Sarkis Atamian - The Bears of Manley: Adventures of an Alaskan Trophy Hunter in Search of the Ultimate Symbol

I have deliberately avoided trying to make this book a research monograph, an academic project, or a scholarly work, although there are some unavoidable elements of these. Hence, I have kept the usual footnotes, references, and scholarly impedimenta to a bare minimumexcept when the few quotations have been direct.

While the hunter's mind is important to explain him, his soul is far more important to understand him, since he is the result of many cultures, civilizations, and the universal human spirit. I have preferred to concentrate on his soul and the meaning of the hunt which makes the hunter what and who he is. For better or worse, I have been my own study and the hunting trail is the laboratory of my experiments and experiences.

No one can spend 25 years teaching in the university, as I have, without preferring certain ideas over others since some are, obviously, of far greater value, integrity, and influence. Ideas are not of equal importance. The reader may be interested in some sources that are important to my thoughts. With one obvious exception, none of the small list of select thinkers below is a hunter, nor have they written anything about hunting as far as I know. But they have written extensively, and germinally, about culture, civilization, history, and human psyche. Oddly enough, these are things that tell us what hunting is all about. The spilling of blood does not. Also, some authors have expressed thoughts on the nature of sports and athletics in general. They too have been helpful to me and are included.

David Frost, The Philosophical Scientists

Jose Ortega Y Gasset, Meditations On Hunting

Johan Huizinga, Homo Ludens

Carl G. Jung, The Portable Jung

Dorothy Norman, The Hero: Myth, Image, Symbol

Pitirim A. Sorokin, Culture, Society, and Personality

Mihaly Csizkszentmihalyi, Beyond Boredom and Anxiety

George Leonard, The Ultimate Athlete

And some 800 books by hunters, from the world's greatest to the pretenders and spoilers; to mention even a few important ones would be too many.

I acknowledge, with special gratitude, six people who made this book a reality.

Dr. Arnold Griese, dear friend and colleague, for his encouragement.

Clyde Beutler, dear friend and gentleman extraordinaire, who pushed the magic buttons to find my publisher.

Evan and Margaret Swensen, who had the courage to publish this book despite its Political Incorrectness.

Ersa Kelley, for his dedicated hours of proofreading and kind suggestions.

Alison Atamian, beloved wife and worker of miracles, who never lost faith in me to finish this book, did the typing, and still got the meals on time.

I also express my gratitude to the following persons who gave so generously of their time, expertise, and suggestions: Dr. Rahim Borhani, Mrs. Linda Conover, Dr. James Ivey, Mr. Robert Lafferty, Dr. Ron Williams, Dr. Glen Straatsma, and Lt. Col. William Waugaman (Ret.).