This is a wonderfully informative book on the lives of wild wolves. I had the privilege of visiting Yellowstone and Glacier several years ago and will never forget the wildlife we saw. But no wolves were seen, I am thankful for books like these that show the part all wildlife plays in the grand scheme of things.
This book made me cry, laugh and appreciate the time that so many people spent documenting the lives of “protected” wolves that mostly resideded within Yellowstone and am grateful that I was able to read this great book.
I was provided an advance reading e- copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to provide a review and the opinions are my own. A homerun in my opinion. All animal lovers need to read this one.

Love this book!!! Gripping read. I loved following the life of O-Six - her rise, her reign and her family.

The corporate world conducts business all over this planet and has continually disregarded the environment stretching now beyond the crisis of climate change to the certain eradication of our natural resources. Clean drinking water is increasingly becoming scarce and our wild woodlands threatened along with its endangered creatures. Enter the wolf, long-hated and feared for centuries due to myth and innuendo. Nate Blakeslee produces a riveting history of the wolf’s re-introduction to protected lands once eradicated of them. The feature story throughout this sad but fascinating book centers on its main characters, good and bad, both man and wolf. Uplifting and at times defeating, this fine work brings important focus on a subject well worth our time. The fact that congress and our bureaucracies continue to enable and sell-out to the corporate hunting and ranching industry at the cost of the treasured wolf is a travesty. Every year our government agencies, established to serve and protect us, destroy thousands of wolves on our tax dollar. There is detail galore in this book to help us learn more about the social behavior of wolf and man. And it is sad that wolves prove themselves more humane and conservative than humans are.

Have you ever been to Yellowstone? Did you spot a wolf there? This is the fascinating story of the Yellowstone Wolf Project and most especially the life story of O-Six, the great-granddaughter of one of the original wolves reintroduced to the national park in the winter of 1995.

Yellowstone had been essentially devoid of wolves for almost seven decades. Their reintroduction has not been without controversy and heated debate with the inevitable conflict between hunters, ranchers, wildlife management, and environmentalists. Nate Blakeslee delves deeply into the political wrangling and maneuvers that has gone on to decide the issue of allowing the hunting of wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

His story is most interesting when he delves into the personal stories of the people who cared so deeply for these wolves, most especially the park ranger Rick and his sidekick Laurie Lyman, a devoted wolf watcher whose notes Blakeslee relied upon for much of his story.

But the stars of the story are really the wolves themselves and most especially O-Six, a powerful gray female with attractive markings that Rick and the watchers enjoyed keeping track of as she found a mate, boldly hunted and fought off members of other packs and eventually raised three litters of pups before her own demise. The reader gets a fascinating, in-depth look at what the daily of a wolf is like: the interactions between alpha male and female and others in the pack, how they hunt, den and raise their pups, how they protect their territory from other packs, etc.

There is also the villain in the story, in the form of the hunter Steven Turnbull (name changed). The debate over whether the hunting of wolves is needed to control their numbers will probably continue but it has been decided that 'wolves belong in the Northern Rockies because they play a vital role in the ecosystem.'

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this very interesting new book.

Blakeslee's American Wolf is a carefully researched, well-written book that uses notes kept by local wolf-watchers to chronicle a multigenerational account of the return of wolves to Yellowstone, seen particularly through the incredible stories of the Druid Peak Pack and the Lamar Valley Pack. New packs form, yearlings become alphas, pups are born, clashes between rival packs establish new territories, and American Wolf is written in such a way that the reader feels they are experiencing the events along with the wolves. Or at least the wolf-watchers. As with any good documentary, American Wolf doesn't try to gloss over the harsh aspects of life as a wolf in Yellowstone- there are violent fights for prime territory, lean winters, and leadership disputes right along with the cute pups.

For me, the hard part of reading American Wolf was also in the writing. The style and brilliant narrative that make you experience the wonder of watching wolves with naturalist Rick McIntyre also means that you feel the other side of the culture clash: the hatred of hunters and ranchers in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Blakeslee has carefully researched both the personal and the political saga of wolf reintroduction and brings the reader courtroom drama fit for the movie screen as hunters, Fish and Wildlife, the state and federal government, and environmental groups fight in court. As a wolf lover, I found these scenes terribly depressing. I will also admit there were a few parts where I cried when wolves I'd been following for chapters until I felt like I knew them met up with hunters. The frustrating understanding of how environmental science and the beauty of nature are so often casualties to politics makes you feel especially helpless.

American Wolf is a rich environmental drama with a rare ability to balance a story between nature and politics, haunting emotional awe with down-to-earth practicality, love of wolves with a lack of romantic sentimentality. A difficult, must-read book for anyone interested in environmental conservation and the amazing story of wolves and their return to Yellowstone.

