"From one of the finest nature writers at work in America today -- a lyrical, dramatic, illuminating tour of the hidden domain of wild animals

"Whether recalling the experience of being chased through the Grand Canyon by a bighorn sheep, of swimming with sharks off the coast of British Columbia, of watching a peregrine falcon perform acrobatic stunts at two hundred miles per hours, or of engaging in a tense face-off with a mountain lion near a desert water hole, Craig Childs captures the moment so vividly that he puts the reader in his boots.

"Each of the compelling narratives in The Animal Dialogues focuses on the author's own encounter with a particular species and is replete with astonishing facts about the species' behavior, habitat, breeding, and life span. The glory of each essay, however, lies in Childs's ability to portray the sometimes brutal beauty of the wilderness, to capture the individual essence of wild creatures, to transport the reader beyond the human realm and deep inside the animal kingdom."
~~front flap

This is an amazing book! Each essay is a perfect little jewel, leading the reader into the life of a wild animal, bird, raptor, insect or fish. You see with the animal's eyes, smell with its nose, feel the rush of cascading hormones during the rut, tremble and cower in fear as a predator draws near ...

Childs must have spent the better part of his adult life in the wilderness, to have had so many astonishing encounters. Most people are lucky to have two or maybe three -- he's survived hundreds. To experience the beauty of the remote wilderness, to walk in the boots of a consummate naturalist, to be transported into the body of an animal or bird and experience life through their eyes and senses ... read this book. You won't be able to put it dow ( )

The author has spent a lot of time in nature. This book brings together essays he has written on various animals/wildlife he has come into contact with in his travels, along with extra information about those animals.

I listened to the audio, and it was ok. Similar to short stories, I found some more interesting than others, but it was easier than I’d have liked to become distracted when listening. Some of the ones I was able to keep a bit more focus on: mosquito (and maybe not one one would have thought an essay to be written on!), squid, wasp, coyote, raven, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, praying mantis. There were quite a few chapters on different birds, but I did lose focus on some of those (though I love birds!). I was definitely less interested in fish and his exploits fly-fishing. ( )

An amazing writer. Really brings the natural world to life. I'm so grateful that Craig Childs chose to share his experiences. These are stunning tales of things I will never experience. The beauty of his prose is amazing. Some stories will make you laugh and others will startle you. All will open your eyes to another world. ( )

interesting encounters with animals

The book is filled with incredible encounters with all sorts of wild creatures.