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The Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone #4
The Alpha Female Wolf: The Fierce Legacy of Yellowstone's 06
Book Four in the Award-Winning Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone series
Following five generations of female wolves—including the famous 06—this gripping family saga set in Yellowstone National Park reveals the pivotal role that female wolves play in pack life.
“Rick’s writing is so vivid, so powerful, that I feel I have been right there with him among the wolves of Yellowstone. And I urge you, the reader, to come with us and discover the magic of wolf society.”—DR. JANE GOODALL, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Yellowstone’s 06 female was called ‘the most famous wolf in the world.’ Her strength, beauty, and intelligence were unmatched, and her ability to hunt, protect her young cubs, and choose the right mates made her pack successful. In his latest book, award-winning author and renowned wolf researcher Rick McIntyre turns his spotting scope on 06 and more remarkable female wolves, telling the dramatic true story of five generations of female leaders in Yellowstone National Park.
As Rick shows us, female wolves, not their male counterparts, play the most pivotal roles in pack life. They choose who may mate with them and where their pack will hunt and raise pups. They negotiate treaties and fiercely defend their families. The only opponent they cannot defeat is a human with a gun.
In The Alpha Female Wolf , McIntyre profiles 06’s rise to power. He also celebrates the lives of other female wolves who deserve our recognition. Throughout, McIntyre weaves wolf biology and storytelling into a page-turning narrative that, once again, gives readers a rare window into life in a wolf pack—this time from a female point of view.
Following five generations of female wolves—including the famous 06—this gripping family saga set in Yellowstone National Park reveals the pivotal role that female wolves play in pack life.
“Rick’s writing is so vivid, so powerful, that I feel I have been right there with him among the wolves of Yellowstone. And I urge you, the reader, to come with us and discover the magic of wolf society.”—DR. JANE GOODALL, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Yellowstone’s 06 female was called ‘the most famous wolf in the world.’ Her strength, beauty, and intelligence were unmatched, and her ability to hunt, protect her young cubs, and choose the right mates made her pack successful. In his latest book, award-winning author and renowned wolf researcher Rick McIntyre turns his spotting scope on 06 and more remarkable female wolves, telling the dramatic true story of five generations of female leaders in Yellowstone National Park.
As Rick shows us, female wolves, not their male counterparts, play the most pivotal roles in pack life. They choose who may mate with them and where their pack will hunt and raise pups. They negotiate treaties and fiercely defend their families. The only opponent they cannot defeat is a human with a gun.
In The Alpha Female Wolf , McIntyre profiles 06’s rise to power. He also celebrates the lives of other female wolves who deserve our recognition. Throughout, McIntyre weaves wolf biology and storytelling into a page-turning narrative that, once again, gives readers a rare window into life in a wolf pack—this time from a female point of view.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
163 people are currently reading
4013 people want to read
About the author
Rick McIntyre
18 books330 followersRick McIntyre is the acclaimed author of the Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone Book Series, which includes The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone's Underdog and The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone's Legendary Druid Pack (coming October 2020). McIntyre is currently at work on the third book in the series, about Wolf 302. McIntyre has recorded over 100,000 sightings of wild wolves--which is more sightings than any other person in history--and has written more than 7 million words of wolf observations, making him one of the world's foremost experts on wild wolf behavior. He has been featured on NPR, 60 Minutes, the Washington Post, the podcast This is Love and his book, The Rise of Wolf 8, was an Amazon Best Science Book of the Year and selected as a Notable Book by the prestigious Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards.
McIntyre worked as a ranger naturalist and wolf researcher for the National Park Service for four decades including many years in Alaska's Denali National Park, where he first began to study wolves. In 1994 he became Yellowstone National Park's first Wolf Interpreter, educating thousands of park visitors each year on Yellowstone's now-famous Wolf Reintroduction Project, which sought to reintroduce wolves to the park after the last wolves were shot and killed by park rangers 60 years earlier, in the 1920s. One day, McIntyre observed one of the first reintroduced wolves--a small, unassuming pup, the runt of his litter--stand up to a grizzly bear to protect his brothers. Over the next few years, McIntyre watched the small pup grow into a powerful alpha male, whose acts of bravery, loyalty, and kindness impressed McIntyre so much that he made him the subject of his first book, The Rise of Wolf 8. McIntyre profiles Wolf 8's equally remarkable adopted son in The Reign of Wolf 21.
In 1998, McIntyre transferred to the Wolf Reintroduction Project full-time and helped with research on the park's wolf population. He continued to work with the public by presenting talks along the roadside and showing visitors the wolves through his telescope. McIntyre retired from the National Park Service in 2018 to focus on his books, however, he continues to observe the Yellowstone wolves on an almost-daily basis, rain or shine. He lives in Silver Gate, Montana.
McIntyre worked as a ranger naturalist and wolf researcher for the National Park Service for four decades including many years in Alaska's Denali National Park, where he first began to study wolves. In 1994 he became Yellowstone National Park's first Wolf Interpreter, educating thousands of park visitors each year on Yellowstone's now-famous Wolf Reintroduction Project, which sought to reintroduce wolves to the park after the last wolves were shot and killed by park rangers 60 years earlier, in the 1920s. One day, McIntyre observed one of the first reintroduced wolves--a small, unassuming pup, the runt of his litter--stand up to a grizzly bear to protect his brothers. Over the next few years, McIntyre watched the small pup grow into a powerful alpha male, whose acts of bravery, loyalty, and kindness impressed McIntyre so much that he made him the subject of his first book, The Rise of Wolf 8. McIntyre profiles Wolf 8's equally remarkable adopted son in The Reign of Wolf 21.
