Talking with Bears

"Extraordinary . . . [this] series of true stories about the authentic nature of bears reveals them as the sensitive and intelligent beings they are." ―Carl Safina, New York Times–bestselling author of Becoming Wild and Beyond Words

Grizzly bears have long been feared as unpredictable and dangerous. But one man, Charlie Russell, was key in breaking down the myths and helping save these magnificent beings from extinction. A naturalist who spent over seventy years living harmoniously among bears in North America and Russia, Russell forged deep friendships with wild grizzlies, raised and reintroduced ten orphaned cubs in the Kamchatkan wilderness, and nannied the young of a wild female grizzly for seven years.


In Talking with Bears, filled with stunning photography, author G. A. Bradshaw chronicles her decade-long work with Russell, exploring his philosophy of Nature and remarkable insights and relationship with bears. By weaving together Russell's experiences and scientific understanding from neuroscience and quantum physics, Bradshaw reveals how we all can learn to thrive in intimate, respectful coexistence with Nature.


"Figuring out how to share the planet with other big and powerful mammals seems one of the crucial tests for human beings in the time ahead. Charlie Russell had some serious insights about how this might be possible." ―Bill McKibben, New York Times–bestselling author of Falter

"At a time of climate crisis and environmental emergency, when the flaws in our relationship with nature now clearly threaten our very existence, this book is a must-read." ―Kevin Van Tighem, author of Bears Without Fear

"[A] beautiful, unique account of two powerful minds . . . coming to grips with an equally powerful one embodied in the great brown and black bears of the Pacific Northwest and of the Russian Far East." ―Jeffrey Masson, author of The Secret World of Farm Animals and When Elephants Weep

"One can't help but come away from reading Talking With Bears feeling inspired and rejuvenated." ―John E. Marriott, wildlife photographer and coauthor of What Bears Teach Us