Reflections of a Whale-Watcher (Indiana University Press, 1995). Gilders' encounters with whales occasion reflections on such matters as speciation and evolution, the diversity of life, the role of politics and science in the treatment of animal populations, and the ethical and moral dilemmas that face us as we comtemplate the sentience of nonhuman animals. The book is an enthralling, deeply reflective, and scientifically accurate portrait of the great whales, and of the long and often troubled history of our encounters with them.

Crossing Alaska (Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 1997). Crossing Alaska whisks the reader along the corridor of the trans-Alaska pipeline, displaying dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and communities along its eight-hundred mile length from the Arctic Ocean to Prince William Sound. The pipeline has co-existed with the flora and fauna of this region for the past twenty years, delivering over eleven billion barrels of oil to the "lower 48" and providing almost 25 percent of the nation's domestically produced oil.

Water: Worlds Between Heaven and Earth (with world-renowned wildlife photographer Art Wolfe, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1999). Water: Worlds Between Heaven and Earth is a poetic, philosophical, mythological, environmental and scientific review of the wonders of water. With 120 dramatic photographs by Art Wolfe, this color filled book covers every aspect of water, from glaciers to waterfalls, oceans to rivers, lakes to creeks. Art Wolfe captures the essence of water in his images. A magical addition to any library or coffee-table.

The Nature of Great Apes (Greystone, 2000). "This is not only a beautiful book, but an important one. It highlights the intelligence and human-like qualities of the great apes and at the same time points to their desperate need for our help if they are to survive into the future." Jane Goodall, Ph.D

Primal Forces (Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 2000). This book takes the reader through the Earth's primal forces: earth, air, fire, and water. Each essay mixes science and mythology to bring to life the physical forces that shape our planet. While each essay begins with a myth from a different culture, the bulk on the essays focuses on the current scientific understanding of our 4.6 billion year old planet, from plate tectonics to glaciation and climate change. From the earthquakes of California, to the hurricanes of the Atlantic, the volcanoes of Iceland, and the vast ice sheets of Antarctica, the text and photography meld together to reveal an ever-changing planet that can never be described as stagnant or inert. This is a breath-taking book that serves as a celebration of nature's power and beauty.

The Living Wild (Wildlands Press, 2000), with Art Wolfe. The Living Wild celebrates the incredible diversity of wildlife that still inhabits the Earth at the beginning of this new century through the stunning photography of internationally acclaimed photographer Art Wolfe.

Africa (Wildlands Press, 2001), with Art Wolfe. Africa assails the senses. It is the sound of ten thousand animals running on open plains, the taste of heat in the air, the sight of flamingos tingeing a lake pink, the smell of dampness foretelling rains to come, and the touch of the earth beneath naked feet.

Why Am I Rare? (Red Deer Press, 2002). The first book in Michelle's Early Bird Nature Books series. Why Am I Rare? is on endangered species and is written for children ages 7-12. The 32-page book has 84 full colour photographs of some of the rarest species in the world.

The Kids' Guide to Zoo Animals (Red Deer Press, 2004). A guide to 200 popular zoo animals, with detailed species profiles, including photographs, descriptions, and range maps. Includes a glossary of biological terms and an introduction to the conservation value of zoos. For children 7-12.

For more information on Michelle's books, or to purchase signed copies directly from the author, please email.