Dan Flores

Dan Flores is an American historian and writer specializing in environmental and cultural history of the American West. He served as the A.B. Hammond Professor of Western History at the University of Montana until his retirement in 2014. Flores is recognized for his work examining the relationships between humans, animals, and landscapes in the American West. His award-winning books include "Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History" (2016) and "American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains" (2016), which explore the complex histories of North American wildlife and ecosystems. The author's scholarly approach combines natural science, anthropology, and historical research to present new perspectives on familiar subjects. His writing has earned multiple honors including the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award and the Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize. Through his books and essays, Flores has contributed significantly to public understanding of environmental history and wildlife conservation in North America. His work frequently challenges conventional narratives about the American West while examining the region's ecological transformations over time.

Readers appreciate Flores's deep research and ability to bring environmental history to life through engaging narratives. His books on coyotes (Coyote America) and bison (American Serengeti) receive particular praise for blending scientific facts with cultural history. Common praise points: - Clear, accessible writing style for complex topics - Balance of academic rigor with storytelling - Fresh perspectives on familiar animals and landscapes - Thorough source documentation Main criticisms: - Some passages become overly academic - Occasional repetition of key points - Can meander from main topics Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Coyote America: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) - American Serengeti: 4.1/5 (800+ ratings) - Wild New World: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: - Coyote America: 4.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) - American Serengeti: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) Readers often cite his work as changing their perspective on North American wildlife, with one noting "Flores made me see familiar animals in an entirely new light."

American Serengeti (2016) Chronicles the history and ecology of the American Great Plains and its large mammals, from prehistoric times through the 19th century.

Coyote America (2016) Examines the biological and cultural history of the coyote in North America, including its expansion across the continent and its relationships with humans.

Visions of the Big Sky (2010) Documents the artistic representation of the Northern Rockies region through paintings, photographs, and other visual media from the 1870s to the present.

The Natural West (2001) Analyzes environmental change in the American West through case studies of specific locations and ecological systems.

Horizontal Yellow (1999) Explores the cultural and natural history of the Llano Estacado region of Texas and New Mexico.

Caprock Canyonlands (1990) Details the geography, ecology, and human history of the canyon country in the Texas Panhandle region.

Jefferson and Southwestern Exploration (1984) Chronicles Thomas Jefferson's efforts to explore the American Southwest through the Freeman and Custis Expedition of 1806.

Canyon Gardens (2007) Examines the history and development of designed landscapes in the American Southwest.