A Woman Among Wolves

My Journey Through Forty Years of Wolf Recovery

By: Diane K. Boyd, Douglas H. Chadwick - foreword by

Narrated by: Eva Wilhelm

Called the Jane Goodall of wolves, world-renowned wildlife biologist Diane Boyd has spent four decades studying and advocating for wolves in the wilds of Montana near Glacier National Park. When she started in the 1970s, she was the only female biologist in the United States researching and radio-collaring wild wolves. With her two dogs for company, she faced the rigors of the Montana winter in an isolated cabin.

Boyd fearlessly forded icy rivers, strapped on skis to navigate thick stands of lodgepole pine, and monitored packs from the air in a tiny bush plane so she could count wolves and see what they were feeding on. She faced down grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolverines-and the occasional trapper-as she stalked her quarry: a handful of wolves that were making their way south from Canada into Montana. She devised her own trapping methods and negotiated with locals as wolf populations grew from the first natural colonizer to more than 3,000 wolves in the West today.

Boyd takes the listener on a wild ride from the early days of wolf research to the present-day challenges of wolf management across the globe, highlighting her interactions with an apex predator that captured her heart and her undying admiration. Her writing resonates with her indomitable spirit as she explores the intricate balance of human and wolf coexistence.

©2024 Diane K. Boyd; Foreword copyright 2024 by Douglas H. Chadwick (P)2024 Tantor

An enjoyable listen

Diane Boyd is a pioneer among wolf researchers. Forced to overcome the normal obstacles a woman faces in a male dominated field, she had to continue to prove herself as a badass in a profession that requires such traits.

The story was compelling, thought provoking, informative and thorough. I learned about this misunderstood creature, more than I thought I already knew.

I wish it was Ms. Boyd that read her story, but after hearing her explanation on the Meateater podcast, I understand the issues with pulling that off. I felt the narrator was attempting to add too much flavor to a story that, on its own, “makes its own gravy.”

I’ve listened to numerous podcasts where Ms. Boyd was interviewed and read about her experiences, so I went in with a strong opinion on what she brings to the table. She did not disappoint in this enjoyable narrative.

Beautifully Stated

Diane Boyd’s life is everything I wish mine had been in so many ways. I listened with rapt interest as well as equal measures of envy for her experiences and sympathy for her pain when a lifetime of hard work was so callously disregarded with a few flicks of a pen. I get it and I may be late to the game but if there’s a worthwhile fight, it’s the one she’s undertaken.

Wonderful!

Diane’s life is truly remarkable. Wonderfully written and beautiful to read. A Woman Among Wolves is one of the best appeals to conservation that I have read.

I recognized every place that she went in Northern Montana. I too am a wolf fan.

The interaction between Diane and the wolves. I think they connected with her therefore visiting her cabin.

Very interesting!

I did not care for the narration
The story was quite interesting!
I recommend it!

Great sharing of a unique life, but annoying narration.

Loved hearing all the unique experiences had. Challenging and exciting. Wished there was a bit more details about the actual wolves, but the book covered a lot of ground! As for the narrator, I’m really sorry, but I had to speed it up to be able to get through her over pronunciation. Her style did not make me want to listen, but I was enjoying the book.

Wow!!

A must read for education on all things wolf!! The good, bad and ugly side of reality…

So good and important!

The story was interesting and compelling. It was heartbreaking but so important. Highly recommend it.

Fascinating and so important

Excellent book for people who have a desire to understand human behavior and nature. Humans suck. We need these predators and we need balance. Humans think they should control nature. I say poo on that.

Wish I'd Gotten the Print Version

The story is great. The author shares amazing experiences and helps the reader understand what's required to learn about and support wolf populations. But I really wish Diane Boyd had read the book herself -- even if she isn't a professional narrator. The performer almost sounded like AI -- genuine emotional connection with the material was absent.