A journey through their seasons, in words and pictures.

"What good is a bear?" The author opens the book with this thought-provoking question and proceeds to answer it by taking us through an entire year in the lives of three bear species found in North America -- the brown, the black and the polar bear.

Beginning when the bears first wake from hibernation and give birth in February, Bears tells the story of an entire year as these magnificent animals hunt, feed, play, mate and breed until the return of winter, when the cycle begins again with the need to hibernate.

Bears inspire both affection and fear in us. The teddy bear is a familiar symbol of childhood and security, yet the notion of the bear as a dangerous killer has survived the taming of the wilderness and remains frightening to the camper, rancher and wilderness traveler.

In Bears, the author covers:

• Polar bears and their unique marine habitat
• Brown and black bears across their range
• Dangers from bears living too close to human habitation
• Biology and breeding
• The five bear species that do not live in North America

Bears: A Year in the Life is packed with facts and details and is lavishly illustrated with more than 125 remarkable color photographs.

 

by Matthias Breiter

Matthias Breiter's profile page

What good is a bear? Breiter asks. His photographs and examination of these formidable wild animals provide ample answers.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record

This attractive work is full of stunning photos -- some of them will have you saying 'Awwww' -- and a wealth of information.

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Astounding photos... but he also writes authoritatively and informatively about bears... fascinating stuff.

Pontiac Oakland Press

Breiter works a tremendous amount of natural history into this calendar approach, and his photo illustrations are both apt and beautiful.

Booklist

[Breiter's] remarkable photographs, some of them startlingly in-your-face, and his text offers a different perspective on these animals and why they belong among us.

Globe and Mail

Breiter's passion for the subject is clear... His images tell the story and the text is packed with interesting details.

Montreal Gazette

Beautifully illustrated... full of fascinating color photographs of these amazing animals in action.

Wildlife Activist

Breiter is an award-winning photographer... He really delivers here with some amazing shots.... In all, this is a wonderful reference work for both bear and nature lovers.

Canadian Camera