In 1998, McIntyre transferred to the Wolf Reintroduction Project full-time and helped with research on the park's wolf population. He continued to work with the public by presenting talks along the roadside and showing visitors the wolves through his telescope. McIntyre retired from the National Park Service in 2018 to focus on his books, however, he continues to observe the Yellowstone wolves on an almost-daily basis, rain or shine. He lives in Silver Gate, Montana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
April 2, 2023
Rick’s writing is captivating, emotional and real. His work and the work of so many others who helped to bring wolves home to Yellowstone is so inspiring. I remember discovering this book inside of a bookstore shortly after coming to the realization I wanted to work with wolves, it felt like fate. I discovered there were three books prior to this one and ordered the entire series. Waiting to get to this one and reading the first three was beyond worth it. I cannot recommend all of these books enough. I hope for more books and data from Rick’s time in Yellowstone but either way I plan to reread this series over and over. 5 stars just doesn’t feel high enough.
January 24, 2023
The Alpha Female Wolf is a long overdue recognition of who really rules the pack and continues this multigenerational saga. Read my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2023...
February 13, 2023
The Alpha Female Wolf: The Fierce Legacy of Yellowstone's 06, Rick McIntyre, 2022, 256 pages plus 8 pages of photos, ISBN 9781771648585, Dewey 968.94044
Follows seven generations of wolves: the rise and fall of individuals and of packs, 2009-2015, especially "06." McIntyre spent thousands of hours watching the wolves, learning their characters and behaviors.
No one ever truly leaves us as long as we keep telling their story. p. 234.
There's a lot of drama in the lives of wild wolves in Yellowstone National Park. They attack and sometimes kill members of rival packs, over control of territory. In fact, most wolf deaths are due to attacks by other wolves. They're injured and sometimes killed by prey animals: bison or elk. They have to find unrelated mates who will be good parents to their pups. Wolves who venture outside the park boundaries are killed, legally or illegally, by hunters.
McIntyre writes in a "They did this. Then they did that." narrative style.
The "06 female" is so called because she was born in 2006 and didn't have a numbered radio collar. She's the star of the Bob Landis documentary video, /She Wolf/: https://m.filmaffinity.com/ie/movie.p...
98% of Yellowstone wolves live in packs; 2% are lone, mostly males seeking females. p. 18.
When a pack is reduced to only family members, too closely-related for good breeding, it needs fresh blood. When a strange male appears, and takes an interest in the females, the pack's males attack him. Females interpose themselves between the combattants, breaking up the fight and saving the suitor. pp. 15-17, 82.
COLOR
A pair of gray wolves cannot have black pups. A gray male nevertheless helps raise his gray mate's pups, regardless of their colors. p. 175.
"The Lava male arrived but did not get involved in the dispute among the females, always a smart thing for a male to do." p. 20.
The biggest wolf ever weighed in Yellowstone was 147 pounds. p. 63. The biggest female weighed 136.6 lb. Heavy wolves can prey on bison. 100-lb. wolves can run down elk. p. 182.
Wolves can follow the scent trail of one weak elk through a field full of healthy ones. p. 186.
A WOLF'S YEAR
Feb. 6, 2014 daytime temperature -55º F (-48º C) in the Lamar Valley. Wolves seem unaffected. p. 196.
Feb. 10-18, 2011 & 2012, Mating, 06F + 755M. "I have never seen a male try to force a female." p. 112.
March 4, 2012, 06F is at the den forest, probably cleaning out the den. p. 113.
March 14, 2011 Grizzlies appear
April 2, 2012 buttercups in bloom p. 118.
April 16-25, 2011 06F stays in den with newborn pups.
April 27, 2014 926F probably gave birth. p. 198.
Late June, 2011 pups emerge from den forest.
July, bison mating season. p. 176.
Late August, 2011, 2012, pups are traveling with the adults. p. 80.
Mid-September, 2011, pups join their first hunt. p. 84.
November 1, 2011 first snow cover
SPEED
Grizzlies can charge at 40 mph. Wolves can outrun them over a longer distance, at 35 mph. pp. 76, 84. Healthy adult elk can outrun wolves. p. 77. Pronghorn can run 65 mph. p. 84. The cheetahs they evolved to escape, died off in prehistory. (Fastest human sprinters achieve 23 mph for 10 to 20 seconds; fastest human distance runners maintain 13 mph for 2 hours.)
Chronic Wasting Disease (mad cow disease) affected 50% of Montana whitetail deer in 2021. Wolves haven't been infected. Wolf kills reduce the incidence of the disease. p. 67.
Wolves in Yellowstone make 80% of their kills at night. p. 91.
Blueberries are 83% of wolves' diet in Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota in July. p. 110.
Here's a transcript of a 2014 National Public Radio interview with the author and biologist Doug Smith:
https://www.npr.org/2014/05/23/314974...
Follows seven generations of wolves: the rise and fall of individuals and of packs, 2009-2015, especially "06." McIntyre spent thousands of hours watching the wolves, learning their characters and behaviors.
