Michael P. Branch

I’m pretty sure it was in Nebraska that I saw my first jackalope. I was a city kid and, after realizing the joke was on me, I wanted them to be real. They still make me smile when I see one.

On the Trail of the Jackalope is a delightful read about all things jackalope. I had no idea about where they came from or that other countries have their own versions. This book is a fascinating combination of history, humor, travelogue, and the science surrounding the jackalope's probable inspiration from nature (rabbits infected with a virus that causes them to grow horns).

Based on the author’s extensive research — from interviews at roadside museums to exploring international folktales & mythology about horned rabbits to the scientific discovery of the HPV vaccine — each chapter offers fascinating and often fun information about the jackalope and its meaning to people. The writing style is clear and conversational. Branch is a great storyteller who is obviously passionate about jackalopes. I’d recommend this book to general nonfiction readers and those who like nature and/or science writing, animals, Americana, and folklore.
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The high desert of northern Nevada is the star of this book. I have mostly thought about northern Nevada as a desolate place where people go to Burning Man, but this book is changing my mind. The book is a series of short essays that chronicles the author's life in northeastern Nevada. Branch is a great lover of the sort of desert many see as barren wasteland (as mentioned, I was possibly part of that group). His essays highlight the myriad wildlife and plants that call the High Sierra home. The essays in the book have all previously been published in High Country News. His essays are full of humor, but also full of appreciation for the beauty of a world most of us don't experience. Probably no one knows this area better than Branch; he walks miles, every day, exploring new corners of his beloved desert. I'm impressed by just how much territory he has covered. I also appreciate his humor and his love for a misunderstood landscape. I'm not ready to move there, but I would like to read more about the region, and I plan to seek out Branch's next book.… (mehr)