Saving the Buffalo

by Albert Marrin

The American Bison, or buffalo, was once considered the symbol of the United States. This compelling story tells how it reached the brink of extinction, and how it was saved.

Saving the Buffalo explores the astonishing fate of these huge animals. There is no simple answer to their near extinction. The interplay of natural forces and people, both Native Americans and settlers, played a critical role in the story of this American symbol.

Many thousands of buffalo roamed the Great Plains for centuries. The first Native Americans had more than 100 uses for the buffalo, but only killed as many as they needed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Albert Marrin is a historian and the author of more than twenty nonfiction books for young people. He has won various awards for his writing, including the 2005 James Madison Book Award and the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal. In 2011, his book Flesh and Blood So Cheap was a National Book Award Finalist. Marrin is the Chairman of the History Department at New York's Yeshiva University.

Reviews

[Heather Edrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about the killing of the buffalo in the 1800s and how they were saved from extinction by early conservationists. The story begins by telling why they were killed and gives information about who took part and the numbers killed. The early conservationists worked to create laws to protect the species. This would be great for world history as it took place in the 1800s and includes information about Indian tribes and settlers.

[Rachel Nabors · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great supplement for learning American history through ecology and economics. There are two ways to learn about history: reasoning about wars and politics, and reading about everything else. This book falls into the latter category, and you'll find your worldview broadened for it.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about American history.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really quite moved and saddened by the loss of the majestic animals.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short fascinating book about the buffalo and its important place in American history. I don't think there is any other animal that so influenced American ecology and people, particularly the native people. The hunting of buffalo for hides, after the beaver nearly disappeared because of the demand for its fur, reminded me of the terrible destruction of birds in Florida for their feathers. I had not known of the relationship of the railroads and the killing of buffalo. The photographs alone are worth the time to read this book -- for any age, not just children or young adults.