A beast’s back pages

Ursus arctos horribilis, the great brown grizzly, may be the most feared and revered American carnivore. A symbol of untamed wilderness, grizzlies are the ultimate horror lurking around every bend on a backpacker’s trail.

Worshipped by Native Americans, reviled by pioneers and exterminated by game hunters and ranchers, grizzlies have dwindled to near extinction.

Busch’s almanac packs fascinating details about grizzly biology and history. The rambling, omnivorous beast is an ecological juggernaut, snagging migrating salmon by the thousands and gorging on 20,000 cutworm moths for an afternoon snack. Interactions between humans and grizzlies have not favored horribilis, as recounted in a long litany of doleful confrontations and advice on how to avoid them. Counterbalancing the fact-laced text are plenty of color photos and illustrations, providing a satisfying, vicarious peek at raw bear action.

A thoughtful, well-honed overview of a remarkable creature.

-- Susan Dworski