Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law

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  • Create Date:2021-08-07 03:18:57
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Mary Roach
  • ISBN:B08XP24KR8
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Summary

What’s to be done about a jaywalking moose? A grizzly bear caught breaking and entering? A murderous tree? As New York Times best-selling author Mary Roach discovers, the answers are best found not in jurisprudence but in science: the curious science of human-wildlife conflict, a discipline at the crossroads of human behavior and wildlife biology。


Roach tags along with animal attack forensics investigators, human-elephant conflict specialists, bear managers, and “danger tree” faller-blasters。 She travels from leopard-terrorized hamlets in the Indian Himalaya to St。 Peter’s Square in the early hours before the Pope arrives for Easter Mass, when vandal gulls swoop in to destroy the elaborate floral display。 Along the way, Roach reveals as much about humanity as about nature’s lawbreakers。 Combining little-known forensic science and conservation genetics with a motley cast of laser scarecrows, langur impersonators, and mugging macaques, Fuzz offers hope for compassionate coexistence in our ever-expanding human habitat。

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Reviews

Elysa

Like Mary Roach's other books, I adored the concept but felt the book was okay。 The summary makes it seem like it's going to be significantly weirder, but it's really about how wildlife experts deal with animals when they mix with humans。 The stories are unsurprising (some attacks, food stealing, etc。), but if you're interested in wildlife interactions, it will be interesting。 I ended up hopping around the book because some of the details didn't grab me。 If you like Mary Roach's work, you'll enj Like Mary Roach's other books, I adored the concept but felt the book was okay。 The summary makes it seem like it's going to be significantly weirder, but it's really about how wildlife experts deal with animals when they mix with humans。 The stories are unsurprising (some attacks, food stealing, etc。), but if you're interested in wildlife interactions, it will be interesting。 I ended up hopping around the book because some of the details didn't grab me。 If you like Mary Roach's work, you'll enjoy this book。Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing and eARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Coloradobetta

I just love Mary Roach!

Kerri

For years people have recommended Mary Roach to me, I'm sorry I waited until now to pick up her books。 Fuzz compiles tales of wildlife and nature meeting humans with disastrous consequences。 Subtitled: "when nature breaks the law," I would argue it's more about when nature and humans collide。 Because after all, who makes the law? We do。 Bears don't know they are invading our territory。 Trees don't intend to fall on a car。 Birds are eating crops that look like food to them。 BUT in the voice of Ma For years people have recommended Mary Roach to me, I'm sorry I waited until now to pick up her books。 Fuzz compiles tales of wildlife and nature meeting humans with disastrous consequences。 Subtitled: "when nature breaks the law," I would argue it's more about when nature and humans collide。 Because after all, who makes the law? We do。 Bears don't know they are invading our territory。 Trees don't intend to fall on a car。 Birds are eating crops that look like food to them。 BUT in the voice of Mary Roach, she's able to present these stories with stunning detail and background information that will have you rethinking what you initially expect with each tale。 I highly recommend FUZZ and I look forward to going back and reading Roach's other works。 。。。more

Marna

I have consistently enjoyed the books that Mary Roach writes。 We seem to have similar interests (about anything), and she has so much fun doing first hand (as much as possible) research。 Were I not several years older than she, I would wish to be her when I grow up。 Then again, there may still be time。。。

Shawn

I love Mary Roach's writing (I have read all her books) and when I saw this book was available I got super excited。 Reading the description, I was ready to laugh out loud while learning science。 This wasn't what I really got however。 The book was good。 There were interesting stories of travel to places where humans and animals interact。 There was learning about how those interactions can go wrong and what some people are doing to prevent them from doing so。 It was a solid book with some humor。 I I love Mary Roach's writing (I have read all her books) and when I saw this book was available I got super excited。 Reading the description, I was ready to laugh out loud while learning science。 This wasn't what I really got however。 The book was good。 There were interesting stories of travel to places where humans and animals interact。 There was learning about how those interactions can go wrong and what some people are doing to prevent them from doing so。 It was a solid book with some humor。 It just didn't blow me away like he other books have。 My wife put it like this, "Whenever you start a Mary Roach book, it prepare for 'I have to read you this。。。' over and over。 That didn't harken this time。" The fact is that I did tell her a couple anecdotes here and there, but I never was so enthralled that I would insist she stop what she was doing and listen。 Mary did a good job bringing the important issue of human-animal interactions to life and helping people understand how they can be a detriment。 What I felt like was missing was the depth of science and the triggers to get people to desire to explore past her pages that have so often characterized her writing。 Overall, a solid book, but this far the least fascinating of her ouvere。 Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange of an honest review。 #maryroach #fuzz #netgalley 。。。more

