Book Review No. 17 – “Night Of The Grizzlies” by Jack Olsen

 It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to post a book review, but I have been continuously reading various books (some historical, some fiction, etc.) and have a stack of notes that will eventually give life to respective reviews.

Earlier this year (during the summer), I retreated to a remote, isolated location, far removed from any semblance of “civilization.”  Wild game and fish were the order(s) of the day and at “night” I found comfort in books. 

The subject of this particular review involves “Night Of The Grizzlies,” on-point reading material given where I was at the time and given to me by a local…a cantankerous curmudgeon who I actually hit it off with quite well, mere moments after we had met.  Aside from this fella having one of the largest antique Winchester collections I have ever seen, he also had one of the largest private libraries I’ve seen inclusive of what has to be record-setting volumes of Louis L’amour works.  In any event, he gave me a haggard old edition of an already old book, to wit, this book.

‘Night Of the Grizzlies” has a subject matter which is fairly easy to guess…grizzlies.  For those who are unaware, for the most part, there is biologically no difference between a brown bear and a grizzly; the only difference is geographical location – once you get to, generally, within 100 miles of the coast, a “grizzly” starts being referred to as a brown bear.  Not that the book goes into this manner of detail, I only offer up such a tidbit of info for the reader’s general interest.

This story takes place in Glacier National Park in Montana, particularly in 1967.  Mr. Olsen does a remarkable job, effortlessly, in setting up the history of the park and man’s interaction with grizzlies and, to an extent, the operation of our National Parks and governmental bureaucracy.  Up until a  tragic night when two separate young ladies were mauled to death, these bears were treated as a nuisance of sorts, but an “entertaining” one…one wherein the bears were lured with food-scraps/etc. into close proximity to park-goers.  One can see that, eventually, man-animal’s paths would cross with results that would be anything but pleasant.  And so it happens…

I found the story absolutely chilling.  There are scenes described that, while never gory, are both disturbing and heart-breaking…particularly wherein one young lady had been found alive, brought back to an inn/backcountry “resort” (Granite Park) and a pastor which happened to be there started praying with this dying young lady.  The manner and detail with which this scene is illustrated by Mr. Olsen is, simply, incredible.  You are right there with them all.

Long story short, this is about a grizzly attack.  But the story is much, much more.  It is not only a man vs. nature story, one which never takes any particular “side,” but it is also one wherein the power of nature and fragility of mankind are made exceptionally clear…and vice-versa…the ease with which mankind can destroy those who are behaving merely as God intended…bears being bears and man’s “shock” (which I cannot understand) when a bear in fact acts like a bear.  If you are at all an outdoor, hunting, camping, wildlife enthusiast, this book is right up your alley.  Also, if you are just partial to non-fiction stories of this nature, you will not be disappointed.

I’m told there was a movie made of this book but I’ve never seen it.  Frankly, I have no interest in seeing it.  This book was an absolute page-turner and I found myself absolutely unable to put it down.  Simply as a result of being totally and completely dog-tired, I ended up reading this in two sittings.  Otherwise, I would have completed it in one.

If you can track down an old copy, definitely pick this up.  For what it’s worth, the cranky old fella who gave me this book asked for it back.  It’s that good.

Highly recommended.

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