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The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone
A New York Times Notable Book
The inside account of the environmental story of the decade Early in this century, U.S. government agents trapped, poisoned, or shot every wolf they could track down in and around Yellowstone National Park. By 1926, not one wolf was left alive. After generations of struggle between the wolf's friends and foes, the wolf was returned to Yellowstone in January of 1995. Thomas McNamee chronicles the drama of the reintroduction, the political machinations behind it, and the harrowing details of the wolves' own lives. In his telling, it is easy to see why this saga has stirred the imagination of a nation.
The inside account of the environmental story of the decade Early in this century, U.S. government agents trapped, poisoned, or shot every wolf they could track down in and around Yellowstone National Park. By 1926, not one wolf was left alive. After generations of struggle between the wolf's friends and foes, the wolf was returned to Yellowstone in January of 1995. Thomas McNamee chronicles the drama of the reintroduction, the political machinations behind it, and the harrowing details of the wolves' own lives. In his telling, it is easy to see why this saga has stirred the imagination of a nation.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 28, 2009
I finished this book sitting in a hotel room in Bozeman, MT, on my way to Yellowstone National Park, having made it more than halfway through this book in just a few hours while traveling through assorted airports making my way west. Long story short, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is super well written, and relays the complex, compelling, and controversy-rich early story of restoration of three wolf packs to Yellowstone National Park early in 1995 after their human-directed extermination from this environment in the early 20h century. The fact that while still in their holding pens, as part of something referred to as a "soft release," the animals nearly died due to politics was a common theme and the reader quickly learns that the ultimate fate of the gray wolf in the northern Rockies is anything but certain.
McNamee writes in an admirably objective fashion regarding this highly controversial--and complicated--undertaking. He is up front with his readers that he was a former president of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a decidedly pro-wolf partner in advocating in favor of restoring gray wolves to this park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The book was published in 1997, and provides a fascinating window into what remains a flashpoint issue (although perhaps surpassed by ranchers' and wildlife managers' fears of tranmission of brucellosis from bison and elk crossing park boundaries and potentially infecting cattle on surrounding properties). I found it a wonderful introductory read to beginning to ask (and research answers to) important questions about how wildlife conservation and management is carried out in the public interest (i.e., in our name and with us footing the bill).
With this as a foundation, interested readers can quickly move on to more recent publications by Doug Smith (director of the National Park Service's ongoing Wolf Project), in Yellowstone Science, and in many other places.
McNamee writes in an admirably objective fashion regarding this highly controversial--and complicated--undertaking. He is up front with his readers that he was a former president of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a decidedly pro-wolf partner in advocating in favor of restoring gray wolves to this park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The book was published in 1997, and provides a fascinating window into what remains a flashpoint issue (although perhaps surpassed by ranchers' and wildlife managers' fears of tranmission of brucellosis from bison and elk crossing park boundaries and potentially infecting cattle on surrounding properties). I found it a wonderful introductory read to beginning to ask (and research answers to) important questions about how wildlife conservation and management is carried out in the public interest (i.e., in our name and with us footing the bill).
With this as a foundation, interested readers can quickly move on to more recent publications by Doug Smith (director of the National Park Service's ongoing Wolf Project), in Yellowstone Science, and in many other places.
February 23, 2016
Its description is what led me to read this book, and yet I found the telling of what should have been a stirring and dramatic story, to be far too dry. Even in the relaying of deaths, I got the feeling that these animals were only numbers to the man. I suppose it’s a position he’d have to have, since he hunts “wayward” wolves, those that have the audacity to not know where the boundaries of the park are….or who have the misfortune to live in Idaho. Still, it makes me wonder. Shouldn’t a person feel more for an animal he or she happens to make a living off of?
All of which made his turn to a weird sort of mysticism at the end that much more odd. The death of civilization will be attended by the disappearance of the wolf from Yellowstone. What does that mean? That the wolf can’t survive without man? I find that hard to believe. That the people left living, having descended into barbarism, will kill all the wolves? That, I can believe, though I’d think they’d have more to worry about than a pack of wolves living in the wilderness.
All of which made his turn to a weird sort of mysticism at the end that much more odd. The death of civilization will be attended by the disappearance of the wolf from Yellowstone. What does that mean? That the wolf can’t survive without man? I find that hard to believe. That the people left living, having descended into barbarism, will kill all the wolves? That, I can believe, though I’d think they’d have more to worry about than a pack of wolves living in the wilderness.
January 10, 2018
So, twenty plus years ago we were dealing with anti-science idiots, too? I can't decide if this makes me more optimistic or pessimistic for our future.
