i learned a lot about ecology and how field research/science works. Allen documents published research and relates personal anecdotes in order to explain the complex relationship between the wolves and the other animals on Isle Royale.

moose, beaver, foxes, ravens, and whiskeyjacks as well as others form a tight living circle on the island. the flora and weather, too, are not ignored as very important to how well these animals thrive.

while his style rambles a bit, he is able to get the point across that what we see when we look at a place like Isle Royale is a sophisticated system that humans impact even as we seek to preserve it. most of their observations were made during winter when visitor activity was at a virtual standstill but he made it clear that the hiking trails, permanent campgrounds, fishing boats, and airplane harassment of the animals impacted the island's ecology greatly. leaving it to fend for itself is not really possible under these circumstances; the boundaries have already been compromised. the winter ice bridges formed between the mainland and island as well as flying and swimming animals create a not-quite-so-isolated environment as might first be thought.

Allen's musings on human society and our over-reliance on modern amenities that keep us away from nature were particularly moving for me.

not the best narrative science book but one well worth reading if for nothing else than the glimpse into how "real" science is done. ( )