What prompted Thomas Jefferson to express that he would be pleased if all canines became extinct? Which American laborers were ridiculed by Theodore Roosevelt as “sour, gloomy individuals”? Why did Harley O. Gable from Armour & Company suggest that his meat-processing enterprise produce violin strings?

In “American Sheep,” Brett Bannor addresses these inquiries and more, illustrating the pivotal role that America’s herds played in the country’s growth. During periods of conflict, the United States’ reliance on imported wool raised alarms regarding the sheep that the nation needed. Beyond providing wool, sheep were appreciated for their meat, byproducts post-slaughter, and their proficiency in maintaining grass areas.

Bannor reveals the intricate and intriguing connection between Americans and their sheep, detailing how these animals have notably influenced the broader advancement and evolution of the United States. The narrative of America’s sheep covers themes that intersect with various fundamental aspects of the American journey, including conflict, oppression, industrial growth, feminism, and labor dynamics.

The article Book explores the cultural history of sheep in the United States was originally published on UGA Today.