Once They Were Hats: In Search of the Mighty Beaver by Frances Backhouse (Englis

Description: Once They Were Hats by Frances Backhouse Beavers, those icons of industriousness, have been gnawing down trees, building dams, shaping the land, and creating critical habitat in North America for at least a million years. Once one of the continents most ubiquitous mammals, they ranged from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Rio Grande to the edge of the northern tundra. Wherever t FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Beavers, those icons of industriousness, have been gnawing down trees, building dams, shaping the land, and creating critical habitat in North America for at least a million years. Once one of the continents most ubiquitous mammals, they ranged from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Rio Grande to the edge of the northern tundra. Wherever there was wood and water, there were beavers -- 60 million (or more) -- and wherever there were beavers, there were intricate natural communities that depended on their activities. Then the European fur traders arrived. In "Once They Were Hats," Frances Backhouse examines humanitys 15,000-year relationship with Castor canadensis, and the beavers even older relationship with North American landscapes and ecosystems. From the waterlogged environs of the Beaver Capital of Canada to the wilderness cabin that controversial conservationist Grey Owl shared with pet beavers; from a bustling workshop where craftsmen make beaver-felt cowboy hats using century-old tools to a tidal marsh where an almost-lost link between beavers and salmon was recently found, Backhouse goes on a journey of discovery to find out what happened after we nearly wiped this essential animal off the map, and how we can learn to live with beavers now that theyre returning. Author Biography Frances Backhouse is the author of five books, including Children of the Klondike, winner of the 2010 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize. She is also a veteran freelance magazine writer and teaches creative nonfiction at the University of Victoria. She lives in Victoria, B.C. Review "A welcome addition to the ranks of accessible histories ... She expertly guides us through woods, ponds, auction halls, and laboratories as she tracks the Mighty Beaver." -- BC Studies"Backhouse avoids moral judgments; what she does offer is a wide assortment of reasons to value the beavers utterly unique lifestyle, while helping us understand how it has shaped -- and still shapes -- our own." -- High Country News"Backhouse is a skilled and personable narrator who guides us on a tour of the long, fond and sometimes lethal relationship we have entertained with this pudgy little rodent." -- Literary Review of Canada"Every true-blue cottager should study, if not memorize, Backhouses writings." -- Ottawa Magazine"Frances Backhouse is a writer in her prime, able to parse complex bits of data for the reader while also telling a good story... Once They Were Hats works as a cultural history of the beaver. It could almost be used as a master class on how to write long-form creative nonfiction." -- Times Colonist"Backhouses history of the web-footed mammals that have a historic tie to Canadian identity mazkes for unexpectedly delightful reading -- there is much to learn from the buck-toothed rodents of yore." -- National Post"Cod, salt, whales, and water have all inspired terrific exploration narratives. Now the humble, much-maligned beaver stakes a claim to equal accomplishment. Author Frances Backhouse ranges through history, rambles the contemporary backwoods, and brings us all face to face with ... wait for it ... the Mighty Beaver!" -- Ken McGoogan, author of Fatal Passage, Lady Franklins Revenge, and Celtic Lightning"Fascinating and smartly written." -- Globe and Mail"Frances Backhouse has written a wise and wily book, effortlessly blending history, natural history, science and sense, she tells us much that we didnt know about our national totem, and about the persistence of nature caught in the spotlight of civilization." -- Wayne Grady, author of The Natural History of the Great Lakes"With diligence and brio worthy of its subject, Backhouse restores the beaver to its iconic status as natures bucktoothed workaholic." -- Melissa Milgrom, author of Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy Long Description Beavers, those icons of industriousness, have been gnawing down trees, building dams, shaping the land, and creating critical habitat in North America for at least a million years. Once one of the continents most ubiquitous mammals, they ranged from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Rio Grande to the edge of the northern tundra. Wherever there was wood and water, there were beavers -- 60 million (or more) -- and wherever there were beavers, there were intricate natural communities that depended on their activities. Then the European fur traders arrived. In "Once They Were Hats," Frances Backhouse examines humanitys 15,000-year relationship with Castor canadensis, and the beavers even older relationship with North American landscapes and ecosystems. From the waterlogged environs of the Beaver Capital of Canada to the wilderness cabin that controversial conservationist Grey Owl shared with pet beavers; from a bustling workshop where craftsmen make beaver-felt cowboy hats using century-old tools to a tidal marsh where an almost-lost link between beavers and salmon was recently found, Backhouse goes on a journey of discovery to find out what happened after we nearly wiped this essential animal off the map, and how we can learn to live with beavers now that theyre returning. Review Quote "With diligence and brio worthy of its subject, Backhouse restores the beaver to its iconic status as natures bucktoothed workaholic." -- Melissa Milgrom, author of Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy "Cod, salt, whales, and water have all inspired terrific exploration narratives. Now the humble, much-maligned beaver stakes a claim to equal accomplishment. Author Frances Backhouse ranges through history, rambles the contemporary backwoods, and brings us all face to face with . . . wait for it . . . the Mighty Beaver!" -- Ken McGoogan, author of Fatal Passage , Lady Franklins Revenge , and Celtic Lightning "Frances Backhouse has written a wise and wily book, effortlessly blending history, natural history, science and sense, she tells us much that we didnt know about our national totem, and about the persistence of nature caught in the spotlight of civilization." -- Wayne Grady, author of The Natural History of the Great Lakes Description for Sales People A journey of discovery to find out what happened after humans nearly wiped this essential animal off the map. Also concludes how we can learn to live with beavers now that theyre returning. Beavers are returning not only to North America, but to the UK - much publicity has surrounded the colony in Devon. Details ISBN1770412077 Author Frances Backhouse Short Title ONCE THEY WERE HATS Language English ISBN-10 1770412077 ISBN-13 9781770412071 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2015 Imprint ECW Press,Canada Subtitle In Search of the Mighty Beaver Place of Publication Montreal Country of Publication Canada DEWEY 599.37 Publication Date 2015-10-13 UK Release Date 2015-10-13 Pages 262 Publisher ECW Press,Canada Alternative 9781770907553 Audience General Illustrations 10 Illustrations We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:95775091;

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