Eva

Mary Roach’s newest book is about “problem wildlife” and the unpredictable and frequently dangerous interactions between nature and civilization。 Her work is as interesting, funny, and delightfully weird as ever, and impeccably researched, with Roach interviewing experts in obscure fields, going along on predawn mountain lion tracking missions, and baiting wild macaques into stealing food just to see what it's like to be robbed by a monkey。 Also included: an exploration of deer vs vehicles (incl Mary Roach’s newest book is about “problem wildlife” and the unpredictable and frequently dangerous interactions between nature and civilization。 Her work is as interesting, funny, and delightfully weird as ever, and impeccably researched, with Roach interviewing experts in obscure fields, going along on predawn mountain lion tracking missions, and baiting wild macaques into stealing food just to see what it's like to be robbed by a monkey。 Also included: an exploration of deer vs vehicles (including the headlight phenomenon), the next generation of bird deterrents (less scarecrows, more lasers), and death by elephant (more common than you’d think。) As with everything else by Mary Roach, this book is highly recommended。 I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Megan

Roach is known for her irreverent, witty, and accessible approach to science and Fuzz is no exception。 Her latest endeavor takes you into the world of flora and fauna behaving badly, starting with bears dumpster diving and housebreaking in Aspen and leading you across the world to pickpocketing monkeys in India and invasive alien species in New Zealand。 Roach explores the issues posed by various creatures, how they have been dealt with in the past, present, and possible future solutions。 Fuzz is Roach is known for her irreverent, witty, and accessible approach to science and Fuzz is no exception。 Her latest endeavor takes you into the world of flora and fauna behaving badly, starting with bears dumpster diving and housebreaking in Aspen and leading you across the world to pickpocketing monkeys in India and invasive alien species in New Zealand。 Roach explores the issues posed by various creatures, how they have been dealt with in the past, present, and possible future solutions。 Fuzz is a simultaneously hilarious and sobering look at the difficult choices wildlife organizations must make in order to humanely control out-of-control populations, appease those suffering the nuisance, as well as defenders of animal rights。 。。。more

Stephanie

I am such a fan of Mary Roach。 I discovered her and her special brand of quirky science nonfiction a few years ago when I picked up her book "Stiff: The Curious Life of Cadavers。" Her bubbling curiosity, thorough research, and accessible writing style make unconventional subjects so fascinating!"Fuzz" continues the trend。"Fuzz" examines human/animal conflict and the various ways different countries and cultures are negotiating space between the two groups。 Lots to think about - our relationship I am such a fan of Mary Roach。 I discovered her and her special brand of quirky science nonfiction a few years ago when I picked up her book "Stiff: The Curious Life of Cadavers。" Her bubbling curiosity, thorough research, and accessible writing style make unconventional subjects so fascinating!"Fuzz" continues the trend。"Fuzz" examines human/animal conflict and the various ways different countries and cultures are negotiating space between the two groups。 Lots to think about - our relationship to animals and encroachment on their habitats, and how we can live harmoniously? A big question mark for sure。 。。。more