No one ever truly leaves us as long as we keep telling their story. p. 234.
There's a lot of drama in the lives of wild wolves in Yellowstone National Park. They attack and sometimes kill members of rival packs, over control of territory. In fact, most wolf deaths are due to attacks by other wolves. They're injured and sometimes killed by prey animals: bison or elk. They have to find unrelated mates who will be good parents to their pups. Wolves who venture outside the park boundaries are killed, legally or illegally, by hunters.
McIntyre writes in a "They did this. Then they did that." narrative style.
The "06 female" is so called because she was born in 2006 and didn't have a numbered radio collar. She's the star of the Bob Landis documentary video, /She Wolf/: https://m.filmaffinity.com/ie/movie.p...
98% of Yellowstone wolves live in packs; 2% are lone, mostly males seeking females. p. 18.
When a pack is reduced to only family members, too closely-related for good breeding, it needs fresh blood. When a strange male appears, and takes an interest in the females, the pack's males attack him. Females interpose themselves between the combattants, breaking up the fight and saving the suitor. pp. 15-17, 82.
COLOR
A pair of gray wolves cannot have black pups. A gray male nevertheless helps raise his gray mate's pups, regardless of their colors. p. 175.
"The Lava male arrived but did not get involved in the dispute among the females, always a smart thing for a male to do." p. 20.
The biggest wolf ever weighed in Yellowstone was 147 pounds. p. 63. The biggest female weighed 136.6 lb. Heavy wolves can prey on bison. 100-lb. wolves can run down elk. p. 182.
Wolves can follow the scent trail of one weak elk through a field full of healthy ones. p. 186.
A WOLF'S YEAR
Feb. 6, 2014 daytime temperature -55º F (-48º C) in the Lamar Valley. Wolves seem unaffected. p. 196.
Feb. 10-18, 2011 & 2012, Mating, 06F + 755M. "I have never seen a male try to force a female." p. 112.
March 4, 2012, 06F is at the den forest, probably cleaning out the den. p. 113.
March 14, 2011 Grizzlies appear
April 2, 2012 buttercups in bloom p. 118.
April 16-25, 2011 06F stays in den with newborn pups.
April 27, 2014 926F probably gave birth. p. 198.
Late June, 2011 pups emerge from den forest.
July, bison mating season. p. 176.
Late August, 2011, 2012, pups are traveling with the adults. p. 80.
Mid-September, 2011, pups join their first hunt. p. 84.
November 1, 2011 first snow cover
SPEED
Grizzlies can charge at 40 mph. Wolves can outrun them over a longer distance, at 35 mph. pp. 76, 84. Healthy adult elk can outrun wolves. p. 77. Pronghorn can run 65 mph. p. 84. The cheetahs they evolved to escape, died off in prehistory. (Fastest human sprinters achieve 23 mph for 10 to 20 seconds; fastest human distance runners maintain 13 mph for 2 hours.)
Chronic Wasting Disease (mad cow disease) affected 50% of Montana whitetail deer in 2021. Wolves haven't been infected. Wolf kills reduce the incidence of the disease. p. 67.
Wolves in Yellowstone make 80% of their kills at night. p. 91.
Blueberries are 83% of wolves' diet in Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota in July. p. 110.
Here's a transcript of a 2014 National Public Radio interview with the author and biologist Doug Smith:
https://www.npr.org/2014/05/23/314974...
September 14, 2025
i don't think a nonfiction ever made me cry before but this did
Read
March 14, 2025I’m not sure how to rate this, but sharing a few thoughts:
This was like a nature documentary without the great video, and felt at times like I was reading someone’s field journal - a bit tedious and dry. It was sometimes hard to keep track of the different wolves, identified largely by numbers, and packs without a map (might have fared better if I didn’t read this as an audiobook). That being said, there were definitely moments that moved me and made me think about what great opportunities scientists and biologists and ecologists have to study and help us better understand our world. It was really cool to see the role that female wolves play in wolf society - no shock here, they’re smart and capable and resilient and great leaders. It was also cool to hear the stories that McIntyre shared of his interactions with park visitors, where he shared his knowledge and helped them see the wolves he was studying (even going so far as to help a visitor in a wheelchair up a slope to get a better view). Would love to visit Yellowstone and run across him studying the Lamar Canyon pack, and learn a thing or two directly from him. 15 years of going out every day to watch wolves and study their behavior. What a special, meaningful career!
Flagging for Lyssa and Megan, y’all might like this one! ❤️
This was like a nature documentary without the great video, and felt at times like I was reading someone’s field journal - a bit tedious and dry. It was sometimes hard to keep track of the different wolves, identified largely by numbers, and packs without a map (might have fared better if I didn’t read this as an audiobook). That being said, there were definitely moments that moved me and made me think about what great opportunities scientists and biologists and ecologists have to study and help us better understand our world. It was really cool to see the role that female wolves play in wolf society - no shock here, they’re smart and capable and resilient and great leaders. It was also cool to hear the stories that McIntyre shared of his interactions with park visitors, where he shared his knowledge and helped them see the wolves he was studying (even going so far as to help a visitor in a wheelchair up a slope to get a better view). Would love to visit Yellowstone and run across him studying the Lamar Canyon pack, and learn a thing or two directly from him. 15 years of going out every day to watch wolves and study their behavior. What a special, meaningful career!
