Four Fifths a Grizzly : A New Perspective on Nature that Just Might Save Us All

by Douglas Chadwick

What do you think of when you think of Nature? Prolific author and National Geographic writer Doug Chadwick’s fresh look at human’s place in the natural world. In his accessible and engaging style, Chadwick approaches the subject from a scientific angle, with the underlying message that from the perspective of DNA humans are not all that different from any other creature. He begins by showing the surprisingly close relationship between human DNA and that of grizzly bears, with whom we share 80 percent of our DNA. We are 60 percent similar to a salmon, 40 percent the same as many insects, and 24 percent of our genes match those of a wine grape. He reflects on the value of exposure to nature on human biochemistry and mentality, that we are not that far removed from our ancestors who lived closer to nature. He highlights examples of animals using “human” traits, such as tools and play. He ends the book with two examples of the healing benefits of turning closer to nature: island biogeography and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. This book is a reflection on man’s rightful place in the ecological universe. Using personal stories, recounting how he came to love and depend on the Great Outdoors and how he learned his place in the system of Nature, Chadwick challenges anyone to consider whether they are separate from or part of nature. The answer is obvious, that we are an indivisible from all elements of a system that is greater than ourselves and should never be neglected, taken advantage of, or exploited. This is a fresh and engaging take on man’s relationship to nature by a respected and experienced author.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Environment, Ecology, Animals, Wildlife

256 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2021

Reviews

[L.G. Cullens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for inquisitive, objective minds.

A very readable book that takes a thorough look at our relationship with nature and all of the bonds that tie us to it. Not just the genes we have in common with other life forms, but also our physical selves [the microbes we are endowed with]. It also discusses proven ways we can take better care of ourselves and nature. And for you strawberry lovers there is a whole chapter and coda :-)

What this book brings to my mind is something Rachel Carson said (long before a fuller meaning was understood), "Man is part of Nature, and his war against Nature is inevitably a war against himself."

Take time to absorb all the information presented and you will be more aware of what is termed a living world, and why we and other multicellular creatures are holobionts (not individual life forms).

A very relevant excerpt from the book:
“Alright, so picture yourself chatting away with somebody. ... Let’s ... suppose you bring up an environmental or wildlife issue. He listens with a polite expression as you speak. Then—while living with trillions of microbes inside, many of them busy providing him with go-power and digestive abilities and defending him against disease; while more microbes are in and on everything he eats and everything he touches; while he exhales tens of thousands with each breath and has tens of thousands more drifting off his skin; while he moves around in that microbial mist interacting with the live personal mists of every person and pet in the vicinity; while he is nourished, oxygenated, and influenced in countless other ways by organisms large and small, underfoot and overhead, close by and all around the only living planet we know—this person offers a palms-up shrug and says, “To tell the truth, I’m really just not all that into nature.”

“He is as human as a human can be and is at the same time a walking, talking ecosystem—a smartphone-operating, grocery-shopping, dreaming one moment and credit card-swiping the next, traffic-jam-hating, surely strawberry-shortcake-loving, music-playing carrier of universally shared genes and the host for a collection of microbiomes. Lacking the invisible hordes normally inhabiting his mouth and guts and skin, he might survive for a while—in a bubble with artificial life support. Lacking mitochondria, he would die. So you’d only be telling him the truth straight-up if you replied, “Well, nature is not really what you think it is, you’re not really what you think you are, and you’re only around because nature is totally into you.” But get ready. An awkward silence might follow … and last a while.

"An artist commissioned to illustrate the way many folks think about our position in the living world might paint a scene with us as the shining capstone atop a grand pyramid of species. Instead, the growing collection of revelations from recent studies sticks humankind within a tangled skein of other life forms. You, every friend, enemy, lover, dignitary, and desperado along with every other animal, every plant, and every fungus you’ll ever meet, exist as a union. This doesn’t refer to being the product of two parents. It means each of us is by nature a collaboration or collective—a joint venture—of fellow Earthlings.

“... for goodness’ sake don’t look for insight from anybody not particularly interested in the fate of nature on a living planet, much less willing to do something about it. That holobiont missed the memo to Know Thyself.”