Jeannine

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law explores from predators to pests to trees crashing down the world of nature rudely intersecting human "civilization" with both dire and sometimes hilarious consequences。 Roach relates stories of intentional predators such as leopards and tigers as well as the not so intentional dangers of hungry bears, poisonous beans, pesky monkeys, the ever popular rat, the hazardous combination of birds and airports, and the Danger Tree, and explores how people seek to "solve" Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law explores from predators to pests to trees crashing down the world of nature rudely intersecting human "civilization" with both dire and sometimes hilarious consequences。 Roach relates stories of intentional predators such as leopards and tigers as well as the not so intentional dangers of hungry bears, poisonous beans, pesky monkeys, the ever popular rat, the hazardous combination of birds and airports, and the Danger Tree, and explores how people seek to "solve" the problem。 This is the first time I have read one of Roach's books, so I cannot compare it to one of her other's, but it was as entertaining as her reputation favors her。 The book flows like one long narrative。 I had to go back to see how it was organized (the disadvantage of the ebook)。 While filling the book with reams of facts and footnotes, Roach uses all the most interesting and entertaining stories and incidents to make learning as painless as did your favorite teacher。 Anyone the least bit interested in animals or nature will enjoy (most of) this immensely。 (There were a few icky bits! But you were expecting that, right?) Highly recommended。 。。。more

Barbara Adde

Finally! Another Mary Roach book。 I cannot wait。

Suzanne LaPierre

Lions and tigers and - caterpillars? Oh my! I still have a few chapters left in this ARC I received from the publisher, but I have enjoyed it so much I intend to read some of the author's previous books once I finish。 It's a humorous yet informative look at how mankind tries to control nature when flora and fauna refuse to abide by our laws- whether it's rampaging elephants trampling civilians, flocks of hungry blackbirds eating farmed sunflower seeds, or killer trees falling on tourists。 Roach Lions and tigers and - caterpillars? Oh my! I still have a few chapters left in this ARC I received from the publisher, but I have enjoyed it so much I intend to read some of the author's previous books once I finish。 It's a humorous yet informative look at how mankind tries to control nature when flora and fauna refuse to abide by our laws- whether it's rampaging elephants trampling civilians, flocks of hungry blackbirds eating farmed sunflower seeds, or killer trees falling on tourists。 Roach follows the professionals in wildlife control to learn how to keep monkeys on birth control and other curious and hilarious examples of our often futile attempts to control the natural world。 。。。more

Sydne

As always, a fun, informational read from Roach。 about "pests" and nuisance animals and the abysmally ineffective ways humans try to eliminate them As always, a fun, informational read from Roach。 about "pests" and nuisance animals and the abysmally ineffective ways humans try to eliminate them 。。。more

Lisa

3。5 rounded up I can walk about ten minutes from my home to a subway station, and yet I am surrounded by wildlife。 Deer, tree squirrels, chipmunks, birds, foxes, rabbits, mice, rats, and even an occasional coyote or black bear make their homes nearby。 These animals eat many of the vegetables and flowers we grow; however, we don’t have to depend on what we grow in order to eat。 It must be heartbreaking for the Indian villagers whose hard-won crops are ruined by an elephant herd and for all the fa 3。5 rounded up I can walk about ten minutes from my home to a subway station, and yet I am surrounded by wildlife。 Deer, tree squirrels, chipmunks, birds, foxes, rabbits, mice, rats, and even an occasional coyote or black bear make their homes nearby。 These animals eat many of the vegetables and flowers we grow; however, we don’t have to depend on what we grow in order to eat。 It must be heartbreaking for the Indian villagers whose hard-won crops are ruined by an elephant herd and for all the farmers who must cope with encroaching wildlife。 Mary Roach explores the conflict between humans and wildlife including bears, elephants, leopards, monkeys, cougars, Douglas Firs and falling trees, beans, plants and biological terrorism, birds, deer, and turkey vultures。 She describes what she learned about techniques to scare them away, effigies, euthanasia, relocation, humane traps and gene modification。 The subject is thought-provoking, but Roach’s tone doesn’t come across as judgmental or overly moralizing。 Some readers may find some of the writing too much for them; there are definitely triggers here。 Sometimes it’s a little gritty; sometimes Roach is humorous and self-deprecating。 It took me several weeks to read Fuzz as it is a leisurely-paced book with distinct chapters and good stopping points。 This is the first Mary Roach book that I’ve read, and I recommend it for readers who like science, society and history nonfiction narratives。 You’ll definitely learn something and may reconsider how you interact with nature。 Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC。 。。。more

