Originally published in 1978, this classic exploration of humanity's
complex relationship with and understanding of wolves returns with a new
afterword by the author.
Humankind's relationship with the wolf is the sum of a spectrum of
responses ranging from fear to admiration and affection. Lopez's
classic, careful study has won praise from a wide range of reviewers and
improved the way books on wild animals are written. Of Wolves and Men
explores the uneasy interaction between wolves and civilization over the
centuries, and the wolf's prominence in our thoughts about wild
creatures. Drawing upon an impressive array of literature, history,
science, and mythology as well as extensive personal experience with
captive and free-ranging wolves, Lopez argues for the wolf's
preservation and immerses the reader in its sensory world, creating a
compelling portrait of the wolf both as a real animal and as imagined by
different kinds of men. A scientist might perceive the wolf as defined
by research data, while an Eskimo hunter sees a family provider much
like himself. For many Native Americans the wolf is also a spiritual
symbol, a respected animal that can strengthen the individual and the
community. With irresistible charm and elegance, Of Wolves and Men
celebrates careful scientific fieldwork, dispels folklore that has
enabled the Western mind to demonize wolves, explains myths, and honors
indigenous traditions, allowing us to understand how this remarkable
animal has become so prominent for so long in the human heart.
