So glad that my favorite nonfiction writer Mary Roach is back, with another of her one-word titled books on unusual themes. I have previously read, and recommend Grunt, Packing for Mars (ok, 3 words on that one), Spook, and Stiff. Now we have Fuzz, a series of chapters on when animals become troublesome, or downright dangerous to humans, and how our interventions have evolved over time. Each chapter features a different pesky creature, and Mary tracks down people who can explain the issue and how we repeatedly attempt and often fail to redress the situation. Present throughout is Roach’s trademark humor, which had me smiling, frequently chortling, and occasionally forcing my husband to hear a portion read aloud, when I simply had to share her anecdote and phrasing, it was just too enjoyable to not share. My husband wishes I would keep these gems to myself, but I often lose self-restraint in the face of humor.

Some of the species conflicts Roach describes include monkeys in Agra, India, elephants in North Bengal, India, leopards in Pauri Garhwal, India (not going to India anytime soon), bear in Aspen, Colorado; and gulls in Vatican City, to name a few. She covers the range of interventions, from shooting, poisoning, traps that decapitate, dismember, and electrocute, scare tactics, and the latest innovations in genetic engineering. Roach has many discussions that center around the ethics of offing nuisance animals, and how humane researchers and officials try to reduce or eradicate species while doing so in a way that eases the consciences of society, a tough circle to square. Be sure to read every footnote, as some of her funniest observations and discoveries are planted there.

Nonfiction books tell real stories that have a similar arc as fiction, with the added benefit of imparting interesting facts with the telling. You will learn a great deal from Roach’s books, as she does careful research, but it is delivered with excellent humor all along. Fuzz is one of her better books. Highly recommend.