BEAVERLAND How One Weird Rodent Made America

Christine Lakin's enthusiasm and authenticity lure the listener into the world of beavers. Author Leila Philip casts a wide net as she delves into their cultural significance for some North American tribes, stresses how vitally important beaver dams are to clean water even today, and recounts how John Jacob Astor became rich from trading beaver skins. Lakin clearly conveys the respect and empathy that Philip has for trappers, fur traders, and environmentalists alike, despite their being on different sides of the political spectrum. Lakin captures the lighter moments, too. She sounds as weirdly fascinated as we are by the "beaver lady" who let more than a dozen beavers live in her home even though they sometimes chewed the legs off her furniture. A.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2022]