Cathy

*ARCAbsolutely a must read for anyone who has ever been on a hike and been a bit afraid of what is rustling in the brush。 A refreshing and encompassing look at how we as a species deal with other animals we deem pests or dangers。

Katra

If you've ever read a Mary Roach book, you probably have high expectations going into this book。 You won't be disappointed。 Once again, she delivers an in-depth, scientific analysis of something you probably haven't thought a great deal about and provides continual amusement along with the learning。 Whether it's a history of war between albatross and fighter jets, the best location to explode a killer tree, or the bad rap of blackbirds, Roach entertains and educates with equal skill。 Here's anot If you've ever read a Mary Roach book, you probably have high expectations going into this book。 You won't be disappointed。 Once again, she delivers an in-depth, scientific analysis of something you probably haven't thought a great deal about and provides continual amusement along with the learning。 Whether it's a history of war between albatross and fighter jets, the best location to explode a killer tree, or the bad rap of blackbirds, Roach entertains and educates with equal skill。 Here's another great addition to your Mary Roach collection! 。。。more

Alicia

An entertaining Roach-like investigation of something that made her curious and how she fell down the rabbit hole and let all of us go with her。 What does happen when animals go awry and their interactions with humans make everyone scared, uncomfortable, and have created an entire industry designed to figure it out? Well Roach will let us in on the secrets-- animals will be animals and humans will be humans-- but humans can try to do a little bit better。 I'm always here for one of her books beca An entertaining Roach-like investigation of something that made her curious and how she fell down the rabbit hole and let all of us go with her。 What does happen when animals go awry and their interactions with humans make everyone scared, uncomfortable, and have created an entire industry designed to figure it out? Well Roach will let us in on the secrets-- animals will be animals and humans will be humans-- but humans can try to do a little bit better。 I'm always here for one of her books because it includes both humor and science and a deep curiosity for understanding the world whether it's bears and forensic evidence or elephants or albatross。 。。。more

Meg C

3。5 stars• How do we co-exist with animals? • No one does weird science, wonderful characters, and witty humor like Mary• But this one did get depressing at the times due to subject matter。 Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC。

Lee-ann

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an egalley for review。 Fuzz is Mary Roach’s look at nature when forced to live by humanity’s rules and we should all know by now, that nature lives by it’s own rules。 Humans are the experiment that went wrong and we should just give it back to the insects, birds, animals, and trees。 My favorite chapters are about the birds who are unflappable against all the scare tactics the farmers and military try against them and the one farmer who just decides to live wi Thank you to NetGalley for providing an egalley for review。 Fuzz is Mary Roach’s look at nature when forced to live by humanity’s rules and we should all know by now, that nature lives by it’s own rules。 Humans are the experiment that went wrong and we should just give it back to the insects, birds, animals, and trees。 My favorite chapters are about the birds who are unflappable against all the scare tactics the farmers and military try against them and the one farmer who just decides to live with it。 There needs to be more like him。。。。and Mary Roach needs to keep writing!! 。。。more

Martin

Thanks to Norton for the ARC

Pam

I received this book as a printed ARC from Norton & Company。Mary Roach is an engaging writer, and at first it was fun to read about the animals。 About half way through the book, I got tired of hearing how the animals broke human laws and had to be killed。 The book became more and more difficult to read for entertainment, even though the author tried to make the topic humorous。 I was happy to read about the farmer who realized that the resident mice were not eating a huge amount of his cattle fee I received this book as a printed ARC from Norton & Company。Mary Roach is an engaging writer, and at first it was fun to read about the animals。 About half way through the book, I got tired of hearing how the animals broke human laws and had to be killed。 The book became more and more difficult to read for entertainment, even though the author tried to make the topic humorous。 I was happy to read about the farmer who realized that the resident mice were not eating a huge amount of his cattle feed and decided to have a few cats to keep the resident population under control。 Likewise the practice of exclusion that the author used in regard to some of the wildlife in the vicinity of her house and yeard。 。。。more

