Rick McIntyre

Book Five in the Award-Winning “Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone” series “Rick’s writing is so vivid, so powerful, that I feel I have been right there with him among the wolves of Yellowstone.”—Jane Goodall Following eight major wolf personalities, Thinking Like a Wolf draws on decades of field notes to uncover the challenges and triumphs of Yellowstone’s wolf packs, from the “chief historian of the most famous wolf population in the world” (Washington Post). In his latest book, award-winning author and renowned wolf researcher, Rick McIntyre, explores the intricate world of wolf behavior in Yellowstone National Park and highlights the individual character traits that allow wolf packs to thrive. Unveiling power struggles, pack politics, the roles of family protection, inter-pack conflicts, and more, Rick skillfully follows the intricacy of packs and the unique attributes each wolf has. In these true stories, he celebrates the many lessons we can learn from wolf packs and the dynamic personalities that enable them to expand across new territories amidst adversity. Weaving an impressive web of politics and power, family cooperation and commitment, rivalry and resilience, Thinking Like a Wolf provides readers with a unique window into the fascinating inner workings of wolf packs.

America’s most beloved wolf historian shares his long-awaited biography—a story filled with true grit, laughter, and love for America’s National Parks. “There is literally no one else who could tell these stories.” NBC “The chief historian of the most famous wolf population in the world.” Washington Post “Like Darwin, McIntyre is an inclusionist and is thus able to enter the hearts and minds of wolves.” Mountain Journal “Rick McIntyre is the ultimate guru of wolf behavior.” Jane Goodall In this entertaining memoir, Rick McIntyre recounts his life spent amongst wild nature while working in the National Parks Service as a park ranger and shares the wisdom he has gained from spending nearly every day of his adult life in the presence of wolves. McIntyre has calculated whether to outpace a grizzly or stand and face it. He has narrowly missed a charge by a moose. He has watched alpha wolves come up against each other in battles for territory—only to be surprised by their benevolent actions. Throughout his career, McIntyre has used his experience in the great outdoors and through watching apex predators in the sights of his telescope to de-escalate fights between humans—even once helping to apprehend an armed man inside Yellowstone National Park by simply inviting him to his wolf talk later that evening. This book chronicles Rick’s journey, explains his values, and brings readers up to date on the latest dramas of the Junction Butte pack in Yellowstone. Along the way, this tale is threaded through with Rick’s calm assertiveness in the face of conflict, his wise dealings with humans and animals alike, and his gentle sense of humor—like the time a woman excitedly thought she saw a grizzly bear through his telescope and Rick had to break it to her that what she saw was really an … Arctic ground squirrel.

For fans of A Wolf Called Wander comes the dramatic story of the life and legacy of the most famous wolf in the world—Wolf 06—in the third installment of The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series. Praise for Book 1 in the series "An inspiring read for any child who loves the natural world."—ROSANNE PARRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A WOLF CALLED WANDER Introducing... Yellowstone royalty. The 06 Female is brave, intelligent, and beautiful. She’s bold enough to survive on her own, and strong enough to take down a fully grown elk by herself. Descended from some of the park’s most legendary wolves, she seems destined for greatness. In the world of the Yellowstone wolf packs, alpha females are a powerful force and Wolf 06 is ready to take on the role—she just needs to find a mate who will match her skills with his own. Based on the observations of renowned Yellowstone wolf expert Rick McIntyre, Queen of the Wolves celebrates Wolf 06 and other alpha females. Their stories will leave no doubt about the legacy of these remarkable wolves. Book 3 in The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series! In The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series, renowned wolf expert Rick McIntyre and award-winning author David A. Poulsen team up to bring the fascinating stories of the Yellowstone wolves to a new generation of readers. Based on McIntyre's award-winning, bestselling books for adult readers, and containing a wealth of scientifically sound information on wolf behavior, this series is written in an engaging style that brings the drama and intrigue of the wolves' world to life.

"The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 is the gripping and true story of a small and scrappy young wolf who became the patriarch of the most powerful pack in Yellowstone National Park. … An inspiring read for any child who loves the natural world." —ROSANNE PARRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A WOLF CALLED WANDER“Reading Rick McIntyre’s books, it’s like you’re out there with him, seeing what he sees.” —LILLY SULLIVAN, THIS AMERICAN LIFEThe Unlikely Hero tells the action and adventure story of one of Yellowstone’s most famous animals, Wolf 8: a runt of the litter who surprised scientists by becoming a powerful leader. Newly reintroduced along with his pack to Yellowstone National Park, Wolf 8 struggles at first. Small and bullied by his siblings, he must learn to fend for himself in his new home, learning to hunt, compete for food, and even stand up to a grizzly bear 10 times his size. One day, little 8 meets an alpha female raising a litter of pups on her own. Her mate was killed by humans. Can little 8 rise to the occasion and help the young family survive? Is he ready to be an alpha wolf? Based on McIntyre’s own sightings of Wolf 8 and told in a thrilling style, The Unlikely Hero is an unforgettable adventure—and a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of wolves and a coming-of-age story for underdogs everywhere. Book 1 in the Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves Book Series! Renowned wolf expert Rick McIntyre and award-winning author David A. Poulsen join forces to bring the stories of Yellowstone's most famous wolves to young readers. Based on McIntyre's award-winning, bestselling books for adult readers, and containing a wealth of scientifically sound information on wolf behavior, this series is written in an engaging style that brings the drama and intrigue of the wolves' world to life.