Flagging for Lyssa and Megan, y’all might like this one! ❤️
November 23, 2025
Meravellos viatge amb la meva amiga 06. Ha canviat la meva concepción dels llops. La matriarca de yellowstone
June 24, 2024
A really beautiful story of the Wolves of Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. At times a bit too detailed, but all in all a great and informative read.
February 28, 2025
Lots of interesting information about wolves in Yellowstone, but also a compelling story about specific wolves, their personalities, stories, etc. The writing is maybe a little dry, but I think that's because the author is trying to describe events as objectively as possible. I really liked it!
January 13, 2023
I have read Rick McIntyre’s three previous Yellowstone wolf books and was fascinated by each one of them. This newest book in the series was just as fascinating. McIntyre focuses on two alpha female wolves, 06, and her daughter, 926. The book provides the reader with a glimpse into the events, large and small, in the everyday life of of the Lamar Canyon pack, and how the leadership qualities of these two females contributed to the the growth and success of their pack. Highly recommended.
July 29, 2023
Rick McIntyre was a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park. As part of his work there he worked on The Wolf Project which collected data on the Yellowstone wolves and would also trap and collar wolves so they could track them for further data. McIntyre spent 15 years going out every single day to look for the Yellowstone wolves. He became a passionate advocate and was often sought out by park visitors so they could see the Yellowstone wolves in the wild. In this book McIntyre tells the story of 06, an alpha female wolf and one of the most famous Yellowstone wolves. He does a great job with her story and also gives enough background on the wolves in Yellowstone that you understand where she falls in the Yellowstone wolf lineage. I had previously read American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee which covered more of the history of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, but also focused on 06 and her impact in Yellowstone. Blakeslee notes in his book how much information he got from Rick McIntyre for his book, so when I saw that McIntyre had written this one I wanted to read his account as well. McIntyre has written a series of books all focusing on a particular Yellowstone wolf. While I did enjoy this one a lot, I felt like Blakeslee's book was a little more dramatic and compelling of a read. But, I definitely think this one could stand on it's own mainly because McIntyre was so devoted to the wolves and took time every day to write down notes of his observations of the wolves. Reading this book makes me REALLY want to go to Yellowstone and see these amazing animals in their natural environment.
A quote I liked:
[In the early 1900s when some of the National Parks were being created, park rangers were instructed to kill any and all wolves found - not realizing that wolves and predators are a needed part of the ecosystem.] "In 1905 the state legislature [in Montana] passed a law ordering the state veterinarian to capture wild wolves, infect them with the mange mites, then release them back into the wild so they could pass the infestation to fellow family members. That bill was called 'An Act to provide for the extermination of wolves and coyotes by inoculating the same with Mange.'" [Basically, if the wolves had mange badly enough they would freeze to death in the winter because of their lack of fur. People are awful.]
A quote I liked:
[In the early 1900s when some of the National Parks were being created, park rangers were instructed to kill any and all wolves found - not realizing that wolves and predators are a needed part of the ecosystem.] "In 1905 the state legislature [in Montana] passed a law ordering the state veterinarian to capture wild wolves, infect them with the mange mites, then release them back into the wild so they could pass the infestation to fellow family members. That bill was called 'An Act to provide for the extermination of wolves and coyotes by inoculating the same with Mange.'" [Basically, if the wolves had mange badly enough they would freeze to death in the winter because of their lack of fur. People are awful.]
February 13, 2025
Review to come -- high 5 stars.
Edit: So I sat with this overnight. Firstly, Rick McIntyre is a fantastic author. I love my wildlife bookclub, but not every book they recommend is easy to get into. Despite being (presumably) the most recent book in a series, 06's narrative was immediately immersive. I, like many others, kept forgetting numbers and placement on maps -- but it's not essential to following the essential storyline. The greatest part about Mr. McIntyre transcribing his field notes is that we are carried into their day to day lives with the same ease and confidence in which they were recorded.
(This part contains spoilers.)
However, the hunting of 754 and 06 happened....abruptly. I know that's how it happens in real life, but to continue on as if we are not mourning them is a lot to cope with. I am glad we got to continue on with her daughter and her daughter's triumphs, but I wish we had had more closure, more....vindication for them. I am also an Animals Before People type, so that's where that comes from.
Overall, an exceptional book. I hope to read more of the series when I get the opportunity.
Edit: So I sat with this overnight. Firstly, Rick McIntyre is a fantastic author. I love my wildlife bookclub, but not every book they recommend is easy to get into. Despite being (presumably) the most recent book in a series, 06's narrative was immediately immersive. I, like many others, kept forgetting numbers and placement on maps -- but it's not essential to following the essential storyline. The greatest part about Mr. McIntyre transcribing his field notes is that we are carried into their day to day lives with the same ease and confidence in which they were recorded.
(This part contains spoilers.)
However, the hunting of 754 and 06 happened....abruptly. I know that's how it happens in real life, but to continue on as if we are not mourning them is a lot to cope with. I am glad we got to continue on with her daughter and her daughter's triumphs, but I wish we had had more closure, more....vindication for them. I am also an Animals Before People type, so that's where that comes from.
Overall, an exceptional book. I hope to read more of the series when I get the opportunity.
