Authors I have used as References/Resources

Author J.R. Stoddard

BOOKS    Fiction Cougar Hunt Cougar Camp Cougar Canyon    WEBSITE

Jerry Stoddard has written 3 page-turner "fiction" books. I am familiar with this author's expertise on the subject of cougars, having consulted with him regarding cougar behavior through his connections with wildlife officials. In addition Jerry has kept me up on a few attacks in his area that didn't make the major news outlets. Ordinarily I avoid reading fiction, but I was surprised to find what an engaging and absorbing read 'Cougar Hunt' was--on my vacation one summer. As are his other books, Cougar Hunt is an easy read on a serious subject. Reviewers said: Very entertaining and educational. This book was great. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Lots of action and interesting facts about cougars too.

Author Kathy Etling

BOOK    Non-Fiction Cougar Attacks    Encounters of    the Worst Kind

This accomplished hunter has written multiple books about predators. From the 1880's through January 2001, she gives accounts regarding cougars one cannot find easily accessible anywhere else. As it was undoubtedly difficult to find much of the information hidden in archives, the research involved to produce this book must have been exhausting. The text itself is well written and very informative to any reader who is interested in the outdoors. She helps one conclude that it is no longer safe to hike or fish alone and/or unarmed.

Webmaster Tom Chester

WEBSITE    Reports | Analyses Mountain Lion Attacks    On People in the    U.S. and Canada

Avid hiker, botanist, and astrophysicist, Tom began a site in the early 1990's giving accounts of mountain lion attacks in North America. It was a shock to him to have the abstract go to the concrete so quickly when he learned a lady killed in California in 1994 was a friend of his sister. I found that Tom's site was informative to those concerned, but not alarmist. This inspired me to contact Tom and relate an incident in Colorado and then to make my own collection of sometimes more expanded attack accounts as a way of continuing to make contributions to Tom's collection of reports.

Authors: Dean Miller Jo Duerbrouck

BOOK    Non-Fiction Cat Attacks    True Stories and    Hard Lessons from    Cougar Country

Dean Miller and Jo Duerbrouck published their research into several attacks by cougars utilizing personal interviews. Their analysis of data is from an impressively informed perspective, and you will not find more insight into the suffering of human victims anywhere. Though these insights are both profound and poignant, the decision of at least one of the authors confounds me: Jo Duerbrouck has made it known that she has joined the popular crowd putting its efforts into protecting cougars, not humans. For this reason, and because I have not used any of her other works for my own research yet, I have not listed additional (solo?) book(s) here.

Author David Baron

BOOK    Non-Fiction    The Beast in the Garden    A Modern Parable    of Man and Nature    WEBSITE

David Baron is a former science correspondent for National Public Radio and a three-time recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science journalism award. The Seattle Times says this true account "Reads like a crime novel...each chapter ends on a cliff-hanging note." In less dramatic terms, the paperback book cover states the book is a true story of a predator's deadly return to suburban America. In following the history of and investigation into how a high school student in a small Colorado town became the first confirmed killing by a cougar in the state, the book chronicles how efforts to warn officials and citizens fell on deaf ears back in the early 1990's--as it still does today. Though critical in his book of agendized officials, Baron is among the throng promoting protections for cougars including designating lands for their safe habitat.

Author Don Zaidle

BOOK    Non-Fiction American Man-Killers    True Stories of a    Dangerous Wilderness    ARTICLE    February 2001 Killer Cougars    Written for    Outdoor Life Online

Don Zaidle is also Editor-in-Chief of Texas Fish and Game Magazine. Despite a career that has included stints as a private investigator, attack dog trainer, soldier, oil field roughneck, radio talk-show host, and electronics engineer, his passion has always remained with the outdoors. The book listed here is one of the first in current times to present a taste of reality regarding predator attacks. It goes into aspects of nature still not commonly shown by animal documentaries nor by Disneyesque movies that portray fearsome animals chiefly with anthropomorphic sympathy. Zaidle's humorous writing style takes the edge off some pretty gruesome stuff. He is a talented storyteller whose wit allows the reader to laugh rather than merely cringe. His personal anecdotes show that he hasn't just cracked a book; he's got on-the-job experience. He encourages readers to take off their rose-colored amusement-park glasses and see animals for what they are. They're cougars, bears, and deer, not Simba, Gentle Ben, and Bambi.

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