“Do unto ecosystems as you would have them do unto you.” ~ Douglas Chadwick

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! We are definitely not separate from nature at all, and that is perfectly highlighted. I love the way the author connects the human presence with everything around us, from the big to the small, from animals to plants to bacteria. Beautiful photography, easy to read but very informative! Pleasantly surprised by this book. I even learned some new things about strawberries, haha! Definitely recommended, not just for biologists.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to read. Opinions are my own honest thoughts.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this non-fiction science book that described how alike all mammals are to one another. I especially enjoyed the anecdotes the author includes describing his time exploring and observing nature. I highly recommend this for all nature lovers and science inclined readers.

I received an e-ARC of this book by Patagonia and Ingram Publisher Services via Edelweiss. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Justin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could have been called 4/5s a strawberry ;) *spoiler
You learn a lot about strawberries. The book is entertaining but also like many books about our environment, incredibly depressing. Chadwick brings it back around but sadly this book is a reminder that humans are dangerously ruining this world and we have only a small window of time before the collapse of so many species of animal are no more. Really informative book. Thanks to the great ones at PRHAudio for this complimentary audiobook!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the book I was expecting and a surprising and enlightening discussion of our connectivity to nature- as explicitly stated in the title- duh. A refreshing discussion of man’s role in nature and what we can do to reverse or change the destruction of wildlife and our environment. Gorgeous photos that synch with the narrative.

We are now in the Anthropocene period and wildlife is decreasing due to habitat loss, pollution, and our inability to share and respect other living creatures. Traditional classification of living things is proving inadequate as we uncover more knowledge of the unseen world. That’s not a problem but an awakening according to Chadwick. Symbiosis. Holobiants. We are like nested Russian dolls with our DNA and then the DNA of the bacteria in our cells. Ecosystem. We are an ecosystem. To deny our relationship with nature is not to know ourselves.

I’m hungry for more of Douglas Chadwick’s books.

[Grace Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realllllly enjoyed, my eyes glazed over during the science parts tho but that’s just because I’m a little dumb

[Sascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first appeared on: https://saschadarlington.me/2021/07/1...

One of the quotes that author Douglas Chadwick provides in a later section of his new book Four-Fifths a Grizzly is from another book, The Twelves Steps to Happiness by Joe Klass: “The truth shall set you free . . . but first it will piss you off.” And this fit me as I read through about 70% of Four-Fifths a Grizzly and decided that me and my temper needed a break. Chadwick and his facts didn’t upset me as much as realizing how completely oblivious human beings are and continue to be even after being faced with a virus that restructured our world and climate change and the decimation of ecosystems all around us. So, anyway, my best intentions of reviewing this book nearer to its publication date failed.

Douglas Chadwick, a wildlife biologist, author, and contributor to National Geographic, is a very personable writer with a dry wit that works well as he discusses the relationship of human beings to nature. He informs the reader that humans are nature and nature is us. We are inextricably linked to everything around us via shared DNA. The number of organisms inside and outside of us just might make your skin crawl. Heh.

The first part of the book brings to light our place on earth, how our being human and doing what humans do has affected the world, how accidental introductions of species can decimate an area–such as the rat stowing away on ships and thriving on islands on which it has no predator and then its annhilating vulnerable species. And, what can be done to try to reverse that destruction. (Yes, thankfully there are biologists out there trying to turn things around.)

Chadwick does present a lot of facts, most of which I found interesting and alarming (“of every ten wild animals that roamed Earth half a century ago, only three stand in their place today”) and sometimes disheartening–and some created a white noise in my head, but that was me and the feeling of being back in Sophomore biology class–but he has an irrepressible optimism that shines through and provides hope.

As a nature writer, Chadwick has had the opportunity to participate in many interesting studies ( like grizzlies and whales!) and provides some anecdotes and observations here to off-set specifics about mitochondria.

When I finished reading this book, I felt like I had just received a call-to-action–not that I hadn’t felt one before, but there’s something about being presented with so much evidence that makes you feel the urgency; as if droughts, melting glaciers, and wildfires hadn’t accomplished that.

“Knowing what we know now, it would be good for a species that names itself sapiens–Latin for “wise”–to start choosing smarter paths forward. If we can quit congratulating ourselves for being exceptional creatures long enough to embrace a more realistic vision of what human nature actually is, that would count as a very promising and much healthier change of trajectory."

