Horn Book

In another strong contribution to the Scientists in the Field series, Montgomery (Amazon Adventure, rev. 5/17) focuses on the much-maligned hyena. Although often portrayed as creatures of horror and “conniving, cowardly” scavengers, this volume demonstrates that hyenas are in fact quite brave, social, and smart; they are also a keystone species in which females dominate. Montgomery and Bishop accompany zoologist Kay Holekamp and her team of research assistants studying the behaviors of large clans of spotted hyenas in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, using careful and continuous observation to understand and document hyena interactions. Montgomery tells much of the story moment by moment, providing a deeply detailed account of life in the field, from data collection to living in tents to what happens when rain impedes research. Bishop’s outstanding photographs do much to elevate the reputation of hyenas, capturing pictures of adorable fuzzy babies and parents, as well as action shots of hyenas speeding into battle, their powerful bodies in motion. Interspersed sidebars provide inspiring profiles of the researchers and describe their paths to scientific careers. “Fast facts,” a bibliography, and an index are appended. -Danielle J. Ford, Horn Book