For fans of A Wolf Called Wander, a legendary pair and an unexpected rival collide in this action-packed second installment of The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series. Praise for Book 1 in the series"An inspiring read for any child who loves the natural world."—ROSANNE PARRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A WOLF CALLED WANDERRaised by his adoptive father, Wolf 21 has become one of Yellowstone’s most famous wolves. As leader of the Druid pack, he’s known for his bravery, his kindness, and his commitment to his mate—the equally impressive Wolf 42. Together, they are a couple the likes of which the park has never seen. Then there’s Wolf 302: a flirt who avoids fights, naps during conflicts, and begs for food instead of hunting. When the trouble-making rebel starts hanging around the Druids, 21 and 42 try to drive him away, but 302 keeps coming back, and, little by little, begins to grow out of his immature ways. But is it enough? Does 302 have what it takes to become an alpha like the greats who came before him? Drawing on Rick McIntyre’s work with the wolves of Yellowstone and told in an engaging style that brilliantly captures the real-life drama of the wolves’ lives, A Time of Legends is a powerful story of redemption and transformation. Book 2 in The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series! In The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series, renowned wolf expert Rick McIntyre and award-winning author David A. Poulsen team up to bring the fascinating stories of the Yellowstone wolves to a new generation of readers. Based on McIntyre's award-winning, bestselling books for adult readers, and containing a wealth of scientifically sound information on wolf behavior, this series is written in an engaging style that brings the drama and intrigue of the wolves' world to life.

Book Five in the Award-Winning “Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone” series“Rick’s writing is so vivid, so powerful, that I feel I have been right there with him among the wolves of Yellowstone.”—Jane GoodallFollowing eight major wolf personalities, Thinking Like a Wolf draws on decades of field notes to uncover the challenges and triumphs of Yellowstone’s wolf packs, from the “chief historian of the most famous wolf population in the world” (Washington Post). In his latest book, award-winning author and renowned wolf researcher, Rick McIntyre, explores the intricate world of wolf behavior in Yellowstone National Park and highlights the individual character traits that allow wolf packs to thrive. Unveiling power struggles, pack politics, the roles of family protection, inter-pack conflicts, and more, Rick skillfully follows the intricacy of packs and the unique attributes each wolf has. In these true stories, he celebrates the many lessons we can learn from wolf packs and the dynamic personalities that enable them to expand across new territories amidst adversity. Weaving an impressive web of politics and power, family cooperation and commitment, rivalry and resilience, Thinking Like a Wolf provides readers with a unique window into the fascinating inner workings of wolf packs.

Book Four in the Award-Winning Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone seriesFollowing five generations of female wolves—including the famous 06—this gripping family saga set in Yellowstone National Park reveals the pivotal role that female wolves play in pack life.“Rick’s writing is so vivid, so powerful, that I feel I have been right there with him among the wolves of Yellowstone. And I urge you, the reader, to come with us and discover the magic of wolf society.”—DR. JANE GOODALL, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of PeaceYellowstone’s 06 female was called ‘the most famous wolf in the world.’ Her strength, beauty, and intelligence were unmatched, and her ability to hunt, protect her young cubs, and choose the right mates made her pack successful. In his latest book, award-winning author and renowned wolf researcher Rick McIntyre turns his spotting scope on 06 and more remarkable female wolves, telling the dramatic true story of five generations of female leaders in Yellowstone National Park. As Rick shows us, female wolves, not their male counterparts, play the most pivotal roles in pack life. They choose who may mate with them and where their pack will hunt and raise pups. They negotiate treaties and fiercely defend their families. The only opponent they cannot defeat is a human with a gun. In The Alpha Female Wolf, McIntyre profiles 06’s rise to power. He also celebrates the lives of other female wolves who deserve our recognition. Throughout, McIntyre weaves wolf biology and storytelling into a page-turning narrative that, once again, gives readers a rare window into life in a wolf pack—this time from a female point of view.

