Reviews (3)

THE single best reference for Exotics
This is it. The best resource for exotic livestock, period. Although it focuses on Texas, the information contained herein is applicable to most regions. It goes into great detail regarding land carrying capacity, fencing requirements, nutritional needs and health concerns/diseases/parasites. The history of exotics in Texas is examined, as well as distribution of various species throughout the state. But the real appeal of this book is the depth in which individual species are detailed. The most popular hoofstock are here, of course: axis, fallow, red and sika deer; blackbuck, addax, scimitar, nilgai and eland antelope; ibex, mouflon; markhor and aoudad sheep/goats; and many other species that are either failed experiments or novelties.

Whether you're a student doing research or a farmer/rancher looking for a way to escape the heartache/headache of cattle, this is the best book you could hope to find.

A very useful reference.
We have read and reread parts of this book. It is an excellent reference. We raise Red Deer, Axis Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Fallow Deer, Whitetail Deer and Barbado Sheep and all are covered very well by the book. In addition, the book helped me to calculate the carrying capacity of our ranch.

Great for research!
As a student, this book was very helpful for my research paper on Texas mammals. I recommend it to anyone interested in Texas wildlife. ... Read more

Book Description

"Deftly written . . . Patterson's book must now be considered the definitive Tsavo lion study... one of the world's leading experts on lions as well as an important conservationist."--Publishers Weekly

Through field research and forensic evidence, a scientist reveals his theory on why two Kenyan lions killed humans and then ate their prey

In March 1898, the British began building a bridge over the Tsavo River in East Africa. In nine months, two male lions killed and ate nearly 135 workers, halting construction.

After a long hunt Colonel J. H. Patterson killed the lions, which are now on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

As codirector of the Tsavo Research Project, Bruce Patterson has conducted extensive fieldwork throughout the region on these lions. In The Lions of Tsavo, Patterson retells the harrowing story of those bloody nights in Kenya. He presents new forensic evidence on these maneless lions and argues that the man-eating behavior exhibited in 1898 came from the encroachment of human populations on wild habitats.

Patterson continues this theory by exploring man's interaction with the changing Kenyan environment, creating a complete, up-to-date, and scientific look behind this intriguing murder mystery.

Reviews (2)

A passion for the big African cats...
For all of us with a passion for the big African cats, this book is a must read. The author, B.D.Patterson, combines his years of field research with an obvious love of the African continent to produce a scientific yet readable and ultimately fascinating review of lion behavior, biology, and evolution.

Starting with an historical review of 'man-eater lion' stories Dr. Patterson clarifies facts and debunks myths. He provides a comprehensive review of related factors - from dentition to drought - from game scarcity to human burial practices. No stone is left unturned as he investigates aggressive behavior where the territories of human and lion overlap (and there is aggressive behavior on both sides of this equation!!). He continues his analysis with a succinct review of the latest biological and evolutionary information of the Panthera genus, covering the latest findings in DNA studies, historical range analysis, behavioral studies, and much more. Finally, he concludes the book with a review of conservation efforts in the Tsavo region and plea for continued assistance for this increasingly endangered species.

Readers who are tired of the dumbed-down approach many authors follow in order to cater to the broadest audience possible will be presently surprised by this book. It is thoughtful and intelligent throughout - readable and enjoyable - give it a try.

A Fascinating Study
Bruce Patterson's brilliant new book shines a much-needed scientific light on the lions of Tsavo. First made infamous by Colonel John Patterson (no relation to the author of this book), after he wrote "The Man-eaters of Tsavo" almost a century ago, and then re-introduced to modern audiences when the movie "The Ghost and the Darkness" came out in 1996, the lions of the barren East African region have been much speculated on. Their unusual physical characteristics and habits, including a reputed inclination to prey on men with greater frequency than other lions, have added to the interest about them.

Unfortunately, and somewhat surprisingly, little is known about the Tsavo lions. Are they a separate species from the lions found elsewhere in Africa or a subspecies? How does their social behavior differ from that of other lions? Why are the male lions of Tsavo typically maneless? Was the trait selected by evolution for some reason or determined by the tough physical environment of Tsavo?

