Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals, by Hal Herzog was quite the read! The author explores various … interactions … with animals, from those we keep as pets, to those we see as pests, to those that end up on the dinner table. A real eyeopener was the difference in the birds used for cock fighting (now illegal) to those raised for food. Which had a better life? The author is an anthro-zoologist and has combined economics, philosophy, psychology, etc. into a well balanced, thought provoking read. No great tirades here, ‘just the facts’ (to quote an old police show). (Okay, maybe he expresses his opinion ever so often, but never in a pushy way). Warning though … not for the faint of heart, he pulls no punches, either!

Park rangers do many things, I think I’ve mentioned that before from other books I’ve read on this subject. A Park Ranger’s Life: Thirty-two Years Protecting Our National Parks, by Bruce W. Bytnar, is a hands on look at many of them. Dealing with wildlife (both human and actual); tourists who do, well, stupid, things; natural disasters (they can be sent anywhere to help fight a forest fire); or management who don’t seem to truly understand what is needed for the job, it really is an most interesting career choice! There were some grammar and spelling issues, but overall not a bad read.

Reading Hermit With Dog