Buffalo for the Broken Heart: Restoring Life to a Black Hills Ranch [B1098]

2001 HCDJ in nice clean condition. For twenty years Dan O'Brien struggled to make ends meet on his cattle ranch in South Dakota. But when a neighbor invited him to lend a hand at the annual buffalo roundup, O'Brien was inspired to convert his own ranch, the Broken Heart, to buffalo. Starting with thirteen calves, "short-necked, golden balls of wool," O'Brien embarked on a journey that returned buffalo to his land for the first time in more than a century and a half. Buffalo for the Broken Heart is at once a tender account of the buffaloes' first seasons on the ranch and an engaging lesson in wildlife ecology. Whether he's describing the grazing pattern of the buffalo, the thrill of watching a falcon home in on its prey, or the comical spectacle of a buffalo bull wallowing in the mud, O'Brien combines a novelist's eye for detail with a naturalist's understanding to create an enriching, entertaining narrative.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Wildlife biologist, rancher, writer starts an adventure to raise buffalo and restore his ranch to native grasslands. Really enjoyed his writing and admired his connection to the Dakota lands I love."; "This was such a good read! Dan brings the prairie to life, its fruitfulness and the struggles it brings. He is so honest and authentic in his descriptions and interactions, it really makes you feel as if you're listening to his story while on his back porch looking out at the herd. This is not my usual type of read, however I devoured this book."; "Extremely interesting and hopeful. I've just finished it for a third time (over a few years). It keeps me thinking about the history of the land, our natural relationship with it and what I can do to do to help us return to a similar 'balance'. And aside from that, it is just a great read as Dan tells a fantastic story!"; "Proper land stewardship. This book highlights the importance of paying attention to ecosystems and doing our best to not upset natural systems in embarking on our various endeavors. We can do it."