Tigers Between Empires offers a thorough history and a clear perspective of the amazing stories of Siberian Tigers. Jonathan Slaght is able to piece together limitless and accurate accounts of many researchers, local Eastern Russians, and conservationists. All while relating to each tiger and their names during the course of research.

The research is less popular and it receives less support from the government. But the researchers succeed, which is my favorite part of this story. Despite the illegal poaching of tigers and threats against conservationists, the population of tigers remains in a positive incline.

So, to gain more attention and support for these noble scientists, Slaght gives reason to believe that conservation efforts are more worthy of support. And the ideas of restoration can easily be adapted around the world.

I admire the careful and thoughtful research with particular attention to names, dates, places and data.

Thank you to Net Galley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this Advanced Reader's Copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

WOAH, one of my favorites from this entire year for sure! This book was amazing, I can't believe I have never heard of this author before now! I can't wait to read his other works. I nearly hesitated while requesting the advanced copy of this book, because I was worried I would find it a bit too historical and dry (I don't often like reading pure history). However, it was anything but that!!! While the author does go over, in intricate detail, the history of tiger conservation efforts in northeastern Asia from the 1990s until today, it reads like part memoir, part wilderness adventure story.

If you like to read about people spending time outdoors or living in remote places (I am recently especially fond of What Walks This Way: Discovering the Wildlife Around Us Through Their Tracks and Signs by Sharman Apt Russell, and Anima: A Wild Pastoral by Kapka Kassabova), then this would absolutely be the book for you. Animal lovers and fans of Barry Lopez (especially his animal writing in Arctic Dreams) will adore this as well, since the author takes you up close and personal with exactly how a tiger (and their prey) lives in the wild. We follow the young biologists through the forest while they note tiger signs and eventually begin to capture and track them- an intimate perspective that very very few people are ever lucky enough to experience.

Reading this was also very much like reading a memoir (even though I know it is not one), because the author really makes efforts to include specific details of the events and people involved to make you feel as if you are right there with them. In the end notes I found out this is likely because he WAS right there with them, at least for many later parts of this book, as he himself is a wildlife scientist who studied the endangered Blakiston's fish owl in the same region where the Siberian Tiger Project was doing its work (yes, I already added his book about this work to my tbr haha), and is friends with quite a few of the people he writes about. He is therefore able to paint such a wonderful and intimate picture of the Primorye region and its nature, along with the people involved in tiger conservation there.

I learned so much more than I expected about tigers and how they live (and die) in the wild. It is such a gift to feel like you have been right there walking with these huge, beautiful animals in their forest while reading this from your city house thousands of miles away. Wonderful history, wonderful animals, wonderful writing style, really a breath of fresh air- I can only very happily recommend this one!

A must-read for anyone who loves travel writing, wildlife, and remote landscapes. Tigers Between Empires beautifully blends scientific insight with personal adventure, offering a rare glimpse into the world of the endangered Amur tiger. Before reading this book, I knew very little about these elusive creatures - and even less about the tireless efforts scientists undertake to protect them. Slaght’s storytelling is both informative and deeply immersive, making this an eye-opening journey through one of the wildest corners of the world.