The pages of this book transport readers to a variety of captivating landscapes. "Lobo: The King of Currumpaw" and "The Pacing Mustang" unfurl against the backdrop of Northern New Mexico's rugged terrain. Meanwhile, the majority of these tales unfold amidst the vast, unspoiled wilderness of western Canada, the rolling expanses of Ontario, or the open plains of Manitoba. However, "Wully: The Story of a Yaller Dog" takes a different path, leading us into the picturesque heart of northern England. This particular narrative begins its journey in Northumberland's Cheviot district before meandering southward into the enchanting countryside of Derbyshire. Each of these stories echoes the spirit of the 1880s or 1890s, capturing a bygone era with vivid detail.

The Evolution of Animal Tales

For centuries, animal tales have enchanted audiences, yet often these creatures are merely humans cloaked in fur and feathers. Consider Aesop's fables, crafted to impart moral lessons to mankind, or the medieval "Beast Epic," which humorously critiqued contemporary society. However, a refreshing perspective emerges in Seton's narratives, where animals are celebrated for being their authentic selves. Seton perceives the lives of animals as equally fascinating as our own, and he meticulously curates details to shine a light on the captivating aspects of his wild subjects. Unlike many animal stories teeming with sugary sweetness, Seton's tales largely resist cuteness, though he occasionally indulges with phrases like "thimblefuls of down" and "sweet little 'peep, peep'" to describe the innocence of young creatures. In Wild Animals I Have Known, Seton's profound appreciation for nature is palpable, even as he sometimes casts his animal protagonists as villains to heighten drama. Take the horned owl in "Silverspot," labeled a "murderer," or the foxes in "Redruff," depicted as "vicious killers."

Rich Landscapes and Vibrant Characters

Seton's stories unfold against the richly painted backdrops of the American Southwest, the Canadian wilderness, or the pastoral English countryside. Infusing his narratives with local dialects and distinctive characters, he breathes life into the tales, vividly rendering the voices of a diverse cast, from rugged cowhands to clever crows. Through these colorful depictions, Seton masterfully transports readers into the heart of each environment, allowing them to hear the world as his characters do.

Champion of Animal Rights

Long before animal rights became a rallying cry for activists, Ernest Thompson Seton stood as a pioneer in advocating for the dignity of all living creatures. In the gripping scene where Redruff is ensnared, Seton poignantly reflects:

Have the wild things no moral or legal rights? What right has man to inflict such long and fearful agony on a fellow-creature, simply because that creature does not speak his language?

A Journey from Hunter to Conservationist

Seton's early years were steeped in the skills of hunting and trapping, a world he mastered expertly. Yet, as he matured, he bore witness to the grim decimation of buffalo herds in the West and the dwindling numbers of other game animals. This awakening reached a turning point in 1884 during a moose hunt. Gazing upon the lifeless form of his quarry, Seton was gripped by remorse and pledged, "that so long as they are threatened with extermination, I will never again lift my rifle against any of America's big game."

By the time his seminal work, Wild Animals I Have Known, was published in 1898, Seton had embraced the mantle of conservationist. This collection of stories resonated with his deep-seated belief in safeguarding nature's creatures. Among his lesser-known contributions is Natural History of the Ten Commandments, which argues for the inclusion of animals within the moral compass of Christian ethics. Thus, while Wild Animals I...