By Nate Blakeslee
Crown Publishers, 2017. 300 pgs. Nonfiction
Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and since then, park rangers and conservationists have been watching and tracking individual wolves and wolf packs throughout the Rockies. Using this data so meticulously collected, Blakeslee has written the dramatic story of O-Six, a large, clever alpha female who reigned the Lamar Valley. But the story of this beloved wolf cannot be told without also introducing wolf watcher Laurie Lyman and park wildlife expert Rick McIntyre who together helped to build O-Six's the celebrity and use her life to argue the case for keeping wolves on the endangered species list and safe from hunters determined to keep their numbers low.
American Wolf is written with a wonderful pace and inspired passion. The plight of the wolves is carefully described, but the author also attempts to describe the arguments of the ranchers and hunters who feel no love for the creatures. The author is definitely biased for the wolves, but admirably manages to keep the other side from being vilified. Perfect reading for animal and nature lovers...also for anyone who just wants a good true story.
CG
2 comments:
Blakeslee tells the captivating story of the wolves of Yellowstone over a two-decade period, and especially the story of O-Six, one of the most resourceful and memorable wolves of the Lamar Valley. He also tells of the battles being fought outside of Yellowstone, in communities and courtrooms where the wolves have been a source of ire and contention for as long as they have been in the West. Blakeslee is surprisingly sympathetic with those who fall in the "anti-wolf" category, and tells their story with humanity and understanding. I listened to the audiobook, whose narrator had the perfect grisled, mountain-man-turned-national-geographic-narrator voice for this story.
I also listened to the audiobook and approve of the narration. I loved O-Six’s story, and that the author shows the wolves as intelligent individuals. Aside from the wolves’ story, one of my favorite things about this book is hearing so much about Rick MckIntyre. When I was a teenager my family went to Yellowstone and we were told if we wanted to see wolves, find the yellow xterra pulled off the road and talk to that guy. We did, and he helped me look at the wolves through his scope. That was my favorite part of the trip! Those interested in nature/animal nonfiction, wolves, Yellowstone, or conservation would enjoy this book.
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