Wild Among Us: True Adventures of a Female Wildlife Photographer Who Stalks Bears, Wolves, Mountain Lions, Wild Horses and Other Elusive Wildlife

June 2013 book of the month on Pacific Book Review: Reviewed by: Suzanne Gattis, Pacific Book Review, Completed: May 24, 2013: Few of us probably have jobs exciting enough for people to want to hear about them, let alone read an entire book about. Pat Toth-Smith, on the other hand, not only has an exciting job but one filled with the beauty and wonder of nature. The book, Wild Among Us, composed of breath-taking images and reminisced tales, takes the reader on an adventure into the life of a female wildlife photographer. Divided up into sections by animal, Toth-Smith introduces us to many of nature's majestic creatures, ones that sadly many of us will never see. Her vivid descriptions of their mannerisms and playful spirits make them seem all the more real, almost like friends. Through her writing, you can tell that, while seeing them up close, she is in awe of these animals, and that she wants to share that wonder with her readers. I couldn't wait to turn the page to see the pictures of the animals she was describing. Her close encounters and run-ins with some of the animals gently remind us of the delicate balance of nature and people and of the danger that these encounters can present. The photography in the book is truly stunning and captivates the reader. To see images like that frozen in time, the perfect shots, and then to hear the stories about them, really is impactful on the reader. While reading the book, I was part amused, part proud, by the author's candid talk about her fears, everything from running into wild animals to meeting strangers. It really says a lot about her determination and love of her job that she would continue to face those fears on a daily basis. It's a motivation for us all that we can face our fears to do what we love. The book was presented in a very candid, down-to-earth manner that made the author seem very approachable, like someone you could sit around a campfire with and swap stories. Overall, I would recommend this book to nature lovers and non-nature lovers alike.