Reviews

Although this book begins with explanations of the buffalo's origins and how it fits into the ecology of the plains, the focus of the book is principally on the relationship that existed between humans and the buffalo and how that relationship changed over the centuries as people shifted from hunting for survival to exterminating a perceived nuisance. Barsness chronicles this relationship in minute, fascinating detail, describing thoroughly the methods for hunting the buffalo, the myriad uses to which its parts were put, the roles the animal played in Indian myth and ritual, and the efforts made to preserve the animal from extinction. A thoroughly researched, amply illustrated, and well-written treatment. Frank Schroth, Technology Training Assocs., Cambridge, Mass.