From the renowned wolf researcher and author of The Rise of Wolf 8 and The Reign of Wolf 21 comes a stunning account of an unconventional alpha male. A lover, not a fighter. That was wolf 302. A renegade with an eye for the ladies, 302 was anything but Yellowstone’s perfect alpha male. For starters, he fled from danger. He begged for food from other wolves, ditched females he’d gotten pregnant, and even napped during a heated battle with a rival pack! But this is not the story of 302’s failures. This is the story of his dramatic transformation. And legendary wolf writer Rick McIntyre witnessed it all from the sidelines. As McIntyre closely observed with his spotting scope, wolf 302 began to mature, and, much to McIntyre’s surprise, became the leader of a new pack in his old age. But in a year when game was scarce, could the aging wolf provide for his family? Had he changed enough to live up to the legacies of the great alpha males before him? Recounted in McIntyre’s captivating storytelling voice and peppered with fascinating insights into wolf behavior, The Redemption of Wolf 302 is a powerful coming-of-age tale that will strike a chord with anyone who has struggled to make a change, big or small.“With this third installment of Rick McIntyre’s magnum opus, the scope and ambition of the project becomes clear: nothing less than a grand serialization of the first twenty years of wolves in Yellowstone, a kind of lupine Great Expectations.”—Nate Blakeslee, New York Times-bestselling author of American Wolf

"The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 is the gripping and true story of a small and scrappy young wolf who became the patriarch of the most powerful pack in Yellowstone National Park. … An inspiring read for any child who loves the natural world." —ROSANNE PARRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A WOLF CALLED WANDER“Reading Rick McIntyre’s books, it’s like you’re out there with him, seeing what he sees.” —LILLY SULLIVAN, THIS AMERICAN LIFEThe Unlikely Hero tells the action and adventure story of one of Yellowstone’s most famous animals, Wolf 8: a runt of the litter who surprised scientists by becoming a powerful leader. Newly reintroduced along with his pack to Yellowstone National Park, Wolf 8 struggles at first. Small and bullied by his siblings, he must learn to fend for himself in his new home, learning to hunt, compete for food, and even stand up to a grizzly bear 10 times his size. One day, little 8 meets an alpha female raising a litter of pups on her own. Her mate was killed by humans. Can little 8 rise to the occasion and help the young family survive? Is he ready to be an alpha wolf? Based on McIntyre’s own sightings of Wolf 8 and told in a thrilling style, The Unlikely Hero is an unforgettable adventure—and a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of wolves and a coming-of-age story for underdogs everywhere. Book 1 in the Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves Book Series! Renowned wolf expert Rick McIntyre and award-winning author David A. Poulsen join forces to bring the stories of Yellowstone's most famous wolves to young readers. Based on McIntyre's award-winning, bestselling books for adult readers, and containing a wealth of scientifically sound information on wolf behavior, this series is written in an engaging style that brings the drama and intrigue of the wolves' world to life.

Book Four in the Award-Winning Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone seriesFollowing five generations of female wolves—including the famous 06—this gripping family saga set in Yellowstone National Park reveals the pivotal role that female wolves play in pack life.“Rick’s writing is so vivid, so powerful, that I feel I have been right there with him among the wolves of Yellowstone. And I urge you, the reader, to come with us and discover the magic of wolf society.”—DR. JANE GOODALL, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of PeaceYellowstone’s 06 female was called ‘the most famous wolf in the world.’ Her strength, beauty, and intelligence were unmatched, and her ability to hunt, protect her young cubs, and choose the right mates made her pack successful. In his latest book, award-winning author and renowned wolf researcher Rick McIntyre turns his spotting scope on 06 and more remarkable female wolves, telling the dramatic true story of five generations of female leaders in Yellowstone National Park. As Rick shows us, female wolves, not their male counterparts, play the most pivotal roles in pack life. They choose who may mate with them and where their pack will hunt and raise pups. They negotiate treaties and fiercely defend their families. The only opponent they cannot defeat is a human with a gun. In The Alpha Female Wolf, McIntyre profiles 06’s rise to power. He also celebrates the lives of other female wolves who deserve our recognition. Throughout, McIntyre weaves wolf biology and storytelling into a page-turning narrative that, once again, gives readers a rare window into life in a wolf pack—this time from a female point of view.

