This one was interesting, although a little on the conversational side. There was a fair bit of repetitiveness that was entirely forgivable and in keeping with the tone- reading this book was just like sitting around the table chatting. I learned a lot, had some prejudices reinforced, and gained some talking points to trot out when there's nothing else to say to my herpetologically enhanced teenager. The parts about monkey-keepers were entirely alien and fascinating. The parts about big cat keepers were somewhat alien and fascinating. The parts about reptile keepers were not so alien and were more fascinating than all the rest. ( )

Do I have a sense of timing, or what? A few days after reading this book, Terry Thompson went out to his private menagerie of exotic animals, opened up the cages to release dozens of grizzly bears, wolves, tigers, lions, leopards, baboons and various other animals that are not native to Ohio. (I grew up in Ohio, so I know)

I'd be interested to hear what Laufer has to say about Thompson. I'm sure someone has enlisted him to comment on the events in Zanesville. If not, they should.

I was particularly interested in his interviews with tiger owners. One man in Idaho keeps a 350 pound tiger in his feed shop, insisting she's gentle and wouldn't hurt anyone. I shared Laufer's reaction--how degrading for this majestic animal to be on display in a feed shop, next to the bags of oats for horses and a sign asking for donations for the tiger's upkeep. (Tigers eat a lot.)

There's also an interview with Tippi Hedron, famous for her role in "The Birds." She now runs Shambala Preserve, a refuge for big cats born in captivity. A good many of them started off as pets. When they got to be unmanageable, their owners brought them to Shambala. Hedron has some interesting insights as to why people think they can "tame" these animals, and the shock they have when they find out exactly what it's like having a tiger in your backyard.

Laufer also writes about people who have snakes and chimpanzees, as well as the people who smuggle exotic animals into the country for sale. His negative attitude about owning exotic animals does come through, but I admit I share this attitude. It's insane for people to think they can control wild animals.

For example, our 15 pound cat is mean. He bites, he scratches, he kills squirrels and birds. The thought of having a cat 20 times his size is terrifying. And the thought of my neighbor having one is even worse. So sign those petitions. No one wants another Zanesville. ( )

if you like...the Orchid Theif

not a story, but factual yet chatty.
has some real-life short stories included

9.10