Review of BEAVERLAND

Who knew how important beavers were?

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’ve given almost no thought to beavers pretty much ever. I don’t recall ever seeing one in the wild, nor their dams or lodges, and certainly knew little of their role in the environment. Until now.

Twelve Books was kind enough to see that I added Beaverland: How one Weird Rodent Made America, by Leila Philip (on sale December 6th), to my recent TBR list and sent me an advanced copy. I’m so grateful they did. The book had caught my eye on Instagram, but it may have been a while until I actually read it. When I get advanced copies, however, I read them! And Beaverland was amazing.

Philip has produced a unique and enthralling book. Part ecology, part history, part ethnography, it’s hard to categorize exactly where this book should go, which is often what makes books all the more enjoyable. Beaverland takes the reader on the writer’s journey over several years of immersive research to understand the role of beavers in American ecology and culture.

Beavers have a long and complex history here in the Americas. Indigenous peoples understood the ecological value of the beaver for the health of the land and greater ecosystem. But when Europeans arrived, beaver trapping went into overdrive to collect and sell the luxurious and warm furs from these rodents. Where America was once home to an estimated 400 million beaver, over hunting decimated the populations. By 1900 few beavers were left. Recent conservation efforts have got numbers back to about 4-6 million. A far cry from the beaverland that America once was.

Philip tackles the history of the beaver from several angles. She immersed herself in the beaver trapping culture in New England to better understand the methods of beaver trapping, and the role trappers play in sustaining an historic culture. She also immersed herself in scientific culture, working closely with scientists in the White Mountains to better understand beaver behavior and their impact in natural ecosystems.

I learned a lot about the role of beavers in the ecosystem, and particularly about river systems of which beavers have a profound impact. It turns out that rivers aren’t really supposed to be a contained, predictable route through which water runs from head to mouth as efficiently as possible. Rather, due to beaver activity, rivers meander, move, and create dynamic landscapes. Beaver ponds slow the speed of water, filter and clean water, help prevent flooding (and reduce damage of flooding when it does happen), prevent erosion, and are protective against drought. With the decimation of the American beaver population, we’ve witnessed a radical change in our river systems and ecology in the last 400 years, of which we’re observing the impacts today.

Throughout Beaverland, Philip narrates her journey through her research, while also sharing what she has learned about the animal, ecology, and history, creating a vivid reading experience. This was one of those books where I wanted to do nothing but read it and I finished it in two days. A must read.

Published: December 2022

Publisher: Twelve Books

Format: Advanced readers copy

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If you think this sounds interesting, bookmark these other great reads:

• Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America by Megan Kate Nelson (2022) READ MY REVIEW

• Platypus Matters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals by Jack Ashby (2022) READ MY REVIEW

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