Wolves are truly amazing animals. I have grown up in a household that has taught me to love and appreciate wolves, largely because my mom is a huge wolf fan and therefore I am now also a fan of wolves. Thus, when I saw a book on NetGalley that boasted to tell "the enthralling story of the rise and reign of O-Six, the celebrated Yellowstone wolf, and the people who loved or feared her," I knew I had to pick it up--and I'm so glad I did!

American Wolf is an in depth telling of one of the most famous wolves of Yellowstone, referred to as O-Six, and how she survived despite many odds being stacked against her. Along with this story, however, Blakeslee also includes immense background detail on the other wolves released and raised in Yellowstone, the conflicts between hunters, wolves, and livestock, and the many wolf watchers that took part in observing O-Six's life-- along with many other wolves.

Blakeslee tells the story of O-Six in an incredibly compelling manner that at times feels more like I'm reading a fiction story about wolves than I am reading a nonfiction account of the lives of various wolves. It is apparent that Blakeslee has done much research for this book and he takes great care to provide detailed and illuminating information on this subject.

I was particularly fascinated when reading about the different behaviours displayed by O-Six and many others. I knew a somewhat decent bit about wolves coming into this, but there is so much more to learn about them. The way the packs function and how new packs are formed or destroyed is really rather remarkable. They are such fascinating animals with such distinct and familiar traits that sometimes it seemed as if I was just reading about people and royal families.

American Wolf also dives into much of the debate surrounding wolf hunting and the various political and environmental ramifications of those both for and against it, which I was pleased to see, as it helped me to better understand the entire situation. He also discusses many of the specific scientists, wolf watchers, etc. that spend so much time studying the wolves, which I also found interesting. There were a few instances in which I felt that Blakeslee went on slight tangents or just into a bit too much detail of something that wasn't quite relevant, but overall most topics seemed to fall into place with the topic of the book.

One thing that I struggled about a bit with this book was the fact that the wolves didn't have set names, but were instead referred to by numbers or descriptions (i.e. 574, 'Shy Male,'). I understand that this is because they didn't want the wolves to seem like pets, but it just made it a bit confusing at times to recall who is who. I'm not really counting that against Blakeslee, however, because that's not really his fault, but it is something that I felt I should point out.

Overall, I've given American Wolf four stars!

Let me start by saying that wolves have always fascinated me. I have a lot of wolf-themed knick knacks, posters, etc. So, this was a no-brainer of a book from Netgalley. It's also safe to say that I started out before reading this book quite pro-wolf.

This is a fascinating look back on the rise of the Yellowstone wolves and the political, economic, ecological, and emotional changes the re-introduction brought about. I certainly knew that wolves had been re-introduced to Yellowstone, but I can't say that I followed it. When I was in Yellowstone a few years back, I saw no wolves and heard no wolves. They were there, though. I've read about the ecological changes the wolves brought with them and I have heard bits and pieces about the rancher vs. wolves debate.

So, I didn't know '06 or 42 or 21 or the Lamar Valley Pack or even the Druid Peak Pack. All of the people and wolves in this book were completely new to me. I loved the stories about the wolves and their exploits. I loved reading about the wolf watchers and the wolf families and packs. I learned a bit more about wolves in general and about the interesting variations in wolf packs in Yellowstone in specific. I loved knowing how much research we can do with the wolves in Yellowstone.

And then the politics and economics became part of the story. And I learned a whole lot more. Even though I have not read the (I'm sure) thousands of pages that began the project, or the debates that must have taken place, or the comments that must have been made before this project ever got off the ground, I feel like something got missed in the translation. I am 100% for the re-introduction of wolves into the greater Yellowstone region and I think it was a hugely and importantly good thing that we did. And yet, I can't help but feel that somehow it was done with little to no understanding of the potential ramifications of the act. Maybe we've learned our lesson but somehow I doubt it.

To Turnbull I say: I'm sorry you shot '06. No, you did nothing wrong.

To the countless wolf watchers I say: Thank you. Thank you for watching, for marking the lives and loves of the Yellowstone packs. Thank you for caring and for taking such meticulous notes. Thank you for letting me come late to the party and find such wonderful life stories waiting for me.

This is a book I recommend to anyone interested in conservation, in politics, in wolves. It carefully and impressively weaves a tale of love and politics, of hardship and doubt, of failed opportunities, and hardball played with lives. I also led me to videos of the wolves so I could see them for myself. I know that when I go back to Yellowstone, I will be making a special trip to the Lamar Valley area because now I want to see the wolves.

Wolves once roamed freely throughout the United States. However, loss of habitat and fears that these animals posed a danger to people and livestock—which made them a ready target for hunters and trappers—led to their decline. However, with the rise of laws protecting endangered species, officials began considering bringing wolves back to the west. So, after a lengthy absence, these impressive animals returned to Yellowstone National Park. The reintroduction project, believed to be the most notable wildlife success in modern history, was a long time in the making.

