Cougars: Solitary Spirits

I love cougars and Olson's writing is fabulous. "My hair was marching forward on my head . It seemed like I could smell the acrid odor of adrenaline pouring from every pore in my body. ...It was above me on the slope, and slightly behind, the classic stalk position of the cougar. I knew it would rush in giant leaps...the last leap would accomplish three things - it would knock me flat, the front claws would close around my body, and the bite at the back of my neck would be powerful and instant. My neck vertebrae would separate, pithing me like an experimental frog....I almost left my skin behind when the `cougar' snorted." The cougar transformed into a mule deer, and fear gave way to relief and musings, "From far back in my own genetic mists, I had still remembered what it was like to be prey." If this beautiful predator fascinates you, Solitary Spirit will be a good addition to your library.

This is an excellent book. Written in a comprehensive and interesting way, it covers very well all the aspects of the cougar's life. It focuses especially, on disipating myths and misinformation surrounding this beautiful and elusive animals. Statistics, status, distribution and the human interaction are also described here. But perhaps the best part of this book are the beautiful full-color photographs that grace every page. I must recomend this book highly, indeed, because at it's price, it's also the best buy you can make.