Mostly history, but also part memoir crossed with the science of bears, I enjoyed The Bears of Grand Teton: A Natural and Cultural History. Consolo-Murphy starts at what we knew of bears in the area and in the park, how they were initially treated, and how that evolves all the way to “celebrity bears” and what that means for the bears today.

It’s important to keep our history and learn from it, and I think that’s what this book helps us to do. Highly recommended for lovers of history and our national parks.

If you have ever visited the Tetons, you will find this book interesting. It tells of the different bears who live there and near Jackson, WY. Very well researched.

As someone who visits the Tetons every year to enjoy the park and observe the bears, I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I thought I knew a great deal about the history of the bears in the park, the wealth of stories and details in this book proved me wrong. The author, Sue, spent over 35 years working in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, and it’s clear how deeply she cares about bears and her dedication to helping them thrive in this sometimes harsh environment. The book covers a range of topics, including conflicts with visitors, the challenges bears face when they wander outside the park, and the dynamics of bear interactions with each other and other animals.

Sue details the history of bears within Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), exploring how they were initially treated, the efforts made to protect and help their population grow, and even how to manage "celebrity bears." If you’ve never had the chance to see a black or grizzly bear in GTNP or if you’re simply fascinated by national park or bear history, I highly recommend reading this book.