Let's be clear: Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers doesn't have a plot in the traditional novel sense. There's no villain to defeat or treasure to find. Instead, the "story" is the daily, yearly, and lifetime cycles of the animals living in the woods and fields of 19th-century America. Burroughs acts as our guide, leading us from one creature's home to another's hunting ground.

The Story

Each chapter focuses on a different animal. We spend time with the nervous, chattering red squirrel, always seeming on the edge of a panic attack. We watch the cunning fox outsmart hunters and provide for its family. We see the quiet, powerful work of the beaver, an engineer reshaping its entire environment. Burroughs observes their habits, their conflicts with each other, and their constant dance with the changing seasons. The narrative tension comes from life itself—finding enough food for winter, raising young safely, and navigating a world full of hidden dangers. It's a series of intimate portraits that, together, paint a full picture of a bustling, interconnected animal community.

Why You Should Read It

This book changed how I take a walk. Burroughs writes with such quiet curiosity and deep respect that he rubs off on you. He doesn't just list facts; he wonders about things. Why does a squirrel flick its tail that way? What is that expression on the raccoon's face? He treats animals as individuals, not just species. Reading his observations makes you want to sit still on a log and just watch, to learn the language of rustling leaves and bird calls. In our fast-paced, screen-filled world, this book is a gentle but powerful reminder to pay attention. It reconnects you with a sense of wonder that's easy to lose as an adult.

Final Verdict

This is the perfect book for anyone who needs a quiet moment of escape. It's for the hiker who wants to know more about what they're seeing, the backyard birdwatcher ready to graduate to other creatures, or simply someone who misses the feeling of being gently, thoughtfully taught about the world. If you enjoy the essays of Annie Dillard or the quiet observation of Henry Beston, you'll find a kindred spirit in John Burroughs. Keep it on your nightstand for a chapter before bed—it's better than any sleep app for calming a busy mind.