I could quite easily continue to discuss this book but instead I’ll just leave you with this: I highly recommend this one for nature lovers as well as anyone who cares about our place in the natural world and what we can do to conserve and protect our world.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharyn Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I thought it would be, therefore I may not be the best reviewer. The book has a lot of information and opinions on evolution and the pre-history of mankind with dates, statistics, and suppositions about that period of time. This is not something that interests me. However it has lots of good points and information on our relationships with the animal kingdom. It also extols the virtues of letting your kids play out in the dirt, spending time in nature, moving our bodies, and encourages us to treat animals, from microscopic to gigantic, with the proper respect and care. For these things I am grateful. The author depicts many examples of symbiotic relationships between different types of living creatures and also describes animals playing for the sake of entertainment and relating to others outside their species. It is a more fact heavy and textbook-like account then I thought it would be. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, written by a scientist, about the Earth. Douglas Chadwick makes the point that when you compare DNA, humans are very similar to brown bears. In fact, all animals and plants are just a few genetic steps away from modern humans. Unfortunately, the (supposedly superior) modern humans are currently destroying the planet. It is a refreshing and frightening point of view.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as we’d like to imagine humans being the standout and stand alone of Earth’s organisms, it just isn’t true. We share much of our genetic material with the other beasties that live here – sharing 80% of our DNA with grizzly bears (as the author says, that makes us 4/5ths grizzly!) and over 98 percent of our DNA with our most closely related species, chimpanzees and bonobos.

Many are familiar with commensal organisms where each species is mutually benefited or true symbiotic organisms such as the joining of fungus and alga or cyanobacteria into a distinct symbiotic lichen. Newer discoveries include that the fungi long known to be found along plant roots, the mycorrhizae, are not just free-loaders but true symbiotes with the plants.

Fewer recognize that humans also fall into these categories with their millions of bacteria and yeast providing digestion in the human gut, as well as protection against harmful micro-organisms on skin and mucous membranes. As the author jokes we are not a single being; each of us is legion.

Because we may not recognize the inter-connectedness of species at the present time, doesn’t mean that the connections don’t exist – and if we don’t know the connections, each time extinctions happen, we cannot predict the brokenness caused.

I was interested in his descriptions of bringing islands back to balance by eliminating invading species, and also the Y2Y – the Yellowstone to Yukon – Corridor where wildlife could travel unimpeded over long distances.

One of this books' strengths is that is beautifully illustrated including many gorgeous photos. It’s also printed on heavier than usual paper that has an extra nice feel to it – probably chosen for the photographs, but it does enhance the textural experience.

[Jeany Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

這本書的作者是長期幫國家地理雜誌寫稿的作者。所以書裡充滿美麗的彩色照片！我是開手機看的才發現照片是彩色的～

現在的自然科普寫作的作者都好硬核啊，上次的那本吃沼澤肉，這本書作者從象糞裡面挑出堅果、敲開外殼來吃⋯（據說滋味很好）

然後解釋他不孤單，很多動物也會在象糞裡覓食（？）

欸。⋯從象糞裡面撿堅果來吃是所為何來🤣🤣🤣🤣

書裡談到了很多自然與人，除了統計數據外還有一些作者跑去荒野和動物互動的小故事，像是從象糞裡揀出堅果來吃之類的（？）

總之是本看起來很流暢但想必我很快就會忘記裡面的小知識的一本書吧😅

不過書裡提到有兩個比較重要的計劃，一個是移除外來種/入侵種生物，以保護島嶼的生物多樣性。

一個是Y2Y，也就是串連美國到加拿大洛磯山脈多個國家公園2000英哩左右的區域，讓動物遷徙移動的時候，不會因為跑到國家公園外就沒有棲地了，而是人類動態調整開發的型態和方式。

另外一個小知識我覺得也蠻有趣的，是每一群虎鯨喜歡吃的東西不一樣，有些吃魚有些吃海豹，大家各自和自己的群體一起，繁殖也只找同一群的，可能之後就會慢慢變成不同物種了也不一定。

雖然書名是灰熊，但書裡有很多這類的草莓小知識XDDDD

結果草莓的香氣其實是靠微生物們🦠！！

「草莓香氣中，公認最重要的兩個成份，稱為味喃（furanoids）。這兩種化合物並非由植物本身獨力產生，而是需要活在草莓植物的綠色組織中的細菌協助完成。這種叫扭脫甲基桿菌的微生物
（Methylobacterium extorquens），與草莓之間是一種典型的共生關係，是雙方都能互惠的利用關係。細菌群落在宿主的細胞中，找到有利它們的環境。它們不是直接吃掉組織，而是吸收並消化掉植物所排出的甲烷。有吃有住的甲基桿菌，分泌前驅物質，引發味喃的合成，作為回報。味喃則又回過頭來，突顯草莓的風味與香氣，將種子的播種者吸引過來。」