Kim McGee

There are chapters that will have you giggling like a little kid, chapters that will keep you off hiking trails and mountain roads and there are chapters that will make you think twice about that exotic vacation that involves monkeys, elephants or vomiting seagulls。 One thing is certain - you will be wildly entertained and learn much。 Science has never been this much fun! Mary Roach brings together rogue animals, naive people and a plethora of experts to help explain (and in many cases exonerate There are chapters that will have you giggling like a little kid, chapters that will keep you off hiking trails and mountain roads and there are chapters that will make you think twice about that exotic vacation that involves monkeys, elephants or vomiting seagulls。 One thing is certain - you will be wildly entertained and learn much。 Science has never been this much fun! Mary Roach brings together rogue animals, naive people and a plethora of experts to help explain (and in many cases exonerate) nature from the mishaps we blame on them。 Keep your eyes up watching for killer pines, down at the trail to see what might be thinking of you as a snack and in the skies for crazy birds。 Mary Roach's books are always an interesting and delightful foray into stuff we don't even know to be concerned with。 My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy。 。。。more

Lara

Mary Roach never fails to entertain。 She takes topics that most know a little something about and plunges deep into the science and reasoning behind some of our most common "why?" questions。 In Fuzz, she wages war with the animals and humans that continuously butt heads over territory, food, and resources。 How do you punish an animal for breaking the law when the law is made by humans who don't follow the laws of nature? From moose to monkeys, rats and stouts, this book makes you realize your pl Mary Roach never fails to entertain。 She takes topics that most know a little something about and plunges deep into the science and reasoning behind some of our most common "why?" questions。 In Fuzz, she wages war with the animals and humans that continuously butt heads over territory, food, and resources。 How do you punish an animal for breaking the law when the law is made by humans who don't follow the laws of nature? From moose to monkeys, rats and stouts, this book makes you realize your place in the world and just how much we can (and can't) influence the world around us! Highly recommend for a good laugh and a thoughtful read! #Fuzz #NetGalley 。。。more

Kristen Chew

An entertaining and occasionally thought-provoking look at what happens when people and wildlife cross paths, and try to live in the same spaces。

Lisa Burris

By now, we all know that Roach has a genius for making complex scientific topics understandable and relatable to the layperson。 This book is no exception。 Although the hook of Fuzz is "animals that break the law," the deeper topic is how humans and animals, from "nuisance" bears to "rogue" elephants to ordinary field mice, exist peacefully。 By now, we all know that Roach has a genius for making complex scientific topics understandable and relatable to the layperson。 This book is no exception。 Although the hook of Fuzz is "animals that break the law," the deeper topic is how humans and animals, from "nuisance" bears to "rogue" elephants to ordinary field mice, exist peacefully。 。。。more

Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance

Science writer Mary Roach travels around the world investigating the animals and plants in nature that cause problems for mankind。 She looks at difficulties for humans presented by bears, elephants, leopards, monkeys, cougars, birds, rats, mice, and even poisonous plants and tall trees。My takeaway from this book is that, over and over, humans find a creature or plant annoying or dangerous or deadly to them, and they take measures to rid the world of the creature or plant, and they never succeed, Science writer Mary Roach travels around the world investigating the animals and plants in nature that cause problems for mankind。 She looks at difficulties for humans presented by bears, elephants, leopards, monkeys, cougars, birds, rats, mice, and even poisonous plants and tall trees。My takeaway from this book is that, over and over, humans find a creature or plant annoying or dangerous or deadly to them, and they take measures to rid the world of the creature or plant, and they never succeed, and they generally make things much, much worse。 I was also surprised to see the number of people employed as animal welfare officers who are charged with killing animals。I think I was taken aback to not see roaches or mosquitoes addressed here。 The book is filled with Mary Roach's hilarious take on science and nature; it's a fun book。 。。。more