“A redemption story, an adventure story, and perhaps above all, a love story.”—Nate Blakeslee, New York Times-bestselling author of American WolfThe Druid Peak Pack was the most famous wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park, and maybe even in the world. This is the dramatic true story of its remarkable leader, Wolf 21—whose compassion and loyalty challenges commonly held beliefs about alpha males. In this compelling follow-up to the national bestseller The Rise of Wolf 8, Rick McIntyre profiles one of Yellowstone’s most revered alpha males, Wolf 21. Leader of the Druid Peak Pack, Wolf 21 was known for his unwavering bravery, his unusual benevolence (unlike other alphas, he never killed defeated rival males), and his fierce commitment to his mate, the formidable Wolf 42. Wolf 21 and Wolf 42 were attracted to each other the moment they met—but Wolf 42’s jealous sister interfered viciously in their relationship. After an explosive insurrection within the pack, the two wolves came together at last as leaders of the Druid Peak Pack, which dominated the park for more than 10 years. McIntyre recounts the pack’s fascinating saga with compassion and a keen eye for detail, drawing on his many years of experience observing Yellowstone wolves in the wild. His outstanding work of science writing offers unparalleled insight into wolf behavior and Yellowstone’s famed wolf reintroduction project. It also offers a love story for the ages.“Like Thomas McNamee, David Mech, Barry Lopez, and other literary naturalists with an interest in wolf behavior, McIntyre writes with both elegance and flair, making complex biology and ethology a pleasure to read. Fans of wild wolves will eat this one up.”—Kirkus starred review

From the renowned wolf researcher and author of The Rise of Wolf 8 and The Reign of Wolf 21 comes a stunning account of an unconventional alpha male. A lover, not a fighter. That was wolf 302. A renegade with an eye for the ladies, 302 was anything but Yellowstone’s perfect alpha male. For starters, he fled from danger. He begged for food from other wolves, ditched females he’d gotten pregnant, and even napped during a heated battle with a rival pack! But this is not the story of 302’s failures. This is the story of his dramatic transformation. And legendary wolf writer Rick McIntyre witnessed it all from the sidelines. As McIntyre closely observed with his spotting scope, wolf 302 began to mature, and, much to McIntyre’s surprise, became the leader of a new pack in his old age. But in a year when game was scarce, could the aging wolf provide for his family? Had he changed enough to live up to the legacies of the great alpha males before him? Recounted in McIntyre’s captivating storytelling voice and peppered with fascinating insights into wolf behavior, The Redemption of Wolf 302 is a powerful coming-of-age tale that will strike a chord with anyone who has struggled to make a change, big or small.“With this third installment of Rick McIntyre’s magnum opus, the scope and ambition of the project becomes clear: nothing less than a grand serialization of the first twenty years of wolves in Yellowstone, a kind of lupine Great Expectations.”—Nate Blakeslee, New York Times-bestselling author of American Wolf

“The powerful origin story of one of Yellowstone’s greatest and most famous wolves.” —Washington Post“[The Rise of Wolf 8] is a goldmine for information on all aspects of wolf behavior and clearly shows they are clever, smart, and emotional beings.” —Marc Bekoff, Psychology TodayYellowstone National Park was once home to an abundance of wild wolves—but park rangers killed the last of their kind in the 1920s. Decades later, the rangers brought them back, with the first wolves arriving from Canada in 1995. This is the incredible true story of one of those wolves. Wolf 8 struggles at first—he is smaller than the other pups, and often bullied—but soon he bonds with an alpha female whose mate was shot. An unusually young alpha male, barely a teenager in human years, Wolf 8 rises to the occasion, hunting skillfully, and even defending his family from the wolf who killed his father. But soon he faces a new opponent: his adopted son, who mates with a violent alpha female. Can Wolf 8 protect his valley without harming his protégé? Authored by a renowned wolf researcher and gifted storyteller, The Rise of Wolf 8 marks the beginning of The Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone series, which will transform our view of wolves forever.

“A redemption story, an adventure story, and perhaps above all, a love story.”—Nate Blakeslee, New York Times-bestselling author of American WolfThe Druid Peak Pack was the most famous wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park, and maybe even in the world. This is the dramatic true story of its remarkable leader, Wolf 21—whose compassion and loyalty challenges commonly held beliefs about alpha males. In this compelling follow-up to the national bestseller The Rise of Wolf 8, Rick McIntyre profiles one of Yellowstone’s most revered alpha males, Wolf 21. Leader of the Druid Peak Pack, Wolf 21 was known for his unwavering bravery, his unusual benevolence (unlike other alphas, he never killed defeated rival males), and his fierce commitment to his mate, the formidable Wolf 42. Wolf 21 and Wolf 42 were attracted to each other the moment they met—but Wolf 42’s jealous sister interfered viciously in their relationship. After an explosive insurrection within the pack, the two wolves came together at last as leaders of the Druid Peak Pack, which dominated the park for more than 10 years. McIntyre recounts the pack’s fascinating saga with compassion and a keen eye for detail, drawing on his many years of experience observing Yellowstone wolves in the wild. His outstanding work of science writing offers unparalleled insight into wolf behavior and Yellowstone’s famed wolf reintroduction project. It also offers a love story for the ages.“Like Thomas McNamee, David Mech, Barry Lopez, and other literary naturalists with an interest in wolf behavior, McIntyre writes with both elegance and flair, making complex biology and ethology a pleasure to read. Fans of wild wolves will eat this one up.”—Kirkus starred review