Mountain Lion [Paperback]

Chris Bolgiano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Mountain lion, panther, puma: whatever the name, this powerful big cat has inspired both fear and reverence in the minds of Americans. Chris Bolgiano traces the compelling history of this elusive creature, focusing on its interactions with human beings throughout the years. Now available in paperback, this book offers a concise natural history of the mountain lion, a fascinating discussion of the mythological significance of the animal to Native Americans and early white settlers, and insight into the culture of lion hunting. Other highlights include the lore of panther sightings in the Northeast and analysis of the puma's new role as a symbol of the wilderness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Texas, Puma concolor (mountain lion, cougar, puma, panther) is still a "varmint"; no laws govern its killing. Elsewhere, hunting is tightly regulated, and California bans sport hunting of the genus. Mountain lions are not officially listed as endangered in the West. Bolgiano, a freelance writer specializing in wildlife and forestry, gives a compelling account of the interaction between lions and people from precolonial times to the present. She hunts lions (with her camera) in Utah and accompanies wildlife biologists who study lions in Wyoming and New Mexico. In both sport hunting and research, lions are tracked by dogs (except in the desert, where trackers use snares). Bolgiano notes that biological data are sparse and local. Among the topics she covers are sightings in the East, attacks on humans (rare) and the captive breeding and reintroduction of the Florida panther. This is instructive reading for wildlife and wilderness enthusiasts.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Mountain lion, puma, cougar, panther: all are names given to the New World's own big cat, which ranges from Canada to Patagonia and is powerful both physically and in its ability to embed itself in the myths and legends of every culture it encounters. Writing from a cultural perspective, Bolgiano, author of numerous wildlife articles, traces the big cat's interactions with humans in North America, thus the (questionable) use of "unnatural history" in the title. She describes the range of human reaction to the puma, from the respect and reverence of Native Americans to the hatred of ranchers to the current fascination with the cat as the symbol of the wilderness. Bolgiano also covers the attempts to restore the endangered Florida panther, the meaning of the frequent cougar sightings in the Northeast, and her excursion into the life of a professional puma hunter. This sometimes sad, always fascinating book is graced by Bolgiano's clear, melodious prose. Highly recommended for libraries of all levels.?Lynn C. Badger, Univ. of Florida Lib., Gainesville
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811728676
• ISBN-13: 978-0811728676
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,319,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have read about a wildlife species., March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mountain Lion (Hardcover)

This is Ms Bolgiano's first book. I happened to read her second book, The Appalachian Forest, first. I liked that book so much, I had to try this one. I am glad I did.

Ms Bolgiano is both a thorough and accurate researcher and an excellent writer. The text of Mountain Lion benefits greatly from both these talents. It is clear that the author traveled widely and spent much time and money in gaining a deep and expansive understanding of cougars and their dealings with our species before writing Mountain Lion.

Once she started writing, Ms Bolgiano wove a tale of this most illusive and truly wild of our wildlife species that is fascinating and a real joy to read. I have only a short time each day to read. I repeatedly found myself looking forward to my daily reading time as I read this book. Finally, I sacrificed large sections of a few nights of sleep and devoured and gorged until I came to the final page. Once done, I mourned the fact that it was over.

To anyone who has even a tiny interest in wild creatures and how we interact with them, I recommend Mountain Lions most highly. It is like taking a tour of a large portion of our land and gaining a much deeper understanding of the people and wildlife of each area. Equally beneficial, one comes to a better knowledge of and a deeper respect for our great, wild, American cat. Reading Mountain Lions, An Unnatural History of Pumas and People, is time extremely well spent.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you will be proud to own, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mountain Lion (Hardcover)

Mountain Lion was a wonderful book to read. I had been looking everywhere for a comprehensive book or video on the Mountian Lion of North America and I feel I have hit the jackpot. This book tells you "everything you ever wanted to know" about the Mountain Lion and more. From it's origins and how it relates to Natives all the way to it's current situation. Chris Bolgiano writes with a sympathetic eye and makes you realize how important preservation is not only for the Mountain lion and other animals but for humans too. She speaks about Mountain Lion sightings in places where logging and building houses have eliminated the big cat from these areas. She feels people still see sightings because of their phycological need for wilderness. She made me think more about preservation and the importance of saving our wilderness. I would recommend this great book for any Cat and Animal lovers out there. It could also be interesting for conservationists and anybody who is active or interested in enviromental issues.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyric writing and hard facts combined, June 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mountain Lion (Hardcover)

The reader can tell that a great deal of research went into this book. It is also obvious that the author loves and respects her subject. If a myth about this animal needs to be broken she does so- but graciously. It was especially hard to read about the state of the Florida panther and how they are now so inbred it really is better to bring in the Texas animals to breed. Most of all it is Bolgiano's writing that carries the book- wave after wave of clear, precise prose.