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Animal Series
Bison
Stoic, regal, and formidable in size and strength, the bison has long epitomized the American West. Perhaps this is even more so because we have, in our avarice, nearly destroyed them all, and are now seeking to restore their populations. From spiritual figure to abused resource to powerful symbol of wildlife preservation, the bison is a microcosm of the West itself, and in this book, renowned zoologist Desmond Morris tells its fascinating story from the first evidence of its fossil record two million years ago all the way up to today.
Exploring the bison’s evolution and habitat, Morris paints a nuanced portrait of this iconic animal, exploring the different sides of its personality. He shows that, while generally seen as gentle and calm, bison in fact are very unpredictable, liable to attack at any moment. Comparing and contrasting the two remaining species―the European wisent and the American bison―he goes on to tell the heartbreaking story of their near-extinction, how we hunted them down from innumerable numbers to less than a thousand, with such little regard that it was a common practice for train travelers to shoot them from their passing cars. He also tells the story of our more recent efforts―and successes―at bringing them back to such a point that their domestically raised meat has now become a popular alternative to beef. Throughout, Morris balances this natural history with a cultural one, the lore of the bison and the spirit of the west, dotting his text with vibrant images of the bison from nature, art, and popular culture. The result is an absorbing history of one of the most majestic creatures to walk the plains of the earth.
Exploring the bison’s evolution and habitat, Morris paints a nuanced portrait of this iconic animal, exploring the different sides of its personality. He shows that, while generally seen as gentle and calm, bison in fact are very unpredictable, liable to attack at any moment. Comparing and contrasting the two remaining species―the European wisent and the American bison―he goes on to tell the heartbreaking story of their near-extinction, how we hunted them down from innumerable numbers to less than a thousand, with such little regard that it was a common practice for train travelers to shoot them from their passing cars. He also tells the story of our more recent efforts―and successes―at bringing them back to such a point that their domestically raised meat has now become a popular alternative to beef. Throughout, Morris balances this natural history with a cultural one, the lore of the bison and the spirit of the west, dotting his text with vibrant images of the bison from nature, art, and popular culture. The result is an absorbing history of one of the most majestic creatures to walk the plains of the earth.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2015
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About the author
Desmond Morris
237 books571 followersDesmond John Morris (born 24 January 1928) is an English zoologist, ethologist and surrealist painter, as well as a popular author in human sociobiology. He is known for his 1967 book The Naked Ape, and for his television programmes such as Zoo Time.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 23, 2016
A nice change of pace from other bison books on the market. This clear, short, and heavily illustrated book reflects Morris's interest in art, human behavior, and zoology. Given Morris's British background, it's unsurprising that his book is nearly as focused on European bison as it is on American bison.
Unfortunately, one of the few stories I wanted more details about as I read the book—a claim that some Viking helmets used bison horns after all—turned out to be a hoax. That Morris didn't factcheck it made me a bit less enthusiastic about the rest of the book.
Still, as a lovely afternoon read on your road trip to Great Plains (or to see Poland's bison!), I'd recommend it. And if you're drawn to bison art and images, this is likely your best bet. (The paper and image quality is excellent.) But I wouldn't put it above Dale Lott's American Bison: A Natural History—one of the best-written nature books I've ever read. (David Dary's outdated 1974 Buffalo Book: The Full Saga Of The American Animal is still pretty great too, but where Morris privileges brevity, Dary aimed to be comprehensive. Great stories, but you'll get tired of them.)
Unfortunately, one of the few stories I wanted more details about as I read the book—a claim that some Viking helmets used bison horns after all—turned out to be a hoax. That Morris didn't factcheck it made me a bit less enthusiastic about the rest of the book.
Still, as a lovely afternoon read on your road trip to Great Plains (or to see Poland's bison!), I'd recommend it. And if you're drawn to bison art and images, this is likely your best bet. (The paper and image quality is excellent.) But I wouldn't put it above Dale Lott's American Bison: A Natural History—one of the best-written nature books I've ever read. (David Dary's outdated 1974 Buffalo Book: The Full Saga Of The American Animal is still pretty great too, but where Morris privileges brevity, Dary aimed to be comprehensive. Great stories, but you'll get tired of them.)
Displaying 1 of 1 review