「根內球囊霉（Rhizophagus irregularis）是另一種共生微生物——依附在草莓上的菌根真菌。它們纏在草莓的根系上，長達數百英里的隱形小球囊黴絲，纏繞彎曲，四處探游，戳穿土壤的顆粒，拓展每株草莓吸取遠方土壤水分和養分的能力，並深及根部無法鑽入的小隙縫中。菌根的每根徽絲尾端，也會直接從草莓儲存糖和碳水化合物的根部細胞中，獲取些微的報酬。」

「螢光假單胞菌（Pseudomonas fluorescens）被稱為共生物這種菌經常與另一物種共存，它或許有利其福祉，卻不求宿主回報，只要宿主能受它的存在即可。草莓是假單胞菌的化學物質受益者，這些化學物質能驅除或殺死有害細菌、致病真菌，以及某些會吞噬微生植物，稱為線蟲的小蟲。」

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ode to the wonders of life in all its different forms, from microbes to megafauna and everything in between. Chadwick expounds on how related we humans are to all life as embodied in the shared evolutionary history evident in our DNA. And from an ecological perspective, we large bodied creatures are an amalgam of microbiota, bacteria crawling all over inside and on our bodies, while multicellular organisms are all cooperating parts of prokaryotes, mitochondria, choloroplasts in plants and other organelles. Seen from this view, we are inextricably tied to all other species inhabiting the only planet we know that harbors life.

While certain chapters may seem off tangent and quirky, they were nonetheless interesting enough and brief enough for the reader to skim through if so inclined. And beautiful color photos interspersed among the pages were a delight to behold. What was not were the phonetic descriptions of long technical names and words, rather unnecessary and distracting for me.

[Bellatuscana Bellatuscana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, but I felt like the emphasis on trying to make everything connect made it really confusing. It jumps from idea to idea (such as from conservation groups, to Yellowstone and then to grassland within a few paragraphs. The essay he wrote on his experience with a grizzly was one that I found really interesting but I wanted to know more about who he was and how he was going to all these trips around the world. Instead, he focuses heavily on biology and microbiology - using terminology that is extremely technical. I found that I learned a little about grizzly behavior and the genetic makeup of strawberries but there was no major new perspective that I could develop on nature. I also learned that mice impact the coral reef structure of the island of Georgia in South America, but wouldn’t be able to tell you exactly how. Having someone with less technical knowledge reread this manuscript for publication and rewriting it with more personal emotions / experiences would’ve been more helpful in giving it a more broader appeal to us non-science majors.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly eye-opening, easy to follow and with some of the most gorgeous photographs I’ve seen, this book talks about the interconnectedness between all life on earth (and, maybe, beyond). Animals or plants, we all have so much DNA in common that it’s mind blowing. I enjoyed reading about the author’s experiences working for National Geographic and his encounters with some of my favorite “cousins” (I love bears!) As an animal lover, it’s heartwarming to see the compassion that he shows towards all creatures, and how he discusses conservation, extinction and possible solutions without ever being judgmental or preachy. Some parts were a little too technical for me, but most of the content was clear enough that I ended up grasping it. Whatever I missed, there’s always the gorgeous pictures.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ Patagonia!

[Bekah Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book enough! His point of view is scattered throughout the book, but it backed up by solid facts. Change is necessary for species to survive and adapt. Changing our Human mindset to include the organisms that we are so connected with will be essential to our survival, and this book does a great job of explaining that. I love how it is written in a way for a non-science expect to read and understand, but is still technical enough that a scientist (such as myself) still enjoys reading and learning from it. I have to say, my favorite chapter was the one on strawberries. This is a must read! I learned so much, and I'm so excited to see this type of mindset spread, not only in the scientific community, but as a larger social mindset as well.

