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Wolves of Minong: Isle Royale's Wild Community
A lively study of the relationship between predator and prey
- GenresNonfictionHistory
528 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 1, 2013
i learned a lot about ecology and how field research/science works. Allen documents published research and relates personal anecdotes in order to explain the complex relationship between the wolves and the other animals on Isle Royale.
moose, beaver, foxes, ravens, and whiskeyjacks as well as others form a tight living circle on the island. the flora and weather, too, are not ignored as very important to how well these animals thrive.
while his style rambles a bit, he is able to get the point across that what we see when we look at a place like Isle Royale is a sophisticated system that humans impact even as we seek to preserve it. most of their observations were made during winter when visitor activity was at a virtual standstill but he made it clear that the hiking trails, permanent campgrounds, fishing boats, and airplane harassment of the animals impacted the island's ecology greatly. leaving it to fend for itself is not really possible under these circumstances; the boundaries have already been compromised. the winter ice bridges formed between the mainland and island as well as flying and swimming animals create a not-quite-so-isolated environment as might first be thought.
Allen's musings on human society and our over-reliance on modern amenities that keep us away from nature were particularly moving for me.
not the best narrative science book but one well worth reading if for nothing else than the glimpse into how "real" science is done.
moose, beaver, foxes, ravens, and whiskeyjacks as well as others form a tight living circle on the island. the flora and weather, too, are not ignored as very important to how well these animals thrive.
while his style rambles a bit, he is able to get the point across that what we see when we look at a place like Isle Royale is a sophisticated system that humans impact even as we seek to preserve it. most of their observations were made during winter when visitor activity was at a virtual standstill but he made it clear that the hiking trails, permanent campgrounds, fishing boats, and airplane harassment of the animals impacted the island's ecology greatly. leaving it to fend for itself is not really possible under these circumstances; the boundaries have already been compromised. the winter ice bridges formed between the mainland and island as well as flying and swimming animals create a not-quite-so-isolated environment as might first be thought.
Allen's musings on human society and our over-reliance on modern amenities that keep us away from nature were particularly moving for me.
not the best narrative science book but one well worth reading if for nothing else than the glimpse into how "real" science is done.
January 23, 2013
This had to go back to the library before I was finished with it, but what I did read was charming. Written in the 70s, it's a review of the study of the wolves and moose on Isle Royale. The author was one of a group of scientists who spent several winters on the island (brrr!), tracking the wolves and moose.
I would love to read an update to this book, covering the past 40 years.
I would love to read an update to this book, covering the past 40 years.
June 21, 2013
I missed by 1 year having Durward Allen as a Wildlife professor at Purdue University, but I was able to go to several lectures he gave over the years. I found his intelligence and devotion to his research inspiring. I admired his ability to grab your attention, whether in a lecture or in his writings.
March 15, 2010
This book was a little heavy in spots, but well, well worth the read. In other spots (the non-heavy ones) it could be quite amusing, and it was all worth it for the science and history of the wolf study.
October 2, 2007
Slow at some points, but overall a very worthwhile read. Especially since I was going backpacking on Isle Royale...
January 22, 2026
Surprisingly funny and poignant at times.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews