This book provides remarkable and significant insight into a changing element of nature — the history and sustainability of salmon — through a highly compelling narrative about one individual. The fact that he is so interesting, and is written about by someone who has known him throughout their lives — makes this an even more compelling read. It’s a book that, once started, is hard to put down, and one that stays with you for a long time after having read it.

Stronghold was not at all what I expected. It was a treat to read, but focused as much on the life of the protagonist working to educate the world about the precious salmon and on the gentle, fragile ecosystem in which so many of our precious resources are dwindling. This book is beautifully written and a treat to read, especially as a librarian in the Pacific Northwest. It is a great addition to my school library.

In the tradition of Mountains Beyond Mountains and The Orchid Thief, Stronghold is Tucker Malarkey’s gripping chronicle of an unlikely visionary and his crusade to protect the world’s last bastion for wild salmon. From a young age, Guido Rahr was a misfit among his family and classmates, preferring to spend his time in the natural world. An obsessive fly-fisherman, Rahr noticed when the salmon runs of the Pacific Northwest began to decline—and was one of the few who understood why. As dams, industry, and climate change degraded the homes of these magnificent fish, Rahr saw that the salmon of the Pacific Rim were destined to go the way of their Atlantic brethren: near extinction.


I love biographies- its always such fun history lesson told is story format. Amazing story.

What a fascinating read. I honestly couldn't put it down. I learned so much about salmon, the Kamchatka Peninsula, the history of salmon conservation, and I loved the wild experiences from Russia's far east. This book is inspiring in so many ways; that a kid who didn't fit in from the midwest could follow his passion and go on to make such a difference for the entire world is amazing. Part adventure story, part biography, part conservation treatise... altogether fantastically written and utterly engaging. I couldn't stop telling people about it while I was reading it and I'd definitely recommend it.

A book as beautiful as the land and creatures it teaches about. I am so impressed with this book. The extent of my fish-based knowledge is a handful of experiences catching bluegill with my grandfather in Kentucky, which falls far short of the majesty of the salmon. But this book is about so much more than the salmon itself: about how humans don't appreciate something until its gone or recognize the consequences of their actions, how dire different environmental issues are and how much lack of care there is to fix them.

It's not all bad though. This book portrays natural beauty in such an immersive way. It's easy to forget that you're reading non-fiction because the prose is so lovely; I will read any topic Malarkey writes on in the future because her style is perfection. The natural beauty of the world really shines through her words and I loved the almost mystical quality of those special people in this world who feel and experience nature on this whole other level from the rest of us.

The people portrayed in the book are as fascinating as the events themselves. I particularly loved the chapters in Russia and thought that Malarkey really nailed the soul of that culture in a great way. It was great insight into the zeitgeist of the country and its people. But of course the star of the show is Guido. Like a fictional character we watch him grow and change and become a man who's responsible for saving untold acres of virgin land and the animals living there. I'm in awe of his efforts. The love and fascination Malarkey has with her cousin is palpable, especially in the scenes where it's just the two of them on the river.

This is a really amazing book. You don't even need to be interested in fish. It's a story about people, about wanting something bigger than yourself, and pushing as hard as you can to make it happen. I would recommend this to any reader but particularly to nature lovers. If you've ever walked alone in the quiet of nature, looked around, and thought about how incredible this planet is, this book will be a treasure.

Note: I received a Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley and a hardcover copy from Goodreads in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank Goodreads, NetGalley, the publisher Random House, and the author Tucker Malarkey for the opportunity to do so.

I chose this book on the strength of the publishers blurb, that it is in the vein of The Orchid Thief which I loved, and it’s about saving Salmon, from Oregon and beyond, and I live in Oregon. I didn’t know that Guido Rahr and the author are cousins or that they were children together in Deschutes county where I live, or that Guido was the first reptile interpreter at the High Desert Museum where I am a living history interpreter. I don’t fly fish, I don’t fish, but once I started reading this book, I couldn’t stop.

It’s about fish, it’s about habitat and it’s about keeping them both safe from the encroachment of opportunistic development. Guido’s argument to the Russians was - don’t do to the salmon what the Americans did to theirs. I would say to the Americans, don’t do to habitats what the Russians did to theirs, like Sakhalin Island. As Americans we still have a voice and we need to use it. In the credits i read that the author was a researcher and coauthor of Sleepwalking Through History, a very powerful book that I think should be required reading for all Americans. I’ve read it three times and given copies away; it’s kinda embarrassing.

This is a very readable book that contains a powerful message that we cannot afford to ignore. Read it, give copies to your friends and talk about it. We still have time.

Thank you, Net Galley and Spiegel & Grau for the chance to read this astonishing book. I chose it initially because of the title. As a native Oregonian, I thought it would interest me because salmon is our heritage. Not far into the book, I realized I knew half the people at the center of this story, which made it even more interesting. Then I fell under the spell of Malarkey’s amazing talent in telling a gripping adventure story while informing readers of the plight of salmon worldwide, how their survival affects all of us. Hats off to the remarkable Guido Rhar for his efforts to save the salmon and thank you, Tucker Malarkey, for the mesmerizing read.  Five BIG stars

“A crazy-good, intensely lived book that reads like an international thriller—only it’s our beloved salmon playing the part of diamonds or oil or gold.”—David James Duncan, author of The River Why and The Brothers K. Yes, it’s all of that!

5 stars

A fascinating look at the world's declining salmon population and the ecological concerns happening around the world. The future is grim if changes are not made soon. I definitely recommend this book to everyone! The

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own

Stronghold deliverers the importance of our planet, conservation and sustainability in a nice neat adventure filled package

Stronghold chronicles the life and triumphs of Guido Rahr, one of the incredible minds at the forefront of global conservation and sustainability. Tucker perfectly captures Guido as a child with a unique connection to the natural world and subsequently his struggles through academia, eventually emerging as the celebrated naturalist he is today.

However, it is easy to see that the real star of this book is the Pacific Salmon. The journey of salmon across oceans and rivers back to their place of birth is pivotal to ecosystems as a whole. Malarkey examines the impact of humans on this keystone species through the life work of Guido.

This book conveys everything from perfecting a fly-fishing cast to the evolutionary history of Pacific salmon.

For me, a non-fiction book should tell a story, regardless of how profound it may be. A truly captivating non-fiction book is one which hooks you from the first page, expands your knowledge through expert experiences and changes the way you look at the world. Stronghold does all of this and more!
I love and have a strong background in conservation ecology, which is the reason I was so drawn to this book. I am amazed by how much I have learned about salmon, conservation and general ecosystems from this book. It was so easy to read and the way that Tucker has incorporated the lifelong journey of her cousin alongside the fate of salmon across the globe is simply inspiring. I finished this book with a renewed motivation to do my part in the global conservation of unique ecosystems.

I don’t think that I could sing the praises of this book any louder if I tired; If you read one non-fiction book this year make it Stronghold.

I was initially intrigued by this book because of my personal connections to nature and love of fishing. This books tells the story of a man, Guido Rahr, and his lifelong compassion and determination to protecting nature, specifically salmon. He creates a "stronghold" initiative and does incredible things with it. I expected this book to read more scientifically but it was told in an easy to follow narrative prose. The science was weaved in so that the story made sense. I really enjoyed this book and felt like I was traveling the world too! Tucker Malarkey did a wonderful job of portraying the beauty and wildness of the lands being explored. This story was written creatively and I would definitely recommend for anyone interested in conservation or who has a love for the outdoors!
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC!

Stronghold follows Guido Rahr’s quest to save the salmon ecosystem. His travels from Alaska to Russia and beyond are chronicled and the book describes the role of politics as well as sociological influences as it impacts environmental policy. The book covers Guido’s background and how his interest in saving salmon came to be. The pace of the book sometimes slows when supplying factual information, but when he is back on the river on his many trips the pace picks up. It was enlightening and a testament to those that are committed to saving the environment – in this case, the salmon. I received this book from NetGalley and Random House for an honest review – it was a pleasure to read.

This is a great read! What a thrilling book about the wonders of nature and the adventures of a passionate conservationist. This is recent history and an inspiring tale. The details are clearly laid out, from the very naming of fish (a cherry salmon, steelhead) to the habitats that anadromous creatures use (marine and terrestrial) to working with the rich and famous to fund fish protection.

The book tells fascinating stories about fish and people. The results of careful study reveal the secrets of wild and productive rivers (did you know that larvae in the mud become the flies that fish need? or that salmonids have diverse timing, so that even within one species and one river, individual fish feed and move up or down stream at different times?).

This is a biography of a person who has helped protect millions of acres for salmon. The life story of Guido Rawr reflects the singleminded pursuit of a naturalist and the devotion of a fly fisherman. We can learn so much about studying, leading, and fighting from this book. The author tells us exciting stories.

I do highly recommend Stronghold, a modern tale of conservation and the miracle that are the salmon around the Pacific Rim. Clearly there is work still to be done (both restoration and protection) to ensure that our grandchildren will have salmon.

Recommended for people interested in ecology, wild rivers, salmon, current conservation including reserves, the Soviet Far East, the Pacific Rim, or heroic idealism.

Fascinating story of Guido Rahr, the Wild Salmon Society, the gigantic barriers facing both and their amazing accomplishments battling and eventually busting those barriers. Good writing/reporting, character development and pacing. Learned a lot in this reading and will likely read again. Have already recommended to several friends and family.

I love to fish. Stronghold was a very powerful book on what is happening to Salmon. It follows Guido on his path to discover what is happening and his adventures getting there. I highly recommend this book.

Stronghold by Tucker Malarkey

A book about salmon? You’ll be amazed at Guido’s story as told by his cousin Tucker Malarkey and even more so that you find it so darn interesting. It’s an easy flow read which will appeal to anyone with an ounce of caring about our precious planet and its future.

