Bears: A Brief History

A fascinating cultural history of the bear, opening a new perspective on a well-known animal believed to be famous – lovingly designed, with many historical illustrations. Bears live in caves, while humans live in houses that they sometimes set up as caves – that’s really where the similarities end. Although humans are closely related to apes, humans develop a stronger sympathy for bears. Although the bear has won the hearts of people, it is now found in small numbers in many parts of the world. Human-bear contact therefore mostly occurs in zoos. How does that fit in? What does the idea people have about bears have to do with the actual animal? Bernd Bruner’s entertaining excursion through history and literature brings to light numerous interesting examples of the complex interaction between humans and bears. For example, the author talks about centuries of unsuccessful attempts to tame the bear, or explains how this predator became part of our inventory of myths and dreams. A bibliophile book for everyone who is fascinated by bears and has a weakness for unusual, sometimes bizarre stories.