Return of the Bison: A Story of Survival, Restoration, and a Wilder World

Although I spent most of my career in wildlife conservation, I do not have a special interest or expertise in the history of bison management. I received this book as a gift, and found it to be incredibly informative, readable, and thoroughly researched and documented. It tells the story of the near extermination of bison in the United States, but it is not depressing as books about wildlife tend to be. The book describes decades of frustrating but sometimes successful efforts on the part of many characters to restore bison to their natural habitat. Although I was familiar with the resistance of states like Montana to allow bison to leave Yellowstone, I was not familiar with the studies that show clearly that elk are more likely to spread disease than bison. It reinforces the sad fact that so many conservation decisions are made for such stupid reasons. I learned so much more about bison. For example, I had no idea that there are native bison in Europe, and that there are parallel efforts to restore them as well. After reading Return of the Bison, I purchased two more copies for friends, who also report enjoying the book and learning so much - not just about bison, but about the history of conservation in America. Everyone who is involved, or just interested in conservation will want to read this book.

Well written and researched

I bought this book because I'm familiar with the consummate writing skills of Roger Di Silvestro and wanted to read his latest book.I found it engrossing and could not put it down. I highly recommend it. If you have any interest in wildlife, this is a must-read book.While appealing to a general audience, it should also be required reading in any classes in schools and colleges which deal with wildlife or conservation.Because Native-Americans depended on the bison for survival, the American government in the 19th century targeted bison for extermination as a way to solve the "Indian question." It is a shameful episode in our history.I urge you to do yourself a favor and read this pellucid, luminous, and brilliant book. I've rarely come across a book based on such meticulous, in-depth research, and yet is such a compelling read.

Roger DiSilvestro's RETURN OF THE BISON is a riveting read on an important topic – lessons learned from the near extinction of these incredible animals and attempts to restore them to their native habitat.Highlights for me were learning about Theodore Roosevelt's role in preserving bison (from starting as an avid hunter), the personal stories of many of the early players (including fascinating descriptions written at that time and excerpted in the book), the creation of the national zoo in Washington, D.C., and Ted Turner's massive bison operation on the second largest tract of private land in the U.S.Roger includes a section at the end listing places where you can view bison up close and personal, including Yellowstone National Park that features prominently in bison history. I had the good fortune of seeing bison on Catalina Island during a jeep tour (pictured in photo), and it was thrilling – highly recommend adding that to your "bucket list."I'll close with these two quotes from the book:"Protecting and restoring large aggregations of animals is one of wildlife conservation's greatest challenges today. Large herding mammals are among the most vulnerable animals on the planet.""We should never give up. The bison shows that a species reduced from millions to a few hundred can stage a comeback."

I can't say I am unbiased, knowing Roger, but I will say, he is extremely dedicated to Wildlife restoration and preservation. He is the author of a number of books, and articles of this genera and always they are meticulous, comprehensive and most importantly engagingly informative. Like so many Americans the story of the demise and the hopeful promise of restoration of the Bison is almost a must to learn about. It is a well researched book and a romantic thread in the tapestry of being a North American. Moreover for international set, there is dedicated chapter on history and restoration of the Wiscent which is Europe's version of the Bison. Roger's book will serve as a scholarly resource but also engaging for generations to come.

Moving from Montana to Virgina I saw a huge difference in knowledge about Bison. In Montana I visited ranges where bison roamed and bought bison beef, lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol than cow beef and more delicious. In Montana the stores were all featuring bison beef and even beefalo or cattalo (a cow-buffalo hybrid), but back here in Virginia the only place I could find was the Virginia Bison Company in Culpeper, VA. which you mention in your book on page 92, highlighting the difference between east coast bison ranchers and those out west, suggesting that if east coast ranchers would switch to bison, they would “prosper financially” (page 207). I am sure east coast folks reading your book will feel at a loss not being able to walk into a store and buy bison beef or take the family out to see bison roaming without going several hundred miles, a wakeup call to east coast bison ignorance. Having visited Yellowstone National Park on three occasions, I wish I had read your book before going and learning the importance of the Yellowstone herds, especially keeping bison’s genetic diversity. Your paragraph on the book’s cover, “A Story of Survival, Restoration, and a Wilder World,” says a lot about our world today, a lesson we can take, not only from bison, but for the survival of our human race.