The story actually begins over a hundred years before the 1995 event. In those days, people in charge of Yellowstone thought predators, left on their own, would decimate bighorn sheep, elk, and other prey. Since these animals were what brought visitors, protecting them was of utmost importance. To achieve this goal, officials (without realizing that predator and prey had long lived together without one adversely affecting the population of the other) instituted an order for the eradication of wolves. By the mid-1920s, there were none remaining in Yellowstone.

Unfortunately, the program did more harm than good. In the absence of predators, the population of prey animals boomed. Protective trees and shrubs were decimated, resulting in erosion; overpopulation meant starvation and illness; and animals like trout and beaver saw their habitats devastated. So, the idea that wolves could be a solution led to a plan to reintroduce canis lupus to Yellowstone. After careful debate (and taking into account the concerns of opponents), 32 wolves from Canada wearing tracking collars were released in 1995 and 1996.

The project had impressive results. By 2009, more than 1700 wolves in numerous packs lived in the northern Rocky Mountains. Ensuring that at least one individual in each pack wore a tracking collar, the project’s head biologist, Doug Smith, and his colleagues kept tabs on their charges. Individuals in diverse positions made wolf-watching a priority: Ranger Rick McIntyre, who took time from his official job of interacting with visitors to watch and carefully note his observations; wolf watchers including Doug McLoughlin and Laurie Lyman; and filmmaker Bob Landis.

As the years passed, a number of wolves became noteworthy. One of these, a female named 0-Six for the year of her birth, drew special attention. The gray wolf demonstrated hunting skills far greater than those of her pack superiors. O-Six’s search for her own mate was successful: two yearling brothers answered her call. True to her stature, she chose the more domineering suitor. Now she was an alpha female of her own pack—and 0-Six began a new chapter in the history of Yellowstone wolves by successfully bearing and raising one litter after another. Thanks to the efforts of professional and amateur wolf enthusiasts who publicized their observations via social media, the nation became familiar with the great lady. 0-Six became the queen of Yellowstone.

Nate Blakeslee’s account of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone grabs readers like a great novel. His affinity for the intelligent, social animals is evident, but it does not stand in the way of fairly presenting all sides of the restoration debate. Even if those following the story of Yellowstone’s wolves disagree with people opposing their presence in and around the park, they understand the motives behind these opponents’ views. Blakeslee tells the story with a perfect combination of the detachment of a historian and a writer who is passionate about his subject.

Readers with an interest in wildlife, environmental concerns, history, and social issues will find this detailed yet highly readable account a valuable addition to their bookshelves. American Wolf is important reading for present and future wildlife professionals, park rangers, biologists, and social activists. Even if people are not wolf aficionados when they pick up this book, they may very well be by the time they read the last page.

For some reason these very wolves and their history and hopeful future have been an ongoing topic of conversation between my husband and I. This was packed full of the knowledge we craved about the subject, along with the tidbits we didn't even know to look for.

Written in a way that felt more story than textbook, this was an easy book to read, even if the content was not simple. Not only the kind of read that drives you to learn, but also the kind that leads you to think. The best of both worlds.

When wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995 to help control the elk population, a unique opportunity arose to study these animals, how they behaved, how they mated, how they formed packs, and much much more. This is an account of that reintroduction and the subsequent years when thousands of tourists could watch through binoculars the antics of these wolves. It is also the story of the scientists who studied them and who became fond of particular wolves. Many of the wolves had names or numbers such as O-Six, White Line, 480, Black Bar, Thin Female, and 690. The packs had names too such as the Druid Peak Pack, the Crystal Creek Pack, and the Rose Creek Pack. Some of the wolves were caught, tagged, and released, so that they and/or their packs could be tracked.
Rick McIntyre worked for the National Park Service, knew these wolves better than anyone else, and was a wealth of information for author Nate Blakeslee. You also meet the hunters, the people for whom hunting was a way of life. The reader learns about the legal battles of the states surrounding Yellowstone about whether or not to make hunting legal or whether, instead, to protect the wolves that wander out of the park.
This is an amazing piece of the history of our nation and of our parks. Immensely enjoyable!

The American Wolf is a story of beauty and harshness, politics and the law, environmentalists and rancher/hunters and the wolf. By 1926 the West was devoid of all wolves and the ranchers and hunters were happy. But the wolf would not be denied his rightful place in the ecology of the West. By 1995 there was enough force to reintroduce the wolf to Yellowstone, a protected measure for the endangered species.

The book shows how the reintroduction did much for the park in terms of improving the environment for all the animals. By culling the elk and moose the grasslands grew more grass as well as aspens and willows which helped to bring small rodents and the rabbits back. The small rodents encouraged the hawks and eagles to return for better bird watching and a richer ecology. In turn making for better elk and moose specimens for the hunters.

