Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America

BEAVERLAND is a narrative science writing book that highlights the beaver's oversized role in American history and its future. It follows fur trappers, traders, auctioneers, wildlife managers, PETA activists, Native American environmental vigilantes, scientists, engineers, and activists known as "beaver believers." It traces the beaver's influence on the nation's early economy and western expansion, its first corporations and multi-millionaires, and introduces us to people devoted to the beaver.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

From the acclaimed pen of Leila Philip, BEAVERLAND emerges as a masterful exploration of narrative science writing, a captivating book that delves into the enigmatic role of this peculiar rodent in shaping American history and its destiny. Through a seamless blend of historical narratives and contemporary storytelling, Philip highlights the extraordinary significance of the beaver in our nation's past and present.

Following the footsteps of fur trappers navigating treacherous waters, she immerses readers in the world of fur traders and auctioneers, as well as wildlife managers, PETA activists, Native American environmental vigilantes, scientists, engineers, and the vibrant community of beaver believers.

Philip's journey begins with the early trans-Atlantic trade in North America, tracing the profound influence of the beaver on the nation's early economy and relentless western expansion. She unveils the inception of the first corporations and the rise of multi-millionaires, all fueled by the invaluable contributions of this remarkable animal.

In her pursuit of this peculiar and wondrous creature, Philip introduces us to individuals whose lives are dedicated to the beaver. Among them is a Harvard scientist from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, who employs drones to create breathtaking 3-dimensional images of beaver dams. Another is an environmental restoration consultant in the Chesapeake, affectionately known as the "beaver whisperer," who works tirelessly to restore beaver habitats and preserve their ecological significance.

What unfolds is a poignant personal narrative, a startling portrayal of the secretive world of the contemporary fur trade, and an engrossing ecological and historical investigation of these heroic animals. Once trapped to the brink of extinction, the beaver has emerged as one of the greatest conservation stories of the 20th century, reclaiming its rightful place in the landscape.

Beautifully written and meticulously researched, BEAVERLAND unveils the profound ways in which one odd creature and the trade surrounding it have shaped history, culture, and our environment. This captivating book serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of preserving our natural heritage for generations to come.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 236 x 162 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538755198