Grizzly Years by Doug Peacock

Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness is a memoir by Doug Peacock, an environmentalist, writer, and naturalist, who is also known for his work with grizzly bears and his deep connection to the wilderness. The book reflects Peacock's personal journey into the wild, specifically his experiences observing and tracking grizzly bears in the American West, primarily in Yellowstone National Park and other remote regions of the Rocky Mountains.

The narrative intertwines Peacock’s passion for grizzlies with his own personal evolution. His fascination with these powerful and often misunderstood animals began during his time as a young man, when he worked as a wilderness guide and naturalist. Through vivid and captivating descriptions, Peacock shares his encounters with these majestic creatures, providing a rare and intimate glimpse into their behavior and the natural world.

Peacock’s story is also deeply influenced by his time in the Vietnam War, which left him with emotional scars that led him to seek healing in nature. His experiences with grizzly bears serve as a form of therapy and personal transformation, allowing him to confront his past trauma. The book is filled with reflections on the importance of wilderness conservation, the need to protect grizzly bears from the encroachment of human development, and the spiritual renewal that comes from immersing oneself in the natural world.

Grizzly Years is both a personal memoir and an advocacy piece for wilderness preservation. Peacock shares the raw and often dangerous realities of living in close proximity to grizzly bears, but he also conveys a deep respect for these animals and their role in the ecosystem. His writing is rich with philosophical musings about the wilderness and the importance of reconnecting with nature in a world increasingly disconnected from the wild.

Full disclaimer: the group rating is solely based on one member's review of the book. This book was generally hard to access: local libraries didn't have copies, and an audiobook wasn't available. For those that were able to acquire the book, only one person was able to complete it at the time of our discussion. As a result, we weren't able to have an involved discussion regarding this book, compared to the others we have read.

Regardless, we did talk about the wilderness and whether Peacock was justified in his mild vandalism and aversion to rules, such as those laid out by the National Park Service. Some book club members appreciated his in-depth descriptions of the war, which you might not have anticipated when first picking up a copy of this book. Conversation evolved into general bear facts, surviving bear attacks, and then devolved into the annual Fat Bear Week competition in Alaska. So it goes with book discussions.

Group mean rating: 5/10