The Wisdom of Wolves

February 19, 2018
The Dutchers (The Hidden Life of Wolves) are sentimental but not saccharine as they fondly recount their time with the Sawtooth Pack, a grouping of wolves that Jim constructed in the Idaho wilderness nearly three decades ago from litters of pups in order to film their social behaviors. The authors challenge the cultural perception of wolves as ruthless with more positive stories of wolf behavior, arguing that “many of the qualities that make a wolf successful at being a wolf also represent the best in human nature” and organizing their observations into categories of virtuous behaviors such as “Lead with Kindness,” “Never Stop Playing,” and “Find Compassion.” The Dutchers revel in the wolves’ individual personalities, sharing stories as if they were doting grandparents (“it was absolutely endearing to watch the three pups try to howl”). Each author’s prose is subtly distinctive; Jim brings in a smattering of history and politics, while Jamie tends more toward gentle anthropomorphizing. This optimistic expression of faith in the everyday wisdom of wolf and humankind alike shows the wolves as a reflection of the best in humans. B&w photos.

March 1, 2018

Should wolves be allowed to return to the former lands of their ancestors? For naturalists Jim and Jamie Dutcher, life with the wolves is fascinating. Each day, for numerous years of observations and research, they have followed the Sawtooth Pack in Idaho, learning amazing family values of pack behavior. This extensive research also leads to probing questions: Can humans and wolves peaceably coexist? Ranchers now occupy these areas and live uncomfortably with the animals, which are often viewed as the nightmares of fairy tales. The lessons the authors learn are surprising in that humans still have difficulty with these values. Previously, the couple has combined their talents into books such as The Hidden Lives of Wolves and the documentary, Wolves at our Door. In alternating chapters, the authors describe the inner lives of the Sawtooth Pack, especially in regards to trust, respect, curiosity, compassion, playfulness, unity, and loyalty--cherishing each moment and each individual. VERDICT An accessible book for nature lovers that imparts wisdom for humanity. For all readers in need of a reminder to be the best that they can be.--Teri Davis, Council Bluffs, IA

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2017
In 1993 and 1997, the Dutchers produced two documentaries about the Sawtooth Pack, a group of captive wolf pups raised in an enclosed area in Idaho and observed by a film crew to provide insights into their behavior and habits. The films were made largely before the reintroduction of wolves in the West, and the Dutchers were involved in a growing movement comprised of biologists, conservationists, and filmmakers determined to discover the best way for wolves to thrive as they return to their ancestral homelands. The Wisdom of Wolves draws on the experiences gained while filming the Sawtooth Pack and provides many behind the scenes moments with individual animals. Written in the first-person, it shifts between the authors as they share what it was like to watch the wolves grow up and also what became of many of them after the cameras stopped rolling. Wolf lovers will appreciate the follow-up to the original movies, and animal and wildlife lovers, especially in wolf territory, will be drawn to this latest addition on an ever-popular topic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)