Events

“The Tiger is the sort of book I very much like and rarely find. . . . A book not only for adventure buffs, but for all of us interested in wildlife habitat preservation.”—Annie Proulx “This book must be read by everybody who is interested in the conservation of wildlife.”—Temple Grandin, Animals Make Us Human The Tiger is a genuine page-turner, pitting men against a dangerous predator in a forbidding wintry landscape. But it’s also so much more.  John Valliant provides a vivid and haunting portrait of a remote region, as well as a fascinating study of predators and prey. He recounts the arrival of Russian settlers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. We meet the native tribes who for centuries have worshiped and lived alongside tigers—even sharing their kills with them—and the impoverished Russians of today whose poaching has upset this natural balance. We learn surprising theories of how humans and tigers may have evolved to coexist, how we may have developed as scavengers rather than hunters, and how our prehistoric ancestors may have fit seamlessly into their ecosystems. Above all, we learn about these incredible tigers and the threats they face from loggers and poachers.  John Vaillant weaves all of this together with a remarkable touch, conjuring a world that is both terrifying and magical.  No wonder Brad Pitt’s company optioned The Tiger. John Valliant’s first book, The Golden Spruce, was wildly popular among Village Books’ customers.  He has written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, and Men's Journal, among others.  He lives in Vancouver, with his wife and children.