Shaun Ellis

This is an autobiographical account told by by a man with a passion. He has devoted his life to that passion to the extent that everything else suffers in comparison. The book begins with where and how he grew up and his early interactions with nature that gives the background to who the wolf man is. It then moves on to his first attempts to study wolves in their natural habitat when he manages to convince the Nez Percé tribe in Idaho that he is able to provide something different to their re-introduction project. He takes on the task of living as a wolf and being accepted as a member of the pack. For 2 years he lives as a wolf, eating and sleeping as his pack mates do. His endeavours do not endear him to the biologists who prefer to study from afar and his efforts and results are met with scepticism from this quarter.

Returning to civilisation, Mr. Ellis attempts to put what he's learned into practice firstly with training dogs and then with other wolf packs. The book also describes his relationship (or lack thereof) with his wife and children that they have together. It's obvious throughout the story where his priorities lie and this more than anything produces a lack of empathy for Mr. Ellis as does his later attempts to involve others in his project, willfully putting them in harm's way. To his credit, he does admit his failings in his human relationships and never tries to pass the blame onto others for how things work out.

I enjoyed reading of his interactions with the various wolves and how he applied the knowledge gained and there is plenty to learn here for dog owners also. I've since learnt that he has done a lot more TV work than that detailed here but I've not seen any of it so it hasn't altered my perceptions in any way.… (more)