reserve, with nothing more than a tent and a camera. He was convinced he could teach the world that it was possible to live in peace with grizzlies. He also set up a charity to raise money for bear conservation and education, lecturing in schools. He was convinced he was doing the right thing, but the more I read this book, the more I became convinced he was delusional. He put himself in ridiculously dangerous situations and treated the creatures around him almost as if they were aggressive pets. He did take some pretty amazing video footage and his relationship with Timmy the fox was delightful. Sadly, he’s famous because he and his girlfriend, who happened to be visiting him, were attacked and partly eaten by a bear. Werner Herzog made a documentary about him. This book was already in the works and was completed by a former girlfriend. It’s fascinating but slightly horrific knowing what happened. You might be interested in watching the documentary: http://www.documentarymania.com/playe...

“Preserving the quality of these habitats so that they can support brown grizzlies guarantees the success of the ecosystem. For the wilderness, bears are the equivalent of the canary in a coal mine.”

[Luke Koran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited August 2019:
I'll admit I thoroughly enjoyed this book at the time of my initial reading, as up until recently I was under the same spell of Timothy Treadwell's captivating charisma as many other people have encountered. It was so interesting in reading about Treadwell's experiences in such close proximity to Alaskan grizzly bears over the course of eight summers. Coupled along with Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man" documentary, I was fascinated by Treadwell's mission and willingness to throw away civilized life to live in the wilderness for months at a time, a place where he felt most at home. I guess I kind of saw a little bit of myself in Timothy, me being an outdoorsy person at heart and a desire to avoid a world of asphalt and steel. However, after reading Nick Jan's book on Treadwell's life, I began to revisit my initial unabashed captivation with this man and acknowledge that he possibly did more harm than good in protecting grizzly bears. For now, I'll leave my five star rating (though a lot of the scientific observations were borrowed from real scientists, which Treadwell was absolutely not), but the rational person needs to accept that Timothy Treadwell's life, mission, and death are probably not as deserving of admiration as the public has afforded him.

[Kiralyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Timothy's love of bears, his hope for them, and pure joy in sharing the same space with them, were wonderful to experience. The man did something crazy, followed his passion, and took what he gained from it to try and make the world see these creatures as he did. With reverence.

The fact that he was torn apart and eaten by a bear at the very site where he spent so much time with them, does not lessen what I gained from this book. I know other folks laugh and shake their heads at his foolishness, but personally I believe the man knew that anything could happen. I believe he packed more spirit and joy into those years in Alaska than most folks get in a lifetime.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy and quick to read; I was interested in reading about the bears and the Alaska landscape. But some of the info didn't sit right with me. There were times when the author would claim certain statistics without backing it up. I also was hoping for more insight into all the research the author claimed to have done when he was not in Alaska - such as how the author of Merle's Door incorporated research into his story of his life with Merle.Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog

[Fuzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an easy read. Among Grizzlies is a simple view of a mans love for bears. Timothy Treadwell was not a writer but he still wanted to share his love for his bears with others. The story of his time with the grizzlies will hopefully make the reader realize that bears are not just vicious bloodthirsty animals.

Give it to a child, give it to an adult...as long as they adore bears they will love this book.

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

oh, timothy treadwell. what can i say about this one? painfully sincere, but probably counterproductive in the final analysis. to top it off, the writing is execrable. werner herzog's excellent doc "grizzly man" does treadwell's passion justice while also maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism about his methods.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a funny, easy and interesting read. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading a memoir of sorts - someone's real life account of what they'd experienced. It really seemed more like a a fiction or fantasy book. It's a quick, delightful read that illuminates the peaceful and everyday side of the mighty giant and king of the forest, the grizzily bear.

[Bobbettylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read if one wants to be entertained. But I would not recommend it as serious science or as a model for wildlife research. After all, just a short time after this book was published the author and his girlfriend were killed and partially eaten by his beloved research subjects, Alaska brown bears.

[Jennifer McAuley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, what a freak, Timothy Treadwell is no more than a washed up drug and alcohol addict. He believes he is helping the bears by doing "scientific research" He does no more then get to close and make some general observations. But, the book is interesting enough, if you want a laugh.