Path of the Puma

August 6, 2018
In this thoroughly researched and deeply felt ode to the puma—otherwise known as the mountain lion and the cougar—Williams, a wildlife biologist in Montana, shares his expertise and passion for these majestic creatures. Williams has worked closely with pumas, fitting them with radio collars and installing wildlife cameras in their caves. He’s also examined others’ research on the species, such as analysis of their DNA to uncover their relation to other cats and chart their historic migrations. His passion for these big cats is unquestionable, as he amusingly shares his transition from working in a low-rent Fort Lauderdale marine park after graduating from college, to seeing a Discovery Channel special about pumas that converted him into a lifelong devotee of the species. Williams writes movingly of the challenges these animals face, many due to human encroachment on their habitats. He makes a strong case for the necessity of preserving—or at least peacefully coexisting with—the puma. He also includes stunning photographs that allow readers to see these majestic creatures in the wild. Written in accurate yet easy-to-understand scientific language, Williams’s heartfelt and comprehensive offering will appeal not only to wildlife biologists, but to nature lovers everywhere.

September 15, 2018

Williams (biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks) chronicles how the mountain lion has adapted throughout time, focusing on animals in North and South America, and how their role in the ecosystem is in constant flux. Williams performs field research and reaches out to local farmers and hunters to help them gain a better understanding of the cats and how to live with them in a sustainable way. Other than loosely following the author's career, the organization of the book is difficult to grasp. Too many unnecessary words throughout the narrative might also deter readers. But the beautiful photographs and calls to action are inspiring. Following the epilog, a section "What You Can Do" provides a list of organizations, links, and ideas to get started. Readers interested in conservation efforts, or at least open to discussions, will appreciate this book. Although Williams is a hunter, he kindly describes those who disagree with him. VERDICT For those open to learning more about conservation--and acting on that knowledge.--Elissa Cooper, Helen Plum Memorial Lib., Lombard, IL

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2018
A conservationist with a deep knowledge of pumas writes with infectious enthusiasm about their place in nature.Williams, a wildlife biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, shares bits of his personal life and his experiences with pumas not just in the Rocky Mountains of the American West, but in Chile and Argentina as well. The path of the puma, known also as the panther, mountain lion, or cougar, extends from the Yukon to Tierra del Fuego at the extreme south of Argentina; half of this work about the most widespread mammal in the Western hemisphere is set in Patagonia. The author fills his account with a host of characters he has known and worked with, including biologists, wildlife managers, hunters, ranchers, and gauchos. He introduces the puma as a silent stalker whose survival--indeed, its growth in both numbers and range--in North America has hinged on its invisibility. By contrast, in Patagonia, he finds that the animal is far more visible and that the conflicts between people, puma, and livestock loom large. Williams describes his role there as the bearer of important lessons of tolerance from Montana, and he describes the changes that are now beginning to restore the region's ecological integrity. While the book is an undisguised conservationist's plea, complete with an end-of-book "What You Can Do" section, it is not a harangue. The author's passion and his firsthand knowledge of his subject make the narrative highly readable. A noteworthy feature of this work is the presence of numerous full-color photographs throughout, sometimes scattered, sometimes grouped together. Of course, the pumas are the stars of the show, but other creatures--bears, sheep, horses, deer, and other wild cats--are also included. The many spectacular landscape photographs are a treasure on their own and worth the cover price.A handsome book that is well-balanced, instructive, and authoritative.

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