With its high mountains, clothed in emerald green and cut through with deep blue fjords, Kodiak, located in the Gulf of Alaska, is one of the most enchanting places I've ever visited. The rugged terrain has protected the islands from human exploitation, leaving the wilderness virtually untouched. This is the home of the Kodiak bear - the world's largest land predator. I first came to Kodiak in 1988 to film the beautiful scenery and the giant bears on the island. What I hadn't anticipated was the infinite hospitality of the people, who welcomed me like family. Since the early days of the Sugpiaq, through the invasion of the Russians, and the subsequent sale to the Americans, the people of Kodiak have enveloped the foreign cultures that washed upon their shores, and have developed themselves and their culture into what it is today - a celebration of diversity and harmony. Every time I step off the plane at Kodiak's airport, I take a deep breath and think, "It's good to be home!"In this book, I would like to introduce you to some of my friends on Kodiak and share with you the mysteries of Kodiak's history, the diversity of cultures, the richness of the environment, the enchantment of the wilderness, and the gentle character of the giant bear.Welcome to Kodiak, Alaska - the island of the great bear!