Bruce Patterson, a naturalist with extensive experience studying these beasts, informs the debate on them to such a degree that even where he does not provide definitive answers to these questions about the lions - and he sometimes does -- he provides the definitive framework for understanding them. He approaches the creature from every angle. He has studied them in the field. He has worked on them in the laboratory. And he has extensively read both the scientific and popular literature on the lions.

Despite his impressive scholarship, Patterson is not afraid to tell the reader when he doesn't know something. He often writes that some area on the lions needs further study. I also appreciated how he took seriously what any source (white hunters, local tribesmen, etc.) had to say about the lions. Patterson does not snobbishly discount what a source says just because it was not written by a fellow scientist. He makes note of it in his ledger and considers it in the context of other information on the subject.

This is a delightful book. If you have any interest in lions in particular or big cats in general, you will find it fascinating and informative. ... Read more

Book Description

Few authors in memory have delighted readers around the world as thoroughly as the beloved veterinarian James Herriot. And with his recent volumes of hugely popular illustrated tales – James Herriot’s Cat Stories and James Herriot’s Favourite Dog Stories – his name has been introduced to a whole new generation of readers. Now, this gorgeous new collection brings together ten of his best-loved stories celebrating all the creatures in his wonderful world – creatures bright and beautiful, great and small.

Here are lambs, horses, cows, dogs, even a whimsical pig or two, along with their colourful human counterparts – all brought vividly to life by Herriot’s storytelling magic. From a prickly horse young James encountered early in his veterinary-school experience, through Dorothy the goat – star of the entrancing holiday tale “There’s Christmas – and Christmas”– we are reacquainted with many of the most charming members of Herriot’s Yorkshire menagerie. Once again illuminated by the radiant watercolours of Lesley Holmes, each of Herriot’s stories captures the kind of warmth and humour that comes with old, familiar friendship. With a special introduction by Herriot’s own son, Jim, the stories in this bright new collection will charm readers of any age. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

happy uncomplicated stories
Easy reading for a light min

Heart warming, fun, truely wonderful!
James Herriot writes of his various experiences as a country vet. Laugh with his humorous mishaps, and share the joy and fulfillment of his career. ... Read more

Book Description

Do animals think? Can they count? Do they have emotions? Do they feel anger, frustration, hurt, or sorrow? At last, here is a book that provides authoritative answers to these long-standing questions. Most popular science books t to misrepresent animals, presenting them either as furry little humans or as creatures that cannot feel at all. Marc D. Hauser, an acclaimed scientist in the field of animal cognition, uses insights from evolutionary theory and cognitive science to examine animal thought without such biases or preconceptions. Hauser treats animals neither as machines devoid of feeling nor as extensions of humans, but as independent beings driven by their own complex impulses. In prose that is both elegant and edifying, Hauser describes his groundbreaking research in the field, leading his readers on what David Premack, author of The Mind of an Ape, calls "a masterful tour of the animal mind."
... Read more

Reviews (15)

Not an exact science
People often think that science should be conclusive, like a good mystery novel. This book illustrates, in an entertaining, layman-accessible style, what most topics of scientific study really give us.

Through a satisfyingly large selection of anecdotal and experimental citations, Hauser explores the process of determining animals' motivations using only behavioral evidence. From this limited angle it's difficult to get very far, but he puts forth a number of viable hypotheses. His conclusions are presented gracefully, acknowledging that other people might interpret the evidence differently. I haven't known of many scientists (or even professors) who could do that!

I really like the "tools" analogy and the explorations and comparisons with the human infant, as well as his captivating writing style. Maybe we will never find out exactly what goes through our pets' minds as they interact with us, but this book is the best, most realistic discussion I've come across. It is honest and doesn't take any questionable authority. And it makes a great read for people who are somewhat intellectual but are bored stiff by the likes of "Nature".

I was also happy to learn that Marc D. Hauser is a homeboy of mine... I wasn't exactly a Pit Punk, but in my college days I spent a lot of time in that area - in the Film Archives in particular. I wonder how close we came to crossing paths.

too much "we'll never really know"
His style is a little flat: a scientist writing for popular audience and trying really hard not to talk down. But he organizes the subject really well and clearly, with chapters on tools, numbers, spatial navegation, sense of self, language, moral reasoning. Each one synthesizes a large amount of scientific research on both animals and children, with interesting anecdotes.