June 16, 2024
As always, McIntyre provides incredibly detailed observations of wolves. The wolves as he describes them have distinct personalities without ever resorting to excessive anthropomorphizing without basis. In fact it appears that if he even thinks he might be leaning that way he backs up his point with data from his own years of observations, but also cites other studies and reaches out to experts. I enjoyed this book, but the material it covers is started to feel a little rehashed for me. The story of 06 is covered impeccably in American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West and many of the other female alpha stories were mentioned in more or less detail in McIntyre's previous books. What happened after 06's death was interesting and new to me, though.
July 11, 2023
Rick McIntyre tells his stories about Yellowstone wolves with an admiring but scientific tone in Alpha Female Wolf. He documents how wolves interact with each other and with people with enough detachment to generate credibility, but enough love to generate a story. Sometimes it gets hard to track all the wolves' numbers (names), but McIntyre stops to remind readers of wolves' identities. Other than that, the sequence of short narratives of wolves hunting, mating, raising families, and fighting other packs is an easy read. It's so informative -- for instance, wolves seem to sense (smell?) sick elk and intentionally hunt them down, thus decreasing the incidence of chronic wasting disease in the park. Cool stuff, any of his books. (My hubby & I also like the personality descriptions, like wolves giving licks of greeting, no other agenda.)
February 26, 2025
I would consider this essential reading. The way dominance theory has suffused society due to faulty research makes the correction of the record. mandatory. Anyone having anything to do with family or canines understands everyone and everything exists to support the next generation… It’s unsurprising that the female who bears and rears the young has an outsized role in any society… Because what is society for if not to support production of new members?
Here 15 years of scientific observation of _wild_ packs is distilled to very entertaining dynastic stories. The alpha female reigns supreme. She selects as many male partners as she chooses. One? Sure. 4? Also, yes. However many males it takes for them to serve her purposes. I’m afraid for fragile male egos reading these, but male wolves aren’t bothered. Apparently, they understand that to get a little you need to give a little. They regard their strength as just another contribution to the pack.
Here 15 years of scientific observation of _wild_ packs is distilled to very entertaining dynastic stories. The alpha female reigns supreme. She selects as many male partners as she chooses. One? Sure. 4? Also, yes. However many males it takes for them to serve her purposes. I’m afraid for fragile male egos reading these, but male wolves aren’t bothered. Apparently, they understand that to get a little you need to give a little. They regard their strength as just another contribution to the pack.
June 18, 2024
The author- National Service Wolf observer who went out everyday for 15 years to watch the wolves tells a story of Lamar wolf pack. McIntyre give objective description of his observations of the wolves, mixed with his interpretation of wolves' behavior and description of his working days at Yellowstone park. I did appreciate his consistent effort on separating facts based on direct observation and possible interpretation of such sightings.
The book provides an amazing opportunity to look into the lives of wolves living in approximate 'wild' habitat. What I read here is, undeniable evidence of intelligence both analytical and emotional kinds. I cannot describe how I feel about 'us-humans' who's been affecting these animal's lives (and countless others). It seems just so arrogant to think that we can decide and control which animals and how many of them can live. I don't know whether 'our' high esteems intelligence can still be used as an excuse for our arrogant claim of 'controlling nature', after seeing the counterpart of wolves.
The book provides an amazing opportunity to look into the lives of wolves living in approximate 'wild' habitat. What I read here is, undeniable evidence of intelligence both analytical and emotional kinds. I cannot describe how I feel about 'us-humans' who's been affecting these animal's lives (and countless others). It seems just so arrogant to think that we can decide and control which animals and how many of them can live. I don't know whether 'our' high esteems intelligence can still be used as an excuse for our arrogant claim of 'controlling nature', after seeing the counterpart of wolves.
February 18, 2025
Buy.
A wonderful heartfelt cap to McIntyre’s remarkable series - one made possible by an equally remarkable (dare I say extreme) dedication to his craft.
Quite frankly, I think everyone should read a least one book in this series.
A wonderful heartfelt cap to McIntyre’s remarkable series - one made possible by an equally remarkable (dare I say extreme) dedication to his craft.
Quite frankly, I think everyone should read a least one book in this series.
January 30, 2025
It’s really inspiring to read about the alpha female wolves of Yellowstone. I learned a lot about the matrilineal society wolves adopt. 06 seems to be on the Mount Rushmore of Yellowstone wolves.
March 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for my dear 06 🥺 what a legend
December 2, 2025
If I could give it 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 stars I would. AMAZING BOOK! So sad when 926 (925???) died. 🩶🐺🖤🐺🤍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2022
Such a moving story! I fell in love with this wolf as I read and her story has all the drama, excitement, comedy, tragedy, and everything in between that anyone could ask for. How she overcame issues and found a loving family to call her own, then led that family and provided for and protected them is very awe-inspiring. If you have even been curious about the life of a wolf, read this book.
February 4, 2023
A great continuation of the series, with each new book I learn so much about wolf behavior. These are highly enjoyable and help create a deep respect for such a wonderful creature.
