The Tiger by John VaillantMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
After a lengthy discussion about what we were reading, Tahmoh Penikett told me to read this book, The Tiger by John Vaillant. He sold me it as a true story about a tiger that seeks revenge on a hunter. It is that, but it is also much more. It is really the history of the Amur (formerly known as Siberian) tiger and the humans that coexist in their territory. The book tells the stories of different men who have given their lives to these tigers, literally and figuratively. I say men because while there are women in the book, it doesn't seem that they tangle with tigers nearly as often as men do. These tigers are big, smart, very dangerous, and absolutely stunning. I have a giant painting of one in my house's entryway. That might betray who I was rooting for in the book. It is awful that they have been hunted to near extinction. I don't blame them for seeking revenge. This is not an easy read for an animal lover. I even felt bad for the people who were having to hunt because it was necessary for survival. None of it should be necessary and yet, this is the world we have created. It made me pretty sad. A fascinating read for those who are into history, conservation, and/or tigers.
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