Mary Zeiss Stange Book order

The history of hunting, from Stone Age hunter-gatherers to today's sport hunters.Hunting has a long history, beginning with our hominid ancestors. The invention of the spear allowed early humans to graduate from scavenging to actual hunting. The famous cave paintings at Lascaux show a meticulous knowledge of animal behavior and anatomy that only a hunter would have. This volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series traces the evolution of hunting, from Stone Age hunting and gathering to today's regulated sport hunting.Humans have been hunting since we became human--but did hunting make us human? The authors consider and question the "hunting hypothesis of human origins," noting that according to this theory, "hunting" meant hunting by men. They explore hunting in the Stone Age and how, beginning some ten thousand years ago, the spread of agriculture led to the emergence of empires and attempts by elites to monopolize hunting. They examine the democratization of hunting in the American colonies and how hunters decimated, but then, in the twentieth century, rallied to save game animals from extinction. They describe how some European and postcolonial societies have managed wildlife and hunting, consider the difficulties of living with abundant wildlife--even as many nongame species are disappearing--and trace the implications of the increasing participation of women in hunting for the future of hunting.

The collection showcases the unique perspectives of 46 female hunters, revealing that women have long engaged in both hunting and storytelling. These writers, ranging from realists to naturalists, explore the intricate emotions and thoughts surrounding the act of hunting, highlighting both subtle and striking differences in their approaches. Acknowledging their unconventional roles, the contributors deliver narratives rich in intelligence and insight, making this anthology a compelling read for anyone who values well-crafted stories.

Stange's story of running a bison ranch with her husband in southeastern Montana is a narrative of survival in a landscape and a society at once harsh and alluring. Her vivid, naturalistic stories explore the myths and realities of ranch life in modern America, and examine the complex relationships that comprise life in the rural West today.