Monster of God is a fascinating read about alpha predators and their relationship to both human beings and the ecosystem as a whole. Lions, tigers, bears, and crocodiles all hold important places the different regions in which they live, and Quammen takes a in-depth look at how these important animals impact the world around them, as well as what can be done to save them. If you don’t know much about ecology or biology, don’t worry about feeling lost. You get all the background you need as you read; Quammen takes important and interesting digressions into the realms of literature, history, sociology, film, paleontology, and conservation ecology.

The different chapters each focus chiefly on a different predator, but the book ties together well, bringing back information that has already been explored in earlier chapters. By no means a dry science book, Quammen diseminates the important information and makes it as interesting as any adventure story. The book is full of stories about the amazing situations he sometimes finds himself in, whether it’s hunting for crocodiles or riding a skidoo through Siberia. Also interesting are the stories told to him by the people who come in contact with the animals as part of their work and lives; buffalo herders in India, hunting guides in Romania, and tribesmen in Australia give their own perspectives on the situation, something that a middle-class white guy in North America (like me) couldn’t have possibly imagined. This is a page-turning study of the animals that hold such an important place in the world, as well as the people that live alongside them. Highly recommended.

I finished Quammen’s ‘Flight of the Iguana’ a few weeks ago, and was so impressed that I had to read more. ‘Monster of God’ is equally fascinating. What a writer!