In American Buffalo, Steven Rinella tells the story of his lifelong obsession with one of North America’s most iconic animals: the buffalo. From early childhood dreams of stalking and killing a bison in Yellowstone National Park to adult quests to understand their ecology and character, Rinella has pursued these animals with passion and purpose. American Buffalo is both an intense personal narrative about nature and outdoor adventure, as well as a broader examination of natural history and the Western hunting tradition. It describes the ways in which humans have shaped buffalo populations across millenniaand how our innate spiritual connection to these creatures has been reinvigorated by hunters seeking them out for sport today. In pursuing buffalo around North Americajourneying from Florida to AlaskaRinella finds himself face-to-face with rattlesnakes, grizzlies, pronghorn antelope, feral horses Sara Palin fanaticsBrand X deranged killersbut also manages some transcendent moments while enjoying close encounters with this majestic animal.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for those who are interested in nature, outdoor adventure, and the Western hunting tradition.
Pros :
- Rinella has a unique, personal perspective on buffalo
- He weaves together natural history and hunting traditions expertly
- The book is well written and engaging
Cons :
- The author’s obsession with buffalo may be interesting to some readers, but it can also be seen as a distraction from the main points of the book.
- Rinella’s writing style is often dense and difficult to follow, especially for those who are not already familiar with hunting terms and ecological concepts.
- The chapters about Rinella’s interactions with other hunters (both professional guides and fanatic amateurs) tend to be more entertaining than the ones that focus on his research into buffalo ecology
Learn more about the author
Steven Rinella is the author of American Buffalo and Meat Eater, which was named one of the Ten Best Books of 2010 by Outside magazine. A contributing editor at Bloomberg Businessweek, he has written for The Atlantic, Harper’s Magazine, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Sports Afield,” “and other publications. He is also the host of the television show MeatEater on Sportsman Channel.
Reader Reviews
“Rinella’s writing is, in a word, superb: educated but unpretentious; lyrical without being precious. The mix of outdoor adventure and natural history here is pitch perfect.”
“Rinella’s love of hunting and respect for the animal shine through on every page, making this book a true pleasure to read. Highly recommended.”
“In American Buffalo, Steven Rinella manages to weave together natural history, outdoor adventure and personal obsession into a work that is both highly entertaining and intellectually engaging. Anyone with an interest in wild things or Western hunting traditions will find much to appreciate in this book.”
“It’s all in there, the bison himself and his human admirers. I read it cover-to-cover in two days. Couldn’t put it down.”