A welcome collection for those new to the Caras fold, as well as others who may have missed some of his earlier works. Caras' final chapter, from A Celebration of Dogs, appropriately stresses the importance of the bonding that takes place between people and their pets, and ultimately brings home one of the book's primary themes-that animals have intrinsic value and purpose, and that man needs to make a greater effort to insure their survival. The stories range from that of a salmon's danger-fraught seaward trek (from Sockeye: The Life of a Pacific Salmon), and an African lion's journey to maturity in the Serengeti (from Mare Simba: The African Lion), to a hummingbird's strenuous winter flight south (from The Endless Migrations), and a female kodiak bear's valiant struggle to defend her young against intruders (from Monarch of Deadman Bay). This, together with his broad knowledge of natural history, the keen firsthand impressions he brings to his tales (his research always includes traveling to each of his subject's habitats), and his overriding commitment to the welfare of all living creatures, animal and plant, adds up to fine reading. NEWLY RE-EDITED AND EXPANDED TO INCLUDE NEVER-BEFORE-READ SCENESHe said all the right things.He vowed to love me forever.He left without a note or an explanation.Alone and caring for our dying daughter, I am desperate for answers and a cure to save her.

What makes the selections from the various books particularly appealing is a combination of elements, with Caras' well-honed storytelling ability topping the list. Choice excerpts from ten of nature-writer Caras' previously published works (some of which, like Panther and The Custer Wolf, date back to the 1960's) that, together, provide an intimate look at man's interrelationship with animals and the environment.

Panther! by Roger A. Caras