Tony and the Cows: A True Story from the Range Wars

This book explores what happens if you take envrionmental zeal to the extreme, while also laying out the reasons why caring for the earth is a critical concern. The author is looking for a middle way between thoughtless corporate resource extraction and armed assaults by protectors of nature. His story is about a local Sierra Club president and loner, who, based on the evidence available, decides to shoot 32 cows grazing on public land in New Mexico in an effort to rid the landscape of exotic species. Mr. Baker explores the literary and societal roots of environmental activism and the development of the view of "nature" prevalent in our society. There are so many actions being taken today that reflect the conflict between our consumer culture and the preservation of the natural world. Deciding how resources are to be used is essential to our survivial and this book looks very closely and very critically at the issue. It is a mind opener, and could certainly offend true believers on both sides. A must read for our times.