The Chief Engineer

"The Chief Engineer" by Henry Abbott is a memoir wrapped in natural history, detailing the life of a resourceful beaver. Set against the backdrop of Cherry Pond, the book tells the story of the Chief Engineer, a beaver admired for his dam-building skills and cleverness in preparing for the harsh winter. Abbott recounts his humorous encounters with the beaver and chronicles his transformation from a lone creature to a family leader. Through vivid descriptions and personal stories, the text highlights the resilience of beavers in their natural world, as well as the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife conservation. The book also tracks the beaver's life, its impact on the ecosystem and the challenges faced by the population of beavers because of people.