A good collection of bear stories but....July 17, 2001 5 out of 6 found this review helpful
The "rapid fire" writing style renders this book difficult to read. The book is 300 pages long and it contains over 200 bear stories. Some are only a few words long and lack detail to such an extent that I wonder why they were included. Some are loaded with useful information. Others are simply pointless. Most were taken from a magazine verbatim.
Cynthia Dusel-Bacon's story alone was worth the price of the book. She wrote it herself after her terrible mauling and Larry Kaniut quoted it. Read her story and tell me you don't think black bears are dangerous and predatory.
I'd buy this book and keep it on my book shelf but I must tell you that I couldn't finish it because the last few chapters were simply too boring to be tolerable.
What an author and what a bookNovember 12, 2000 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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!
a well thought and entertaingin bookNovember 12, 2000 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I read this book and the sequal to it and found this and the other book to be a fairly accurate depiction af a bears traits and also it showed the bear as not a sensless savege killer but shed a little light on his behavior and his reactions to human interaction. Mr Kanut took the time to research his topic and in my mind this is a book that I can read over and over again. Also the fact that he pulled no punches in each of his stories no matter who was to blame for the encounter or the outcome of the encounter.
Deplorable collection of sensationalistic bear attack talesAugust 16, 1999 7 out of 24 found this review helpful
Alaska Bear Tales doesn't let facts get in the way of a good story
Must Read!August 12, 1999 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
