Wild horses!Just saying the words sets off a stampede of images: echoing box canyons and dusty blue mesas, hooves flying through golden grass, the defiant scream of a rearing stallion, heat waves rippling the distance, speed and strength and cliffs and cactus and dust and grit, lonely places where big empty skies define the day and coyote songs define the night, wild places forever beyond the grip of civilization.

The American romance with mustangs—the embodiment of wild freedom—runs deep, and this gripping, expertly researched exploration of "the history, myth, and future of the mustang" will fuel appreciation for these fascinating, imperiled animals. Author/journalist David Philipps evenhandedly shares the differing perspectives of the impassioned activists, frustrated ranchers, and bureaucratic organizations that have surrounded these horses for decades. Highly recommended for lovers of animals, wild places, American history, and complex problem-solving.