American Buffalo

In American Buffalo, Steven Rinella embarks on an enthralling journey through the heart of the American wilderness, capturing the spirit of adventure and the rugged beauty of the frontier. His quest begins in 2005, when a stroke of luck grants him a rare lottery permit to hunt wild buffalo in the vast, untamed expanse of Alaska. What follows is an epic tale of survival and discovery, where Rinella faces formidable challenges, from battling hypothermia to evading the menacing presence of grizzly bears. Undeterred, he manages to conquer the harsh elements and achieve the seemingly impossible: hunting and transporting a buffalo through snow-covered mountains. This adventure becomes a deep exploration of the buffalo's profound impact on American life and history.

As Rinella navigates his way through this captivating expedition, he offers readers an insightful look into the storied past of the American buffalo, an emblematic creature intertwined with the tapestry of the nation's development. Through his eyes, we journey across time and place—from the ancient Bering Land Bridge to Native American buffalo jumps, where entire herds were driven over cliffs in staggering numbers, and from the industrial bustle of the Detroit Carbon Works to the chic corridors of Manhattan's Meatpacking District. There, even a once-ill-fated buffalo named Black Diamond played a significant role, inspiring the design for the iconic buffalo nickel after meeting his end.

This compelling narrative goes beyond the mere recounting of a hunt; it offers an exploration of the buffalo's pervasive imprint on American culture and psyche. With meticulous research, Rinella artfully weaves historical narratives with personal reflections, providing rich insights into the evolution of human interaction with this majestic beast. He delves into the environmental and economic forces that have shaped the buffalo's journey and, in doing so, unveils America’s changing landscape over millennia.

Acknowledged for its literary depth and breathtaking narrative, American Buffalo has earned acclaim as both an environmental touchstone and a historical examination. Its accolades include recognition as a Best Book of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle and the prestigious Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. Rinella's work is a brilliant synthesis of outdoor adventure and philosophical musing, reflecting on what the buffalo’s fate tells us about our own identities and aspirations as a nation. For anyone intrigued by history, wildlife, or the enduring call of the wild, this book serves as a profound and engaging reflection on the legacy of one of America's most revered creatures.