Raccoon

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Masked bandits of the night, raiders of farm crops and rubbish bins, raccoons are notorious for their indifference to human property and propriety, yet they are also admired for their intelligence, dexterity and determination. Raccoons have also thoroughly adapted to human-dominated environments; they are thriving in numbers greater than at any point of their evolutionary history... including in new habitats.

Raccoon surveys the natural and cultural history of this opportunistic omnivore, tracing its biological evolution, social significance, and image in a range of media and political contexts. From intergalactic misanthropes and despoilers of ancient temples to coveted hunting quarry, unpredictable pet, and symbols of wilderness and racial stereotype alike, Raccoon offers a lively consideration of this misunderstood outlaw species.

Reviews

"JusticesRaccoonis a fascinating and thoughtfully written exploration of its subject in science and cultureand a must-read for anyone like me who is curious about what, for example, Raccoon Mother (our best yard raccoon) is thinking on any given day." -- Jeff VanderMeer * New York Times Book Review, "By the Book" *
"[A] deep dive into the biological, taxonomical, historical, and cultural significance ofProcyon lotor. . . . This is more than just a thorough primer on the nocturnal mammal whose roots can be traced back in the fossil record some thirty million years; it is a nuanced interrogation of the many behaviours, habitats, and characteristics the little guy shares with us." -- Michael Strizic * Literary Review of Canada *
"A wonderful, brilliantly written book about one of my favorite animals. Just such a joy to readand I learned so much. Youll never see raccoons the same again. A book Ill cherish in years to come." -- Jeff VanderMeer, author of the New York Timesbestselling Southern Reach Trilogy
"Beautifully written and superbly illustrated, this engaging book traces the history of the ubiquitous masked bandits as a species, as a symbol, and as a reflection of our society." -- Suzanne MacDonald, Professor of Psychology, York University, Toronto

Author Bio

Daniel Heath Justice (Cherokee Nation) is Professor of Critical Indigenous Studies and English at the University of British Columbia. He is the author of Badger (Reaktion Books, 2015).