Vicious

September 1, 2004
The many recent books written about wolves include several photographic essays depicting the wolf in its natural environment and studying the animal's habits and social characteristics. Coleman (history, Univ. of Notre Dame) takes a different approach in this volume, which began as his doctoral thesis. His study involves the history of wolves and humans in America, with a focus on the geographic area of Colonial New England. He chronicles the events, misunderstandings, and miscommunications that led early settlers to fear and destroy wolves before discussing America's shift in attitude. As a book about relationships, it includes references to the legends, folklore, and cultural differences that shaped the interaction between humans and wolves over three centuries. Coleman's witty and entertaining style will engage readers; it is well researched and documented, as one would expect in a scholarly work. Highly recommended for its literary quality and unique approach to academic and special collections. [For another cultural history about an American animal, see Mark Derr's A Dog's History of America, reviewed on p. 176.--Ed.]--Deborah Emerson, Rochester Regional Lib. Council, Fairport, NY

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2004
The sad history of the near-extermination of the wolf in North America and the later protection and reintroduction of this same alpha predator are examined in this new synthesis of history, biology, and folklore. Coleman, a historian, was attracted to the topic because the history of the colonization of North America is peppered with references to the wolf. No animal prompted as much discussion, with mention of wolves appearing in town records, local histories, legislative journals, and personal correspondence. European settlers brought their wolf lore and prejudices with them from the old country, and from this creation of the wolf as a malevolent creature came 300 years of persecution. The gradual shift in how the American public saw wolves fills a fascinating chapter, when the glamorizing of "outlaw" wolves as a ploy to further the employment of professional wolf hunters actually led to the admiration of those "outlaws" by the reading public. This heavily footnoted and concept-heavy book reveals the doctoral dissertation it grew out of, but Coleman's writing is never dry or pedantic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)