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.

Satisfyingly detailed

Like most, I had no idea how important beavers are in the environment. Now I do. An object lesson in unforeseen consequences; I hope that beavers can help undo some of the destruction currently being caused by Zinke/Pruitt/Trump. Well-written, chatty at times, good narration. Hope Goldfarb writes more on ecology.

Educational and beautifully-written!

This book is an interesting and super accessible introduction and deep dive into the history, ecology, impact, and opportunity of beavers. Truly fascinating, impressively researched, and delightful to read. Recommended for environmentalists and laymen alike!

Educational and interesting!

Compelling narrative about the importance of beavers. My image of the historical landscape is completely different. It also left me hopeful.

Well-told, amazing and relevant story!

This story is engaging and interesting. I enjoy how the author weaves a tremendous amount of research, facts and experiences into to an informative, insightful and humorous story. I’ve been interested in beavers for most of my life. This book taught me so many new things! Gratitude to the author, the reader and everyone who made it possible for me to listen to it.

eager the industrious beaver

the narration of this book was excellent very easy to listen to the information is intellectual and logical. I've known for many years that most Progressive and liberals and animal lovers and woods people who live in the city and haven't got a clue what they're talking about and never been in the woods we're full of it. I used to hear people say things like before Columbus America was pristine and clean and look great. I've always thought that was illogical. I've known since I was a boy that pre-columbian peoples not only in America but other countries such as Australia would routinely burn forests and huge areas of land to make them better so that when they renewed themselves they were rid of all the junk that had collected. new plants and trees would grow. I knew because I've heard Rangers talk that in Yellowstone they had made a huge mistake in the beginning. herds of elk and deer and other animals we're overprotected, and they got so large that the bulk of the animals started dying of starvation cuz it wasn't enough feed for them. I never realized the beaver was such a keystone animal. and we are to put a lot more fevers to work fixing the water shortage problem it's coming to America and the rest of the world. We already pay more money for a few bottles of water then we do for a gallon of gasoline in some cases. the midwestern farmers are almost out of water they've drained are aquifers, it's going to be the biggest problem in the next hundred years. images of people desperate for water in Venezuela to drink and other uses were they were taking it from the sewer should cause people to wake up to the real water problem in the world. this is a must read book if you even think you are an ecologist.