This inspiring exploration highlights wildlife species that are overcoming the odds and imparting vital lessons on cohabiting our planet. Despite the grim reality that over 900 species have vanished since industrialization, there are encouraging signs of recovery among certain animals. Bears in Italy, bison in North America, and whales in the Atlantic have rebounded from near extinction, achieving numbers once thought impossible. The author delves into the reasons behind these remarkable comebacks and the shifts in mindset they necessitated. Through engaging prose, Preston uncovers the challenges and mysteries surrounding these resurgences. He incorporates compelling narratives from researchers, Indigenous communities, and activists intimately connected to these species, creating a captivating account of how some animals reclaim their ecological roles. Each chapter—covering farms, prairies, rivers, forests, and oceans—promotes a transformative perspective on our relationship with wildlife, advocating for the necessary changes in attitude to support recovery efforts. This work exemplifies nature writing in the Anthropocene, addressing various aspects of ecological restoration, including Indigenous wisdom and rewilding initiatives. Ultimately, it serves as a roadmap and beacon of hope for a future where humans and animals can thrive together once more.
