"Barilla is a fine stylist-his writing is thoughtful, colorful, and sometimes wittily self-deprecating-who helps us to better understand the unfamiliar natural world near our homes and to realize how many habitats coexist on Earth."-
Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *
"This is carefully researched, up-to-date, and above all readable work that explores the relationship between humans and other species by considering the pros and cons of 'inviting' (or at least tolerating) the presence of wild animals in urban (and even domestic) spaces. James Barilla interweaves personal narrative, philosophical considerations, urban planning concepts, and wildlife biology in a graceful, playful way reminiscent of Barry Lopez and Christopher Cokinos."-Scott Slovic, University of Idaho
-- Scott Slovic
"With the fresh eyes of a curious child, Barilla takes us on a wonderful journey to discover, appreciate, and coexist with the diversity of life-the rare, common, regaled, despised, and feared animals-in and around our homes."-John Marzluff, co-author of
The Gifts of the Crow, Dog Days, Raven Nights, and
In the Company of Crows and Ravens -- John Marzluff
"In today's world wildlife are burgeoning in unexpected places - our urban centers. While few people are equipped or willing to accept these wild neighbors Barilla encourages them in his own backyard and pursues them through encounters leading from Brooklyn to Florida and Delhi to Brazil. The resulting tales are entertaining and insightful."-David Foster, author of
Forests in Time, The Environmental Consequences of 1,000 Years of Change in New England -- David Foster
"James Barilla is a gifted story teller . . . a modern Gerald Durrell. . . . I have never been so enthralled with the notion of a zoo in our backyards."-Margaret Lowman, author of Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology and of It's a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops
-- Margaret Lowman
"Barilla's gripping and provocative dispatches confirm that in our time, human and wildlife coexistence-a formula for awe, danger, and controversy-is a complex process of trial and error." -Donna Seaman,
Publishers Weekly -- Barilla * Publishers Weekly *
"Barilla's ultimate message is both simple and powerful: To work toward coexistence means setting aside all notions of species-ism and cultivating an open, ecologically aware mind. Intelligent and quietly provocative."-
Kirkus * Kirkus *
"Ultimately, Barilla's gripping and provocative dispatches confirm that in our time, human and wildlife coexistence-a formula for awe, danger, and controversy-is a complex process of trial and error."-Donna Seaman,
Booklist -- Donna Seaman * Booklist *
"
My Backyard Jungle is a fascinating exploration for anyone interested in wildlife and the human's role in the great circle of life." -Jen Forbus,
Shelf Awareness -- Jen Forbus * Shelf Awareness *
Won Honorable Mention in the 2013 Great Midwest Book Festival for the General Non-Fiction category, given by JM Northern Media LLC -- Great Midwest Book Festival * JM Northern Media LLC *