Bison

by Morris, Desmond

Type Book

Rate 0.0 /5

Details

Files

Reviews

Download

Title Statements

Full title :Bison / Desmond Morris.

Summary

"Stoic, regal and formidable in both size and strength, the bison has long epitomized the American West. From Native American spiritual figure to abused resource to powerful symbol of wildlife preservation, the bison is a microcosm of the West itself, and in this book, renowned zoologist Desmond Morris tells its fascinating story from the first evidence of its fossil record two million years ago to today. Exploring the evolution and habitat of the two remaining species -- the European wisent and the American bison -- this book shows that, while generally seen as gentle and calm, bison in fact are very unpredictable, liable to attack at any moment. Bison once ranged across the Great Plains of North America in vast herds, and at the beginning of the nineteenth century they numbered in the tens of millions. Humans were responsible for the bison's near extinction in North America, slaughtering an estimated 50 million and reducing the bison population to less than 1,000 by 1890. However, recent efforts at bringing them back have succeeded, and domestically raised meat has now become a popular alternative to beef in the U.S. Throughout 'Bison', natural history is balanced with cultural history: the result is an absorbing story of one of the most majestic creatures to walk the earth."--Back cover

Edition Statements

Publication Date:©2015

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):Reaktion Books Ltd
Place of Publication:London
Language:eng
Publication Date:©2015

The Physical Object

Description:198 pages : : illustrations, photographs (chiefly color) ; : 20 cm

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:9781780234243, 1780234244
oclc:ocn891612774
LC Classification:QL737.U53
Dewey Decimal:599.643

Introduction -- Prehistoric Bison -- Bison in European History -- Bison in American History -- Bison as Food -- Bison as Emblems -- Bison as a Visual Image -- Bison as Companions -- Bison Evolution -- Bison in Natural History -- Bison in Films -- Close Relatives of the Bison -- Bison Hybrids -- Timeline -- References -- Select Bibliography -- Associations and Websites -- Photo Acknowledgements -- Index.

Subjects

Animals and civilization Animaux et civilisation Bison Bison -- Conservation Bison -- Ecology Bison -- Evolution Bison -- History Bison -- In motion pictures Bison -- Mythology Bison -- Popular works Bison -- Social aspects Bison -- Symbolic aspects Bison in art Bisons Bisons -- Aspect social Bisons -- Aspect symbolique Bisons -- Au cinéma Bisons -- Conservation Bisons -- Écologie Bisons -- Évolution