WHITE WOLF: Living With an Arctic Legend by Jim Brandenburg (Northword: $19.95).

An award-winning photographer for National Geographic, Jim Brandenburg repeatedly visited a desolate island near the northern coast of Greenland to capture its wildlife on film. Ellesmere Island is so remote, the wolves and other animals that live there have rarely seen humans and exhibit little fear of them, which allowed Brandenburg to take some exceptionally striking pictures. The dramatic beauty of these photographs makes “White Wolf” a standout among nature books, although its wide, low format (9 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches) makes it awkward to hold and read.