If you loved
Eager
Ben Goldfarb · Book · 2018
If Eager captivated you with its focus on how small, overlooked creatures profoundly reshape the world, these selections will deepen that appreciation.
Films on the same thread
Wonka
Film · 2023
The irrepressible spirit of discovery in Eager finds a creative parallel here, showing how a single individual with a unique vision can actively reshape their community and environment.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Jeff Fowler · Film · 2020
Much like the misunderstood beaver in Eager, this story follows a displaced outsider who finds his purpose, proving that even the most unexpected creatures can have a massive impact.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Marielle Heller · Film · 2019
Eager succeeds by humanizing the natural world, and this film captures a similar transformative power by showing how deep empathy and focused attention can fundamentally alter one's perspective on life.
Perfect Days
Wim Wenders · Film · 2023
While Eager focuses on the busyness of beavers, this film celebrates the quiet, rhythmic beauty of the natural world, mirroring the patient observation required to truly understand our environment.
Series on the same thread
Tiny World
Series · 2020
Just as Eager highlights the outsized ecological impact of the humble beaver, this series examines the extraordinary survival strategies of microscopic animals that quietly sustain our complex natural world.
A Perfect Planet
Series · 2021
You enjoyed the way Eager connected specific animal behaviors to planetary health, and this series continues that exploration by detailing how natural forces support the diversity of our planet.
Planet Earth
Series · 2006
The expansive look at biodiversity in this series complements the detailed environmentalism found in Eager, offering a broader view of the ecosystems that depend on the species within them.
Our Planet
Series · 2019
Eager champions the importance of wildlife conservation, and this documentary mirrors that mission by examining how climate change impacts the global biodiversity that requires our immediate and collective attention.
Podcasts on the same thread
The MeatEater Podcast
MeatEater · Podcast · 2026
If you appreciated the blend of science and stewardship in Eager, this podcast offers a similar commitment to ethical engagement with nature and a deep understanding of wild ecosystems.
Making Sense with Sam Harris
Sam Harris · Podcast · 2026
Eager invites you to rethink your assumptions about nature, and this podcast applies that same critical rigor to moral and societal questions, encouraging a more rational understanding of our world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Eager considered an award-winning science book?
Yes, Eager is an award-winning work of science writing. It received the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award and was recognized as a favorite science book of 2018 by Science News and a top ten science and technology book by Booklist.
What is the primary subject matter of Eager?
Eager focuses on the science of semi-aquatic rodents, specifically beavers. The book provides a detailed and humor-laced examination of the natural world, exploring the ecological impact and biology of these animals through the perspective of the author, Ben Goldfarb.
Did Eager receive recognition from major publications?
Yes, Eager earned significant critical acclaim. In addition to its science writing awards, the book was named one of the Washington Post's 50 notable works of nonfiction. The author, Ben Goldfarb, also wrote the New York Times 2023 notable book titled Crossings.
How is Eager described by critics?
Critics describe Eager as a marvelously humor-laced page-turner. It is considered a masterpiece of a treatise on the natural world, effectively combining scientific research with engaging prose to explain the importance of beavers and their role in the environment.