Guido Rahr was an awkward misfit most of his childhood. Snakes, insects, rodents and creepy crawling things interested him, and while he also liked to draw, fishing was his first love, particularly fly fishing. As we see Guido mature, he begins to appeal to people of great wealth and influence. These are people who could help him turn around the dangers of our dwindling fish habitats and strongholds. Guido traveled and fished the world, taking some of these VIPs with him. Though still a bit odd, everyone loved Guido’s ease of explaining the world’s mounting problem of polluting the pristine fish habitats, and as a result, having fewer and fewer wild fish, salmon in particular.

Read this fabulous story and see if you’re convinced or not that we are on the precipice of a dangerous loss if our salmon population continues to diminish, and that the time to turn this around is now. What may seem as an insignificant problem should scare us all into action, thanks to Guido Rahr.

This book is an eye-opener on the crisis regarding salmon health around the globe. There were so many points that I never knew about: how different salmon varieties prefer different parts of a river for spawning and how their bodies are built to return to that specific area; how we can learn so much about a salmon's lifecycle by analyzing its otolith -- basically, the fish's tree rings; like how the fish interact with trees and how climate change is hurting the species; how Atlantic salmon are gone. Truly, awe-inspiring and educational on how valuable these fish are. I admire Guido Rahr and his dedication, and I found his experiences with flyfishing very interesting. Wild Salmon Center focuses work on Pacific salmon and how they are being impacted. It would be very valuable to focus the end of the book more directly on what the average reader can do to help change this situation. Where can we use our purchasing and lobbying powers? As the book says, once the ecosystem is impacted, it can never be fully restored... we have to save what remains. A recommended read for everyone interested in salmon, ecosystems, and the Pacific Northwest.

4.5 stars.
Stronghold is a fascinating book about Guido (Gee-do) Rahr and his passion for salmon, fly-fishing for them, and in particular- SAVING them. I am not what one would call a "fish person". I don't fish or even eat much fish, however I am passionate about the conservation of our natural lands and resources and this book really opened my eyes to the fact that salmon are a keystone species throughout the Pacific Rim, as they once were in the North Atlantic until development, pollution, and overfishing caused the collapse of salmon (and other species) in the Atlantic region.
The author (Rahr's first cousin) really made me care about fish and opened my eyes to the challenges they face and the value they offer to the rivers and the lands, plants, and terrestrial animals surrounding their rivers!

I love that this is not only about conservation and preservation of a species, but also a captivating story about how a person who had problems in school when young that was not traditionally educated can go on to do great and important things.

A very interesting book with a strong message about how precious our eco system is.
Even if you're not a fly fisherman or fisherman at all this is a great book to read about our impact on the rivers and fish.

As a lifelong hard-core fisherman, I have despaired at humanity’s handling of the salmon’s existence. Totally a slave to its own stubborn fight for life, the salmon’s numbers have greatly diminished in recent years by the incompetence displayed by supposed experts and organizations charged with saving the vanishing fish. These inept schemes to protect and replenish their numbers have only one thing in common; their failures.

Tucker Malarkey tells us about a man, Guido Rahr, whose makeup may have the same stubborn fortitude as the salmon. The book’s title, “Stronghold,” is the sobriquet for a wild river untouched by civilization; only found in a few places. The book is the story of a remarkable conservationist who wages an inflexible battle against the environmental, commercial, and recreational greediness that threatens these stronghold rivers, most of which are found in Russia. It’s a story that indeed produces tears and a broken heart as this magnificent fish fights its natural battle for survival against the unnatural demons of over fishing, poisons, environmental carelessness, and stupidity of people and their governments.

Is there any hope that the battle will ever replenish our natural resources with the reappearance of this glorious creature? Probably not, if the disappearance of other wild animals is any gauge. Man’s careless stewardship has caused the demise of many beautiful beasts. Malarkey has enumerated these excesses and, in her study of Rahr, has introduced a person who might have the fortitude and aptitude to create new approaches to the distressing problem, even when dealing with the intransigent Russia government (and America’s fumbling efforts).

Rahr exemplifies the ingrained strong will of the fish he fights to protect. As a non academic who struggled with everything except interest in the natural world, Rahr has talked his way into being a strident and persuasive world wide advocate for the salmon’s well being. His fight against gamesmanship, corruption, and stupidity is a magnificent display of dedication and negotiation skills. Malarkey has displayed her own impressive skills by writing an intriguing book about this determined defender. Her ability to unsnarl this complicated endeavor is exceptional.

We should all look inward at our attitudes and insist on meaningful reform. We must be vocal and demanding in our attempts to bring order to the fight against extinction. No excesses or stumbling attempts at conservation should be allowed and only officials who are single-minded and totally unbiased should be given the reins of any protection effort. After reading this astounding book, I am rededicating my efforts to the goal of protecting the glorious salmon from annihilation and from inept attempts at conservation.