Sarah

I'd like to thank Netgalley at the publisher for an ARC of this book。 I received it in exchange for an honest review。 I've read all of Mary Roach's books, and I've gotten relatively the same enjoyment out of each one。 Mary Roach has a knack for finding topics that could be quite dry and writing about them in an engaging manner。 I know when I pick up one of her books, I am guaranteed an interesting read and to learn something new。 On the same token, they are never anything that I am particularly I'd like to thank Netgalley at the publisher for an ARC of this book。 I received it in exchange for an honest review。 I've read all of Mary Roach's books, and I've gotten relatively the same enjoyment out of each one。 Mary Roach has a knack for finding topics that could be quite dry and writing about them in an engaging manner。 I know when I pick up one of her books, I am guaranteed an interesting read and to learn something new。 On the same token, they are never anything that I am particularly engrossed in。 This book has moments (the section about deer and cars as well as birds and how to keep them from eating crops) that move particularly slowly and brought down my interest in the book overall。 I think some tighter editing in these sections could have benefit their pacing。 I did enjoy the beginning sections with the bears, and I plan to use some sections in the classroom when discussing forest safety。 。。。more

C。E。

I got this as an ARC from a book event earlier this month。 I love Mary Roach's books。 This one was great, if not up to her usual standard of "amazing", but the segues between chapters were very well done。 I got this as an ARC from a book event earlier this month。 I love Mary Roach's books。 This one was great, if not up to her usual standard of "amazing", but the segues between chapters were very well done。 。。。more

Joelle Egan

Mary Roach returns once again, bringing her sense of irony to a potentially dry subject in Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law。 Inspired by humorous anecdotes and old legal records, the author uncovered many stories of animals being ridiculously anthropomorphized worldwide。 Roach is well known for her series of catchy single-word titles (Stiff, Gulp and Bonk), that expose our misconceptions and human hubris。 This time, she wanders the globe to explore consequences that occur when humans and animals Mary Roach returns once again, bringing her sense of irony to a potentially dry subject in Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law。 Inspired by humorous anecdotes and old legal records, the author uncovered many stories of animals being ridiculously anthropomorphized worldwide。 Roach is well known for her series of catchy single-word titles (Stiff, Gulp and Bonk), that expose our misconceptions and human hubris。 This time, she wanders the globe to explore consequences that occur when humans and animals collide。 Fuzz is a report of her discovery of many unfortunate remnants of some outdated procedures and ill-conceived attitudes。 Roach has a clear message here: Practice tolerance and accommodation, rather than defaulting to attempts at elimination and extinction for our non-human counterparts on Earth。 She goes on to describe the many mishaps and failures of “pest” control that have been tried, with both comic and tragic results。 Roach seeks to remind us that we humans are mere tenants of this planet along with our coinhabitors, with no greater claim to territory or possession than any other creature。 A warning must be given to those who avoid reading about animal cruelty or abuse。 The book sometimes gets mired in the nitty-gritty of chemicals and methodology, and too descriptive of the gory details。 Despite some uneven parts, Fuzz tackles a controversial topic in a light-hearted but insightful way。 Mary Roach shadows those tasked with managing the animal encounters and presents them with candor and respect。 With her gentle humor she can expose our own folly in pursuing a pointless quest for dominance that is unachievable and undeserved。Thanks to the author, WW Norton, and Edelweiss for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review。 。。。more

Danielle

As she does in her other books Mary Roach digs into an interesting facet of the world and explores it through an interesting and somewhat humorous lens。 This time she looking into human/animal interactions and what happens when their habitats collide。 She explores the topic from areas all over the world from bear encounters in the United States to elephants in Africa and leopards in India。 It's a subject I never thought much about, but as usual she provides a very readable and entertaining look As she does in her other books Mary Roach digs into an interesting facet of the world and explores it through an interesting and somewhat humorous lens。 This time she looking into human/animal interactions and what happens when their habitats collide。 She explores the topic from areas all over the world from bear encounters in the United States to elephants in Africa and leopards in India。 It's a subject I never thought much about, but as usual she provides a very readable and entertaining look into a world most of us know little about。 。。。more

Natalie

3。7 really