Navigation

Veterinary Medicine Books

CHRISTOFFERSON, April. Buffalo medicine. Tor. 373p. c2004. 0-765-34419-X. $799. SA

Written by an author who is a lawyer with a background in veterinary medicine, this tale of the clash of ranchers and environmentalists in Montana is frightening and believable. The main character is Jed, a veterinarian working near Yellowstone Park, whose main clients are the ranchers. He is also independently doing research, trying to develop a vaccine for a virus to which the cattle are susceptible. Ranchers are furious about the presence of bison and wolves in the park and are trying to preserve their own way of life. They see the environmentalists as enemies, so when Jed's research stymies their plans to blame the bison for infecting their cattle, they will do anything to stop him. Jed, who has been on the side of the ranchers and in fact is engaged to a woman who is one of the most influential ranchers in the community, slowly becomes converted to the environmentalists' point of view. The final showdown is gripping, especially for those readers who would be horrified at the thought of mass slaughter of all the bison in Yellowstone Park.

This is an adult book, with swearing that is realistic for the amount of anger and frustration among the characters. It will certainly be of interest to YAs familiar with the seemingly endless conflicts in the West that center around land use. It's a good story that puts the reader in the midst of a struggle larger than the individuals involved in the plot. Claire Rosser, KLIATT

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kliatt
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group