I have read over 40 books about wolves over 35 years and this one stands out as one of the very best.
The book has two main themes -- the life histories of individual wolves brought to Yellowstone and their packs, and what wildlife biologists actually do to accomplish a successful introduction and gather the histories of these wolves. Both these themes are covered very well in exceptionally graceful writing.
Missing intentionally is a blow by blow history of the political controversy surrounding the introduction, and I am glad for that -- the focus remains on the wolves and how they deal with the challenges they face. The political history has been covered in other books and is a fairly depressing story of people shouting at each other.
The authors ability to describe in remarkable detail on the histories of individual wolves and their packs was aided enormously by the radio collars the placed on select individuals and the high visibility of the wolves in Yellowstone. The picture that emerges is of an enormously rich, complex, dynamic and tough world. Surviving is a constant challenge for a wolf, even in this prey-rich environment, and few wolves make it past 4-5 years old, much younger than the lives of wolves in captivity.
Their is so much information about their behavior that the wolves emerge as distinct individuals with dramatically different personalities and styles. Packs develop unique cultures (e.g. hunting bison). The static alpha male - alpha female hierarchy so often described in other books turns out to be far more variable with much greater roles in some packs for the alpha female and non-alpha wolves.
The authors note how frequently the wolves' behavior continues to them, particularly social behavior. There are far more ways to organize and "run" a wolf pack then previously thought, and the complexity of the dynamics described resembles human social interactions to a remarkable degree.
There is a lot that can be learned even by well-read wolf enthusiasts from reading this book. Yet, for those who are just beginning to read about wolves, this book is a superb introduction to these animals that get more fascinating the more we know about them.
Those who enjoyed the insight into the life of a wildlife biologist in this book would no doubt also enjoy Craig Packer's
Into Africa
, an account of his work with the social histories of African lion prides.
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All of the participants who were in the forefront of getting Wolves back into Yellowstone Park
I have a passion and love for Wolves and try to stay close to any books and information out there on them..the book was very well written though I do have one concern..Renee Askins, ,an Author and the one who was inspired to develop the Wolf Fund...along with being one of the ones who helped restore wolves in Yellow Stone National Park was never mentioned nor acknowledged in this book..and what i found interesting was that in her book, Shadow Mountain, she acknowledged both of you as participants and helpers in this very important work ....the respect for her is even greater, a hero in my heart, and if you ever want to read a personal narrative of the restoration of Wolves into Yellowstone and elsewhere, I recommend not only this book but her's also..thank you!!
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stacie
Great wolf book alot of great information of wolves.
Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2021
Amazon Customer
The History of the Yellowstone Wolves
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2017