My first book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, was published in 2018 (Chelsea Green). It was named one of the year’s best books by outlets including the Washington Post, and received the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.
It’s available at these and other retailers:
“A marvelously humor-laced page-turner about the science of semi-aquatic rodents… Goldfarb has built a masterpiece of a treatise on the natural world.” — The Washington Post
Eager reveals that our modern conception of a natural landscape is wrong, distorted by the trapping of millions of beavers from North America’s lakes and rivers. The consequences of losing beavers were profound: streams eroded, wetlands dried up, and species from salmon to swans lost vital habitat.
Today, a growing coalition of “Beaver Believers” — including scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens — recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier than those without them. From the Nevada deserts to the Scottish highlands, Believers are now restoring these industrious rodents to their former haunts.
Eager is the powerful story of how one of the world’s most influential species can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and climate change — and how we can learn to coexist with our fellow travelers on this planet.
“Written with clarity, intelligence, and humor, this engaging book will appeal to basically everyone.”―Forbes
“This book lodges itself among the ranks of the best sort of environmental journalism.”―the Boston Globe
“Engrossing and elegantly written…. Within its wide scope, Eager includes nuggets sure to make you the most fascinating conversationalist at your next party.”―Scientific American
"[Goldfarb] shares his findings in lucid and entertaining prose….Filled with hard facts and fascinating people (and animals), [Eager] is an authoritative, vigorous call for understanding and action."―Kirkus, Starred Review
