American Serengeti

The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains

By: Dan Flores

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

America's Great Plains once possessed one of the grandest wildlife spectacles of the world, equaled only by such places as the Serengeti, the Masai Mara, or the veld of South Africa. Pronghorn antelope, gray wolves, bison, coyotes, wild horses, and grizzly bears: less than 200 years ago these creatures existed in such abundance that John James Audubon was moved to write "it is impossible to describe or even conceive the vast multitudes of these animals". In a work that is at once a lyrical evocation of that lost splendor and a detailed natural history of these charismatic species of the historic Great Plains, veteran naturalist and outdoorsman Dan Flores draws a vivid portrait of each of these animals in their glory - and tells the harrowing story of what happened to them at the hands of market hunters and ranchers and, ultimately, a federal killing program in the 19th and 20th centuries.

©2016 The University Press of Kansas (P)2017 Tantor

Should have been read by the author

I struggled to finish. The content is awesome, but the narrator just killed it for me. I learned of this book from a podcast and it would have been 5/5 if Dan Flores had actually read it.

Great book, boring narration.

This was a very informative book, the perfect companion to Coyote America. The choice of narrator was the dumbest choice possible. Dry, boring and if moved to higher playback speeds it is really hard to listen to. Far too monotone.

I love it (with reservations).

This is a great book. I’ve followed Dan’s career for a long time as an amateur, interested in his work. I grew up in and still own a ranch on the plains of the Texas panhandle. He’s the best of the best when it comes to great plains pre-history. I don’t personally agree with a lot of his opinions on current conservation but have a lot of respect his scientific work and knowledge on the subject.

Incredible Story of What Once Was

If you're at all interested in nature and wildlife, you will love this book. Dan provides an incredibly well-researched view into what the Great Plains were like not that long ago, and it's astounding.

Informational and hopeful

This book is amazing. Lots of exciting information to digest. Good descriptions of the plains and wildlife. Very sad at time. But also gives hope for the future of the plaines.

informstive and provocative

Soothing history of our natural wildlife we came near to destroying and plans on how to get it restored .

Good history lesson

Good storyline that more people need to know. Very good historical story that fun to learn about

Ecological history done right

The Great Plains of the early United States was a place of ecological wonders. This book is a wonderful telling of its history, where it is now, and where it could be.

If you daydream about setting out West with Lewis and Clark, or about hunting bison with American Indians, this book is for you. Relive the majesty of the Plains and learn about the current efforts to bring back its former glory.

An in depth study of the Great Plains

I enjoyed this book but the first couple of chapters had me wondering if I had made a good selection. The narrator was at first a little monotone and sounded like a history teacher giving a long boring lecture. At some point early on he loosened up and the subject matter started to flow more easily. I really enjoyed the chapters focusing on each of the major plains animals, so much interesting info packed into each one. Great book that opened my eyes to the amazing history of our Great Plains and a new appreciation for and desire to preserve and re-wild it for future generations.

great book, very informative

very very informative, great info on all subjects of the past and future of the American serengeti. will listen to it again for sure!