Read
November 7, 2022This book was surprisingly interesting. I did not really think a book that essentially comes down to someone observing the lives of Wolves in Wyoming would be able to keep my attention. In the spirit of honesty, I picked up this book because it said the Alpha Female and in society the Alpha is a male term. You could say the title lured me. I have to give McIntyre credit for making the wolves have similar traits to humans in their relationships. Who would have ever thought a wolf would be the victim of bullying? So now, I am wondering about the ways wolves communicate. Do they form alliances through compassion, actions or some combination of activities? Maybe the human society needs to take note of the Alpha female.
July 15, 2023
You’ve done it again sir! The advocacy for wolves and the point of the series beyond just telling stories really came through with this installment of the Wolves of Yellowstone. Primarily dealing with 06, 754 and 755 and their partnership and tragedy however it is by no means limited to their story. Many other wolves including 21, 42, and 926 were discussed. I loved the flash backs and the continuation of 06’s line. Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with this drc available through edelweiss that I will most certainly recommend upon release.
April 27, 2024
There was, I am led to believe, a time when the term "alpha male" was used to mean not only the dominant male wolf, but with the idea that this wolf dominated the entire pack. It was thought that this male wolf made all of the most important decisions for the pack. Gradually, over the last half century, it has become clear that in many cases it is the alpha female that makes decisions such as where to den for the year, when the pack should attack and when it should retreat in the face of another wolf pack, and so on.
This book is primarily concerned with telling us the life story of Wolf 06, an Alpha female (of the Lamar Canyon pack) in the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park. If she is our hero, however, there is also an antagonist: wolf 686, the Alpha female of a neighboring pack (the Mollie's pack). Here, we are met with one of the defining features of Rick McIntyre's writing: he does not hesitate to ascribe personalities to individual wolves. In fact, he does not hesitate to ascribe, to one pack vs. another, different cultural attributes.
For reasons he can only make informed guesses about, the Mollie's pack (led by 686) is much more prone to not only attack neighboring packs, but persist in their attack until they have killed at least one wolf from the other pack. In contrast, the Lamar Canyon pack is more likely to inflict damage, then leave (or allow the wolf to escape). One "strategy" relies upon eliminating your enemies; the other relies upon having neighboring packs that respect your territory, but are still strong enough in numbers to fight back other intruders from yet further off. The story in this book, is the story of how these two packs, with different strategies, fare over a period of several generations.
There is plenty to say about the males as well, of course. In one episode, one pack encounters another that is twice its size. Quickly, the alpha female makes the decision that they must run, and the yearlings (adolescent wolves) all follow her lead. The largest adult male, however, stands his ground until the last moment, then runs off in a different direction, leading the attacking pack to pursue him instead of the mother and young.
They caught him. He didn't stand a chance. He may have known that, when he chose his course of action, which almost certainly saved the rest of the pack.
This is not a book to read if you cannot stand to read about some fairly brutal violence. Wolves, are not snowflakes (although they do well in the snow). Whether hunting for food, defending their territory, or trying to expand it at another pack's expense, they do not hesitate to draw blood. But, it is also a book about how, even in the most brutal of environments, there are advantages in cooperation, and even restraint. Mostly, it tells us that these are difficult questions, which even many generations of evolution have not found a perfect answer to.
Real life is not an endless series of betrayals and back-stabbings, although those certainly are to be found. Real life comes down to us from a long line of those who made sacrifices so that the line could continue, and reading about the wolves of Yellowstone helps us to see this in its starkest form.
This book is primarily concerned with telling us the life story of Wolf 06, an Alpha female (of the Lamar Canyon pack) in the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park. If she is our hero, however, there is also an antagonist: wolf 686, the Alpha female of a neighboring pack (the Mollie's pack). Here, we are met with one of the defining features of Rick McIntyre's writing: he does not hesitate to ascribe personalities to individual wolves. In fact, he does not hesitate to ascribe, to one pack vs. another, different cultural attributes.
For reasons he can only make informed guesses about, the Mollie's pack (led by 686) is much more prone to not only attack neighboring packs, but persist in their attack until they have killed at least one wolf from the other pack. In contrast, the Lamar Canyon pack is more likely to inflict damage, then leave (or allow the wolf to escape). One "strategy" relies upon eliminating your enemies; the other relies upon having neighboring packs that respect your territory, but are still strong enough in numbers to fight back other intruders from yet further off. The story in this book, is the story of how these two packs, with different strategies, fare over a period of several generations.
There is plenty to say about the males as well, of course. In one episode, one pack encounters another that is twice its size. Quickly, the alpha female makes the decision that they must run, and the yearlings (adolescent wolves) all follow her lead. The largest adult male, however, stands his ground until the last moment, then runs off in a different direction, leading the attacking pack to pursue him instead of the mother and young.
They caught him. He didn't stand a chance. He may have known that, when he chose his course of action, which almost certainly saved the rest of the pack.
This is not a book to read if you cannot stand to read about some fairly brutal violence. Wolves, are not snowflakes (although they do well in the snow). Whether hunting for food, defending their territory, or trying to expand it at another pack's expense, they do not hesitate to draw blood. But, it is also a book about how, even in the most brutal of environments, there are advantages in cooperation, and even restraint. Mostly, it tells us that these are difficult questions, which even many generations of evolution have not found a perfect answer to.
Real life is not an endless series of betrayals and back-stabbings, although those certainly are to be found. Real life comes down to us from a long line of those who made sacrifices so that the line could continue, and reading about the wolves of Yellowstone helps us to see this in its starkest form.
