In Eager, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb offers a compelling exploration of North America's beavers, revealing their pivotal role in shaping ecosystems and highlighting the profound impacts of their near-extinction. Goldfarb's narrative delves into the historical fur trade that decimated beaver populations and examines contemporary efforts to reintroduce and protect these "ecosystem engineers." Through engaging storytelling and meticulous research, he illustrates how beavers contribute to biodiversity and water purification.
 
Critics have lauded Eager for its insightful and accessible prose. The Washington Post described it as "a masterpiece of a treatise on the natural world," while The Christian Science Monitor praised it as "a passionate, captivating love letter to the beaver." The book's blend of science, history, and personal anecdotes offers readers a nuanced understanding of beavers' ecological significance.