Jaguar

Steven Wagschal is Professor of Hispanic Literatures and Cultural Studies at Indiana University Bloomington. He is the author of Minding Animals in the Old and New Worlds (2018).

Eminently readable and meticulously researched, Jaguar immerses us in the world of this fascinating animal first seen in Europe in 1526. Whether as gift to an emperor or as part of ancient religions and cosmographies, the jaguar inspired awe as one of the deadliest of animals. Ranging today from Arizona to Argentina, it is part of the world’s largest contiguous conservation efforts. Deeply interdisciplinary, this book delves into history, indigenous studies, art history, literature, cinema studies, cognitive ethology and environmentalism. Steven Wagschal ought to be congratulated for bringing out the many aspects of the jaguar and allowing us to visit its many incarnations. - Frederick A. de Armas, University of ChicagoA fascinating study of an iconic beast. From cave paintings in Colombia to the border-crossing El Jefe, Jaguar traces the history of America’s largest feline, charting its influence on science, culture and fashion. - Helen Cowie, author of Animals in World History