Monster of God: The Man-eating Predator in the Jungles of History and the Mind (Hardcover)

Quammen focuses on four predators in this account - the Asian lion, the crocodile, bears in Romania and "Siberian" tigers. Surrounded by humans and their legends and lifestyles, this quartette symbolises our conflicting views of animals with reputations as "man-eaters". Disdaining accusations of "sexist" or other cultural labels surrounding his terms, Quamman confronts us with the realities of human-predator interactions. Lions, which once roamed from Atlantic Europe to Eastern Asia, have been pushed into meagre enclaves outside of Africa. They, along with the crocodiles, bears and Amur tigers are surrounded by human neighbours. Quammen explains that the long-term human residents, the Mahldari in India, Aborigines of Australia, the Romanian shepherds and Ugede of Eastern Russia have formed accomodating relationships with their proximate predator populations. The oft-repeated phrase is "don't bother them and they won't bother you".

Changes in political and economic forces, Quammen contends, bring changes to those relationships. While national governments may strive to protect these select species, local conditions are being overturned. Globalisation intrudes on local economic and political structures, changing market demands, resource allocation and use, and the lifestyles of both predators and their prey. Populations shift in response, habitats are invaded or destroyed and abrupt changes confront traditional lifestyles. These are adjustments forced within a lifetime, not over generations. Quammen shows how we must learn quickly and immediately before the damage from the changes are irreparable.

What role does a predator play in the natural order of life? Shouldn't we simply eliminate these "dangerous" lifeforms? Quammen's primary example seems wholly out of place at first glance. One researcher removed a predatory starfish from a section of beach near Seattle. The result, in a very short time, was a substantial shift in other species balance in the area. Quammen's own contacts among the topical predators' human neighbours echo the sentiment - remove the animals and the habitat follows. The impact is uncalcuable. The lesson is glaringly clear - we need these "ferocious" creatures to maintain the environment we inhabit.

Quammen departs from mainstream conservatism in this excellent study. The role of humanity may not be cast aside and species isolated for protection. He urges a role for hunting, for skins, for culling where needed. These activities, distasteful to some, can be beneficial when applied with informed controls. There are no simple answers to maintaining diversity. We must all be aware of the issues involved, and this book is a fine place to begin learning. Graced with a set of maps and an extensive bibliography, Monster of God is an important and erudite account. Put it at the top of your reading list. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]