Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

By: Ben Goldfarb

Narrated by: Will Damron

In Eager, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb reveals that our modern idea of what a healthy landscape looks like and how it functions is wrong, distorted by the fur trade that once trapped out millions of beavers from North America's lakes and rivers. The consequences of losing beavers were profound: streams eroded, wetlands dried up, and species from salmon to swans lost vital habitat. Today, a growing coalition of "Beaver Believers" - including scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens - recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and non-humans alike, than those without them. From the Nevada deserts to the Scottish highlands, Believers are now hard at work restoring these industrious rodents to their former haunts.

Eager is a powerful story about one of the world's most influential species, how North America was colonized, how our landscapes have changed over the centuries, and how beavers can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the ravages of climate change. Ultimately, it's about how we can learn to coexist, harmoniously and even beneficially, with our fellow travelers on this planet.

©2018 Ben Goldfarb (P)2018 Chelsea Green Publishing

Critic reviews

"Narrator Will Damron channels Ben Goldfarb's enthusiasm for beavers as saviors of the environment.... Damron's narration is warm, approachable, and energetic as Goldfarb moves from one fascinating fact to another with affection and wry humor. The next time you see a chewed stump, a warm and optimistic feeling will result." (AudioFile)

A fine natural history and great listen

This entertaining book is full of first-person interviews, humor, and portraits of some quirky human and beaver personalities. It is also a fine and well-researched natural history. The author approaches the story of beavers from the point of view of a smart and curious layperson who has done a ton of homework. Because the beaver is a keystone species, you'll also learn about fish, birds, climate change, water quality and distribution, grazing on public lands, paleontology, and a number of other important environmental topics along the way. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature and needs an inspiring story about natural resilience. Beavers are everywhere, so you will also probably learn about what's happening with beavers near you.

must read!

everyone should read this book. the answers lie within.
thank you Ben Goldfarb for your incredible research and devotion

Heartwarming!

I loved this book! So much important information I never knew. I hope to meet one of these people someday. God bless their work and God bless the beavers!

Entertaining, Very informative

I looked forward to reading another chapter every time I got in my car. only a little bit preachy but greatly informative. I can't really fathom so many folks innate wish to kill all of these Critters off. The few times I've seen them in the wild I've always been fascinated. now I'll be even more so.

I'm obsessed with beavers now

What a lovely read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well-researched with interesting historical facts, humorous anecdotes, and recent and relevant considerations and critiques of conservation work. I loved seeing evidence of local beavers when I was a child, but I never knew how important they are until I read this book! I highly recommend this book to everyone.