As usual with McNamee, this book is well written. Read it.
As usual with McNamee, this book is well written. Read it.
April 2, 2019
The transformation of a national park. I love it!...
November 14, 2014
McNamee was an early supporter in the restoration of the wolves to Yellowstone.
He is a rancher,and the former president of the Yellowstone Coalition. He certainly knows Yellowstone and Montana. His understanding of biology, wolfs and Yellowstone's diverse environment are impressive. The story told covers the events back in 1995 when they transplanted 3 wolf packs from Alberta, Canada. As it says on its back cover, it reads like a thriller. The haters and the wolf opponents are the uber drama queens in this struggle to stop the efforts to reunite wolfs and Yellowstone after a 60 year absence. This book shows up close, the fragile balance of life in the ecosystems that make up the massive Yellowstone. Unlike the way they are advertised, wolves are not a threat to humans; they will almost always back away from contact with humans. I was impressed by this writers style.
The prose that he writes on nature reminds me of Charles Frazier, Cormac McCarthy, and a little bit of Thoreau in that he sees so much around him while "walking in the woods". Very enchanting. He takes a break from the wolves in the chapter called "Drainage Ditch", recounting his bucolic boyhood days in the country. That was a most enjoyable read.
This book will not be sitting on my shelf. I already have two people lined up waiting to read it.
He is a rancher,and the former president of the Yellowstone Coalition. He certainly knows Yellowstone and Montana. His understanding of biology, wolfs and Yellowstone's diverse environment are impressive. The story told covers the events back in 1995 when they transplanted 3 wolf packs from Alberta, Canada. As it says on its back cover, it reads like a thriller. The haters and the wolf opponents are the uber drama queens in this struggle to stop the efforts to reunite wolfs and Yellowstone after a 60 year absence. This book shows up close, the fragile balance of life in the ecosystems that make up the massive Yellowstone. Unlike the way they are advertised, wolves are not a threat to humans; they will almost always back away from contact with humans. I was impressed by this writers style.
The prose that he writes on nature reminds me of Charles Frazier, Cormac McCarthy, and a little bit of Thoreau in that he sees so much around him while "walking in the woods". Very enchanting. He takes a break from the wolves in the chapter called "Drainage Ditch", recounting his bucolic boyhood days in the country. That was a most enjoyable read.
This book will not be sitting on my shelf. I already have two people lined up waiting to read it.
July 25, 2011
A magnificent account on the challenging aspects of a wildlife reintroduction program. Stresses the importance of the wolf as a key-stone predator and the importance they play in maintaining an ecological balance. The book is a character study not only of wolf biology but also of animal behaviour, ecology and habitat restoration.
The author never crosses the barrier of information over-load and he maintains a laid-back, oftentimes wry narrative style evocative of his involvement in the project. It is at once extremely informative and spine tingling-ly poignant.
The author never crosses the barrier of information over-load and he maintains a laid-back, oftentimes wry narrative style evocative of his involvement in the project. It is at once extremely informative and spine tingling-ly poignant.
February 6, 2012
This book was more interesting than I thought it would be. It did move slowly at times, but I think I have more respect for the wolves, and the people that worked so hard to get them there. I liked that McNamee wrote kind of a day by day thing to really get the sense that this wasn't an overnight project, this took years to get done. Really interesting, especially toward the end, and would highly recommend it for anybody that loves wolves, Yellowstone, and animals in general.
June 14, 2012
very readable natural history of wolves in north america and especially the reintroduction of wolves to wyoming and idaho. author is very pro-wolf and so perhaps has a bit of bias, but not much. lots of science in here, but also culture and emotion. all you ever wanted to know about wolf reintroduction, but unfortunately a bit dated now in 2012 as this is about the era of 1995. still a wonderful read. has nice maps too.
September 20, 2011
3.5/5 stars. I liked the story more than the writing style. He captures what happened and the people involved in a way that makes everything relative and enjoyable but his prose is a little obnoxious. 5/5 stars for the true story and people involved. 2/5 stars for the writing.
June 8, 2012
Great book, discusses the political actions involved in he project in detail. It's surprisingly interesting. This is more about the people surrounding the program than the wolves, FYI, but I think McNamee did a great job. This book led me to read The Grizzly Bear, also good.
February 16, 2013
Reads like a who done it, the 1995 reinstating of wolves from Alberta in spite of dissent from farmers, ranchers, some conservationists, etc. with all the personalities of biologists and politicians and advocates, plus the cast of wolves.
July 21, 2008
I read this after we saw one of the wolf packs on a family vacation to Yellowstone. It was the most incredible experience, and I became curious about how this project.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews