This timely book presents in one cohesive account the past, present, and future of America's wildlife, embedded in the rich context of American history, moral attitudes, political maneuverings, and finally, grave concern. In this true "state of the species," Robert McClung documents the fate of extinct and endangered species and American conservation efforts from Revolutionary times right up to the global eco-politics of today. The extermination of Steller's sea cow, the passenger pigeon, the sea mink, and other extinct species sets the stage for the heyday of the animal slaughter of the 1880s. Plains bison, wapiti, pronghorn, and others were nearly wiped out -- saved only the the fledgling conservation movement. Mr. McClung details the genesis of wildlife management, government control (or lack of it), the powerful nonprofit groups, the formation of parks and preserves, and the ecology movement. Simultaneously he recounts, in individual biographies, the evolving fate of whales, other marine mammals, land mammals, birds, fish, and butterflies. For the human animal, Mr. McClung can only speculate. - Jacket flap.