Karen Brewster

200- to 300-word description:
This life history book provides insight into how David R. Klein combined his life-long love of the outdoors with training in ecology and what has inspired and motivated him throughout his career in wildlife conservation and management in Alaska. The focus is not on his scientific findings per se, but to tell the stories of how this science was done, to show the inspiration behind the research, and to expose the thinking underlying particular scientific theories. In this first-hand account of how science and biological fieldwork has been carried out in Alaska in the last sixty years, Dave discusses his role as the leader of the Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Unit and his research on animal/habitat relationships of Arctic ungulate species (caribou, muskoxen, and reindeer) and their behavior and adaptations to this extreme environment, and highlights work with graduate students, many of whom went on to become successful wildlife managers in Alaska and around the globe. In addition, this book shows the evolution of Alaska’s wildlife management regimes from territorial days to statehood to the era of big oil. The hope is that Dave’s outlook, philosophy, and approach toward sustainability, wildlife management, and conserving our natural world will inspire the next generation to ensure the survival of our fragile planet in an ever-changing global society. The first portion of the book is comprised of stories from Dave’s life collected during oral history interviews, while the latter section contains essays written by Dave about philosophical topics of importance to him, such as eco-philosophy, the definition of wilderness, and the morality of hunting.
 
100-word description:
This is an innovative and collaborative life history book about one of Alaska's pioneering wildlife biologists. This book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of Alask history and the story of the birth and evolution of Alaska’s wildlife studies programs and wildlife management regimes. This first-hand description of the early days of scientific exploration in Alaska highlights a behind-the-scenes view of how science is done and will inspire younger scientists and conservation activists.
 
 
One sentence description:
This is an innovative and collaborative life history book about one of Alaska's pioneering wildlife biologists and provides a behind-the-scenes view of how science is done.