The Real Wolf: The Science, Politics, and Economics of Co-Existing with Wolves in Modern Times

by Ted B. Lyon, Will N. Graves

How have thriving elk populations of thousands dwindled to mere hundreds in just a matter of years? Author Ted B. Lyon asserts the wolf is at fault. He also blames the wolf for the rampant spread of infectious diseases among livestock populations and the decimation of wild deer, moose, sheep, and domestic animals alike. A trial lawyer with over 37 years of litigation experience, Lyon proves his case in The Real The Science, Politics, and Economics of Co-Existing with Wolves in Modern Times . In this detailed yet easy-to-read essay collection, authors Ted B. Lyon and Will N. Graves investigate the majesty and myths surrounding wolves in the United States and offer a new, true picture of the wolf in contemporary America. The Real Wolf is an in-depth study of the impact wolves as a federally protected species have had on big game and livestock populations. Each chapter in the book is meticulously researched and written by authors and scientists who have spent years studying wolves and wolf behavior. Contributing authors Rob Arnaud, Dr. Arthur Bergerud, Karen Budd-Falen, Jess Carey, Dr. Matthew A. Cronin, Dr. Valerius Geist, Don Peay, Laura Schneberger, Heather Smith-Thomas, and Cat Urbigkit each describe a unique aspect of the wolf in the United States. The Real Wolf does not call for the eradication of wolves from the United States, but rather advocates a new system of species management that would allow wolves, game animals, and farmers to live in harmony.

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2014

Reviews

[Clayton Reese · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is utter dumbfounding foolishness. If you want to read about wolves and be informed, read something like "Of Wolves and Men" by Barry Lopez or better yet David L. Mech's excellent works like "Wolves: Behavior, Ecology and Conservation". This book is essentially a bunch of over-hyped gripes, straight bending of truth and opinion being juxtaposed as "truth". As an Idaho native I find this book garbage and indicative that this state is chock full of fools like Ted B. Lyon (Or as I call him, 'Ted Be Lyin'.')

[Dc · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so refreshing to read a book on wolves that is “non PC” and is reflective of the experience that grassroots folks like me actually have with wolves. Experiential facts instead of possibly biased public sentiment manufactured by media influence and conflicts-of-interest strewn public-funded research. I routinely encounter wolves on and off my property and see their impacts on our local Upper Michigan deer herd. There are consequences to the increased unmanaged wolf population that the public rarely hears about, in part because it just is ignored by the media. Also, little authoritative biases have big impacts on perceptions. For example, the Michigan DNR does not fully disclose the statistical results of their wolf population studies and reports only the lower end of their confidence interval results. Wisconsin is starting to do the same thing — they used to report the full statistical picture on the likely wolf population and that went out the door with their latest announcement.

[Heart DeCoupeville · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a word, garbage.

In four words, rancher and hunter propaganda.

[Mark Binsted · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is antipredator rhetoric at its worst. This book should be listed as fiction. The worst book Ive ever tried to read.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Settlers and ranchers hunted these apex predators for a reason. In recent years misguided pro-animal activists have been instrumental in having larger Canada wolves relocated to the Rocky Mountain states where they were protected by Federal law until their numbers are out of control. This book is a must read if you want to understand the impact these wanton killers are having on our wildlife and domestic animals.