[John Hintz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you miss the old Stephen J. Gould books of natural history essays, and even more so if you'd like a contemporary version of that with more of a human-impacts-on-the-environment emphasis, this book is for you. It's readable, funny, incredibly enlightening, and a good mix of clear-eyed analysis of how humans are wrecking the planet alongside hopeful ideas for how we might view our relationship with non-human nature differently and improve things in the process. Unless you've been living in a cave for fifty years, you know things are not great out there. This book doesn't serve to make you feel any worse than you already do. Yet, it's honest and frank in its assessment. That is quite an achievement.

[YingYu Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most mind-blowing books I have ever read -- informative, and well-researched.

If I have read this in 2021, it will be my most recommended book of the year, as the visual arrangement, pictures, words, and the breathing of patterns are just right to the point.

While info-packed, this book does not bore readers with statistics or overwhelm the readers with jargons. I cannot believe how much work the author and editors may have put into this beautiful book.

Thank you for the choice of words, pictures, and the stories of life, beings, and connection. I simply can't put this down even when I am in the middle of juggling between writing and classes.

[Jan Reatherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A local nature center has featured this book for an upcoming discussion. What a pleasant surprise. A very readable science based book explores the relationship between humans and how we relate to and fit into the scheme of life and nature. I glazed over some of the more in-depth deep dives into the science but those moments were rare. The author presents the information without preaching or blaming anyone for the current circumstances stating that humans are simply being human. We are where we are so blame gets us nowhere but we also need to seriously rethink the way we relate to and view our place in nature and simple changes can make a big difference.

[Meagan O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to know how much more related and close to nature we are? Read this book.

Every non animal and non nature lover needs to read this. Every politician in the U..S, should be required to read this book (one of many). In a world where nature is being ripped apart for stupid data centers and alleged clean green energy as well as annihilating wildlife especially our keystone species they would see why most people are compelled to stand up against our wild lands and wildlife being destroyed. We are connected. We feel it to our core. What harms the wild and wild ones harms us all.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. For anyone curious about their place in the greater scope of nature to people looking to expand their worldview in terms of what makes us us, there’s something here for everyone. I found it a welcome antithesis to the notion that it’s humanity’s right to subjugate nature in that it places us firmly within nature. It built on my own notions of place as a scientist, blending the novel with the familiar, and put into prose some of my own thoughts on the subject which can tend toward the jumbled at times. Definitely worth a read.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book is a nice hook, but the subtitle is a better indicator of the ambition of the author. Doug Chadwick is an excellent wildlife researcher and writer on that subject, but this is almost an attempt at a Sand County Almanac for the 21st century. I doubt it's destined to that kind of fame and impact, but the concepts, examples of effective conservation, and ideas espoused in the book make it one of the best environmental reads in recent years.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A contemplative reflection on human's interaction with the natural world, without dwelling on the destructive tendencies of the former. Instead, the author highlights the interconnectedness and mutual dependency, showcasing what we stand to lose. Intermixed in all of this is a stunning collection of photos.

[TL Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid nature read that kept its focus throughout. Lots of different topics are covered, but it keeps tying back to the main theme. Also includes different ways to think about nature concepts presented wtih facts about particular organisms. I read it in sections, which was a nice approach to keep the info from being too much at once.

[leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went in with expectations and had to overcome those. Once I did I found this book to be delightful. A refresh on science and update to everything I was taught as a student that scientists have learned more about. I wished for a little bit more on things we could do but also was happy to see that the two main asks were fairly simple. Also pretty pictures!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this pick from the Glacier Book Club. Science and conservation all wrapped up in one book with insight into many species. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in science, nature, conservation . . .

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the message of this book is clear, someone without a biology background may get a little bit lost. I found the book to be an excellent read, but parts of it do read more like a textbook than a recreational read.

[Pamela Okano · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5ths a grizzly refers to the fact that humans share 80 percent of the same genes as grizzly bears. The author, a noted wildlife researcher, provides a different approach to looking at nature in the hope that we can somehow reverse the alarming extinction rate of animals and plants

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit over my head with extensive research, but very interesting and compelling arguments about preserving nature

[Niel Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating! Sometimes we forget how connected we are to nature and strawberries. This book was a wonderful companion on my trip to Glacier National Park.

[Mark Castaneda · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty standard modern preservationist literature BUT the added benefit of dozens of high quality pictures, both to illustrate points and for the innate beauty of the planet and scenic landscapes around us!! I liked. Nothing too new to me, but great for younger folks or people who have been rarely exposed to environmentalism