March 15, 2025
This is the fourth book in the Alpha Wolf series by Rick McIntyre. I highly recommend that you read the prior books in this series before starting this, because they are amazing reads and so highly worth knowing the stories of the previous wolves. However, if you can't and you do pick up this book by itself, Rick does a good job of recapping important information.
This book is a wonderful celebration of the alpha female wolf and several of the outstanding female wolves whose incredible resilience in the face of hardship helped shaped the packs in Yellowstone. The Alpha female IS the true leader of the pack.
The story of the 06 Female (Oh-Six) is remarkable, she was a fierce leader, fighter, partner and mother. Her ancestors and daughters would go on to form a lasting legacy in the face of serious hardships and threats. She was truly amazing.
All of the alpha females in this book are amazing examples of never giving up, no matter what.
It isn't easy to read some of the things that wolves have to face as a result of the ultimate threat: humans, but Rick does a good job of bringing their lives forever into our hearts.
Rick's enormous lifetime of dedication to the wolves is absolutely mind blowing. He is doing such important work by keeping their stories alive. He has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of current and younger generations... as long as we keep sharing these stories.
The only way we will fight misinformation about wolves, which is purposefully out there for political and financial gain, is to keep sharing their stories.
I thank Rick so much for these stories as they have truly affected me forever. Thanks Rick.
This book is a wonderful celebration of the alpha female wolf and several of the outstanding female wolves whose incredible resilience in the face of hardship helped shaped the packs in Yellowstone. The Alpha female IS the true leader of the pack.
The story of the 06 Female (Oh-Six) is remarkable, she was a fierce leader, fighter, partner and mother. Her ancestors and daughters would go on to form a lasting legacy in the face of serious hardships and threats. She was truly amazing.
All of the alpha females in this book are amazing examples of never giving up, no matter what.
It isn't easy to read some of the things that wolves have to face as a result of the ultimate threat: humans, but Rick does a good job of bringing their lives forever into our hearts.
Rick's enormous lifetime of dedication to the wolves is absolutely mind blowing. He is doing such important work by keeping their stories alive. He has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of current and younger generations... as long as we keep sharing these stories.
The only way we will fight misinformation about wolves, which is purposefully out there for political and financial gain, is to keep sharing their stories.
I thank Rick so much for these stories as they have truly affected me forever. Thanks Rick.
May 21, 2025
I read this for the online book club of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, which has provided some of my best wildlife reads since it began in 2014. This is one of those favorites.
Just as we follow family dynasty tv series, from Dallas to The Crown to Succession — with all their high’s and low’s, joy and despair, drama and melodrama — we can do the same with animal dynasty books written by naturalists who observe them daily for years. I was so enmired in the lives of these wolves, in awe of the matriarch 06. Reminded me of my reaction to Meerkat Manor, the British documentary from the aughts that followed the dynasty of the meerkat matriarch Rose in the Kalahari Desert.
Prepare for an emotional read, not because the author pulls at your heartstrings for effect. Just because of the reality of 06 and her family.
Spoiler Alert___________
It’s very hard when 06 and 754 are killed, legally by hunters, when they stray outside of Yellowstone (the death of 06 was reported in the New York Times). They were cherished wolves who attracted countless visitors to Yellowstone, and their deaths spurred much discussion about wolf protections, hunting regulations, and hunters’ motives.
Just as we follow family dynasty tv series, from Dallas to The Crown to Succession — with all their high’s and low’s, joy and despair, drama and melodrama — we can do the same with animal dynasty books written by naturalists who observe them daily for years. I was so enmired in the lives of these wolves, in awe of the matriarch 06. Reminded me of my reaction to Meerkat Manor, the British documentary from the aughts that followed the dynasty of the meerkat matriarch Rose in the Kalahari Desert.
Prepare for an emotional read, not because the author pulls at your heartstrings for effect. Just because of the reality of 06 and her family.
Spoiler Alert___________
It’s very hard when 06 and 754 are killed, legally by hunters, when they stray outside of Yellowstone (the death of 06 was reported in the New York Times). They were cherished wolves who attracted countless visitors to Yellowstone, and their deaths spurred much discussion about wolf protections, hunting regulations, and hunters’ motives.
January 20, 2023
Many years ago, I would meet a friend and her two dogs at the dog park. Her dogs were big lumbering goofs who loved a good chase. One day, she only showed up with one dog. Turns out the dogs went out on a wander (her house backed up to woods) and ended up on the neighbor’s lawn. So the neighbor shot the dog dead. Teeny insecure man has to shoot a dog to feel big? A real POS. Plain and simple.
That’s how I feel about anyone who would shoot a collared wolf.
This book is all about the 06 Female, a smart, strong, charismatic animal that came from a long line of outstanding wolves. It talks about all the great alpha females who taught her along the way, and how she taught her daughter to take over a pack before (you guessed it) she was tragically shot even though she was collared.
06 was a rockstar. People screamed and cried when they heard she was dead. Films are made about her and songs are written about her and entire episodes of podcasts tell her story.
Yet another outstanding book on the wolves of Yellowstone. As long as Rick keeps writing them, I’ll keep reading them.
That’s how I feel about anyone who would shoot a collared wolf.
