Wildlife in America

If people only knew the Eden that existed before the birth of our present generation, they might yet understand what it is we are currently taking away from future generations. This book changed my life - it changed my value system. It has a place forever on my bookshelf. How one reacts to the information contained in this book says everything about ones individual character. Not only is it a sad choronology of the death and destruction of life in North America, it is a terrifying indictment on the collective psychology of mankind.

An early book by Peter Matthiessen, Wildlife in America, came out in 1959 (and with some spotty unpdating in this edition) and tells the story of America's response to its wild life over the centuries and then into the beginnings of a conservation movement and the more recent (relatively) efforts of government to protect the species particular to the American mainland and Alaska. In some ways, it becomes a list of animals that have dissappeared or are on the brink. It is very depressing but the author presents the facts and arguments in a clear fashion that captures the price of American progess on its wildlife. Despite some occasional purple prose and the new issues and arguments that have occured since, this is a very good reprint of a classic from the past.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in wildlife management or becoming a naturalist. Either this will be just another book or an turning point in your respect for wildlife, wildlife management and regulated hunting.