The park is spread across three states Wyoming, Montana and Idaho making political chaos in setting reasonable hunting season and counts. The endangered species through another wrench in the mix since the animal was protected. But on the table was the agreement that should the animal leave the park and be guilty of taking cattle or other farm animals it could be shot. This lead to wolves being accused even if they were not the culprit. In addition ranchers could be compensated for losses to wolves but not other predators such as coyotes, which were the more likely villains. Leaving wolf management to the federal government resulted in no less difficulty in crafting good legislation then as now.

Great effort was made to not try to create a icon among the wolves but 0-six was to formidable to not be recognized for her beauty, skill in hunting and raising her cubs in the midst of other packs of wolves. She embodied the qualities which marked what wolves are expected to have and by that virtue she became the most well known and beloved wolf in the park. Her life was one of constant awareness of dangers to her family and leading them safely through the Lamar Valley until the day she made a fateful mistake, She left the confines of the park. Her loss was devastating to those who year after year returned to watch here magnificence and this who recorded her life for scientific purposes.

The book is one of the best told stories of the Yellowstone reintroduction project and its many successes It is extremely well documented. It provides the context for the wolves through politics, scientific research and observation in a readable story narrative.

This is the only book I have ever read twice for the pure enjoyment of rereading the book. I strongly encourage anyone who has ever been to Yellowstone or loves wolves to read this book. Its a can't miss.

This book chronicles the first years after the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park...the wolf packs and personalities...those who fought for and supported the action...those who fought it...the states and politics surrounding this decision...and the outcomes to date. It is an outstanding read. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, the animals and the writing.

This was an emotional rollercoaster. The author recounts so much information about wolf reintroduction into Yellowstone national park with the passion of both sides. Rick McIntyre is a ranger obsessed with watching and getting to know the wolves of Yellowstone which essentially become his whole life. Then you have the politics in delisting wolves from the endangered species act giving people the right to trophy hunt. The author also goes into fascinating detail on how and why the wolves are so ecologically beneficial. There is really something for everyone in here. Throughout this book I was reminded of why I loved Yellowstone so much when I got to visit and by the end I felt a deep connection to many of the wolves portrayed throughout but none more so than O-Six.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in wildlife and wish that anyone considering trophy hunting would read it.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a digital arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

No other wild animal has as much attention focused on it, as does the wolf. There are a myriad of stories, fables, commentaries, poetry, and studies that portray the wolf in many lights, some mysterious and deeply moving, some heart-rending and tender, and some in unmitigated hatred. Nate Blakeslee, in his exhaustive study of the “American Wolf,” has used extensive observation of the wolf packs in the Yellowstone area of Wyoming to form the basis of his descriptions of their lives and times.

Two National Park Service employees, Rick McIntyre and Laurie Lyman, have spent years watching the Yellowstone wolves and cataloging their lives. The pair’s meticulous notes, photographs, and learned observations of their behavior were heavily relied on by the author as the foundation for his book, augmented with interviews with wildlife officials, residents, ranchers, politicians, and legal authorities. Blakeslee has compiled a comprehensive visit into the environment of wolves including details about their life, disputes about their place in society, zealous advocacy and intense displeasure of their being, and their welcome appearance in the crosshairs of avid hunters.

The legal battles impacting the role of wolves in the environment are stories in themselves. Lawsuits, hearings, rulings, and diverse activism may comprise the yardstick that measures their future. For every action that attempts to limit the wolf population there are counter moves to ensure that no harm comes to them. Each side is fervently convinced their reasoning is sound, and politics is the game that creates the slippery slope on which they survive.

This book is extremely well written with the author using a balanced voice in presenting all sides of the debate, although his compassion for the animal is unapologetically obvious. At the same time, he presents the story of the wolf in its own beautiful and dangerous environment, complete with its instinctive family orientation. His scenic backgrounds fill the reader’s mind with the allure of the Western Rockies and his descriptions of the wolves’ apprehension and the sheer delight while freely roaming their territory are heartening and a joy to read.

As a lifelong lover of the natural world, a frustrated naturalist with old legs, I heartily recommend this book as a near work of art, as close as one can get to truly enjoying our great outdoors and its creatures without actually going there.

The gripping and moving true tale of the Yellowstone wolves, told through the rise and fall of an alpha female and her pack. Parts of the narrative almost read like fiction. Blakeslee does an excellent job of presenting the politics and opinions surrounding the reintroduction program in an impartial manner, although I think the lesson to be learned here is that human interference can never truly replicate nor re-calibrate nature's delicate system of checks and balances once we've upset it.

Being a Wildlife Biology major, this book really spoke to me and made me long for my days in the woods studying the animals. This book really draws you in, and you develop a relationship with the wolves. This is a piece of work as important to the world as Aldo Leopold's Thinking Like a Mountain.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1995913939