Alaska Bear Tales

The author of this book, Larry Kanuit, is standing in front of my high school English class right now telling the students how he researches his books and how he writes. About myself: I was a journalist for 15 years before becoming a teacher; much of that career was spent in Alaska. I now teach in Bush Alaska. Most of my students are Native Alaskans. Reviewers who have stated that the author is inventing his stories are wrong. Period. Bear-lovers who say that the author is demonizing bears sound as if they have no real-life, consistent, up-close experience with bears. True, most bears leave you alone. Also true, bears are unpredictable and they will attack, maul, and kill you, without provication or apparent reason. Kanuit is explaining right now to the students how he interviews the victims (or survivors), uses police and fish and game documents, and essentially "writes a research paper." His research is good. I happen to know some of the same people in his stories, and their stories match the stories in the book. It's a good read. You won't want to walk into the Alaskan Bush without a good firearm, though.

I will admit a little that am am a little partial to Larry Kaniut's books. I was lucky enough to have Mr. Kaniut as n English Teacher when I was in Junior High in Anchorage around 1980. During that time Mr. Kaniut would read to us the sotries that are contained in Alaska Bear Tales. As a struggling student he made me want to read and write.I am lucky yo have a first edition copy of the book. In Alsak Bear Tales I knwo some of the people in the book so the stories are more real to me. Mr. Kanuit does a great job in pulling the reader into the story. His ability to get people to share the most horrific details of their encounters with bears keeps you wanting more.Anyone looking to read real life drama this is the book to start with. You will not wan tto put the book down. Luckt for us Mr. Kaniut has written more then one book. Enjoy!

This book is fantastic and I read this in one day. Literally. I picked it up and did not set it down until I had read every last word. Chills, thrills, and even some laughs.

I have spent a great deal of time over the past 20 years fishing with friends in the Alaskan woods and have seen many bears, browns and blacks. You become too comfortable and complacent after awhile. This book immediately instills new respect for the unexpected. I have ordered three books for my fishing buddies.

The stories are true life and death events of people who have been mauled by both black and brown bears in the Alaskan wilderness. This book gave me a new respect for bear and their habitat. Anyone who likes the outdoors where bears are present should read this book. A note of caution. This stories contian the bloody details that are the result of bear attacks. You may have a few sleepless nights on your next camping.