This book is all about the 06 Female, a smart, strong, charismatic animal that came from a long line of outstanding wolves. It talks about all the great alpha females who taught her along the way, and how she taught her daughter to take over a pack before (you guessed it) she was tragically shot even though she was collared.
06 was a rockstar. People screamed and cried when they heard she was dead. Films are made about her and songs are written about her and entire episodes of podcasts tell her story.
Yet another outstanding book on the wolves of Yellowstone. As long as Rick keeps writing them, I’ll keep reading them.
December 13, 2024
This book is a simple, straight narration of the drama and daily battles for life and death between wolves in Yellowstone. The premise of this book, beyond being a drama about female 06 and her family legacy, is that wolf pack dynamics revolved heavily about the decisions made by founding female members. On the one hand, duh, it seems so obvious that this would be true; on the other hand, its a nice counter narrative to naturalist writing which has historically been viewed through the lens of males being the actors and females are the passive "go along with what the dominant male does".
McIntyre's prose is very simple, plain, and matter-of-fact which serves the drama well - he doesn't need to exaggerate or embellish the stories, he just records them for what he sees and how he interprets their behavior. It takes an interesting soul to spend decades as a naturalist, spending almost every single day in the field. McIntyre is also very humble about his own interpretation and the scope of his own knowledge, despite being the individual with the most field hours logged watching wolves by a very very long shot.
McIntyre's prose is very simple, plain, and matter-of-fact which serves the drama well - he doesn't need to exaggerate or embellish the stories, he just records them for what he sees and how he interprets their behavior. It takes an interesting soul to spend decades as a naturalist, spending almost every single day in the field. McIntyre is also very humble about his own interpretation and the scope of his own knowledge, despite being the individual with the most field hours logged watching wolves by a very very long shot.
July 30, 2024
"The Alpha Female Wolf: The Fierce Legacy of Yellowstone’s 06" by Rick McIntyre, narrated by Geoff Sugiyama, is a compelling and heartfelt journey into the lives of Yellowstone’s remarkable female wolves. Sugiyama’s narration brings McIntyre’s vivid storytelling to life, making you feel as if you're right there in the wild with these incredible creatures.
The book focuses on the legendary Oh-Six, whose strength, beauty, and intelligence set her apart as one of the most famous wolves in the world. McIntyre’s detailed observations and in-depth knowledge of wolf behavior shine through, showcasing the critical role that female wolves play in their packs. From choosing mates to leading hunts and defending their families, these alpha females are true leaders.
Geoff Sugiyama's narration is exceptional. His ability to convey the emotion and drama of the wolves' lives adds an extra layer of engagement to the already fascinating story. His voice captures the essence of the wild, making the listener feel connected to the wolves and their struggles.
This audiobook is not just a biography of Oh-Six but a tribute to all the powerful female wolves of Yellowstone. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in wildlife, nature, and the intricate dynamics of wolf packs. McIntyre and Sugiyama have created a masterpiece that celebrates the resilience, intelligence, and leadership of these extraordinary animals.
The book focuses on the legendary Oh-Six, whose strength, beauty, and intelligence set her apart as one of the most famous wolves in the world. McIntyre’s detailed observations and in-depth knowledge of wolf behavior shine through, showcasing the critical role that female wolves play in their packs. From choosing mates to leading hunts and defending their families, these alpha females are true leaders.
Geoff Sugiyama's narration is exceptional. His ability to convey the emotion and drama of the wolves' lives adds an extra layer of engagement to the already fascinating story. His voice captures the essence of the wild, making the listener feel connected to the wolves and their struggles.
This audiobook is not just a biography of Oh-Six but a tribute to all the powerful female wolves of Yellowstone. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in wildlife, nature, and the intricate dynamics of wolf packs. McIntyre and Sugiyama have created a masterpiece that celebrates the resilience, intelligence, and leadership of these extraordinary animals.
September 10, 2024
Oh my heart! As always with a good book, I sat down today intending to read for an hour or so, and now it's 11pm and I find I've invested the entire day to reading this fascinating legacy. So much for anything else I intended to do today! lol.
I greatly enjoyed the author's other three books about the Yellowstone wolves and it was torture for me to wait for this one to finally come out in paperback so I could purchase it. As I hoped, I found it just as enjoyable as the other three.
This one was a lot harder for me to read, emotionally, as it had some true tragedies. But as always, McIntyre tells his stories not just laying out the facts as they happened, but also giving us inspirational moments and uplifting anecdotes. As I read I feel like he, like all of us, needs hope to continue on in his work. He includes that hope for us, his readers, as much as for himself.
I was particularly moved by the story of Aldo Leopold and his essay "Thinking Like a Mountain." I'm grateful McIntyre chose to include it in this book.
I greatly enjoyed the author's other three books about the Yellowstone wolves and it was torture for me to wait for this one to finally come out in paperback so I could purchase it. As I hoped, I found it just as enjoyable as the other three.
This one was a lot harder for me to read, emotionally, as it had some true tragedies. But as always, McIntyre tells his stories not just laying out the facts as they happened, but also giving us inspirational moments and uplifting anecdotes. As I read I feel like he, like all of us, needs hope to continue on in his work. He includes that hope for us, his readers, as much as for himself.
I was particularly moved by the story of Aldo Leopold and his essay "Thinking Like a Mountain." I'm grateful McIntyre chose to include it in this book.
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