The preface makes it clear he's writing against sentimental popular books on the subject that treat animal as being like humans inside, and themselves attack "the scientists." But this book gives a dreary image of the scientists. Each chapter describes some amazing abilities of different animals, describes some exhausting, repetitive experiments to document (it often seems) a small part of what was already suspected, and then concludes that as to the most important part -- "what animals really think" -- science doesn't know. But (drearily), they probably aren't conscious.

He should be clearer than he is in summarizing what the experiments have shown, and in particular about the differences in cognitive performance (not "real thought") btw adult and infant humans, primates (his main interest), birds (who get less attention), rats (still less), and social insects (who make a few star turns).

Subtitle should be how animals and human minds differ
Hauser has written a remarkably accessible introduction to comparative psychology. While containing the main points one might expect in a textbook outline, he does an excellent job of presenting this information in an interesting narrative form.

Hauser begins with an introductory chapter that presents his basic approach and cautions against anthropomorphisms.

Chapters two through four comprise a unit that focuses on those mental capacities shared by animals and human beings. Both can identify objects and predict their movement. Both can distinguish quantity. Both can navigate through space. Perhaps it takes a course in cognitive psychology to appreciate these commonalities, but I believe that Hauser does an excellent job of presenting research results for lay consumption. His presentation of animal and human infant studies of the expectancy-violation principle is alone worth the cost of the book.

The second section, chapters five through seven, focus on mental capacities which seem to be qualitatively common in animals and humans, but quantitatively distinct. Hauser presents a well-balanced account of the evidence for self-awareness, teaching, and deception among animals.

The final section contains two chapters on mental capacities that appear to be almost unique to human beings - language and morality. Hauser's careful review of animal communication is amazing, as is his locus of morality in the ability to inhibit selfish tendencies to maintain social conventions.

I recommend this book without reservation. No reader will regret spending time with this book. It is quite stimulating.

What Do Animals Really Think? You Won't Find it in this Book
As another reader has pointed out, Hauser's subtitle is misleading. He readily admits that scientific studies on the nonhuman animal mind are very incomplete, but based on the limited evidence to this point, rather rashly concludes that they are not on a par with human animal minds (according to him, nonhuman animals are not self-aware and do not feel embarrassment or shame, but like humans three years old or younger, deserve good treatment from us.) In other words, he comes across, like the more enlightened scientists, as a welfarist--treat 'em right, but keep 'em in their place (so we can keep experimenting on them).

Hauser is careful not to be condescending to those who may suspect that their dogs or cats or any other animals have more between their ears than we currently understand. In the first chapter he states his case against popular writers like Jeffrey Masson and Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, whom he claims commit the "sin" of anthropomorphosis--but it's not a diatribe. If you can get past that clearly stated bias, Hauser's book is an informative if unsatisfying read, because the findings he presents ultimately leave you up in the air about what animals really think.

Useful but not very clear
Hauser is not a good writer. His explanations are often unclear. His arguments are often disorganized. There is a lot of interesting stuff here, and it's a useful antidote to the rampant anthropomorphism of many less scientific books. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Wild Animals I Have Known
This is a reprinting of a book of wonderful stories by Ernest Thompson Seton. But buyer beware. The publisher has excluded all 200 of the author's sketches and drawings that help the stories come alive for both younger and older readers. In addition, the design of the book is amateurish. Type is spread across the page, with extra spaces between paragraphs, nothing like the pleasing style of the original editions. This is a lifeless shadow of an American classic.

must read book to raise compassionate kids
I've read this book way back when I was a kid growing up in Russia. I cried while reading about the pidgeon's fate, was happy when the rabbit was released, filled with respect for Lobo the wolf... It was one of the books that I'll always remember as being one of the greatest collection of stories. The language is simple yet exquisite, and the story flows so smoothly, you can read past midnight and not notice.
Not only that, that book gave me a better understanding of animals - not as we humans tend to humanize animal emotions and actions, but as real animals think and feel. It definitely made me change my perspective on many subjects - my treatment of nature, of animals, even human relationships.
All that when I was in my early teens. All that without any grownup having to "have a talk" with me or me even noticing that I got a "better understanding" of things.

Now that my son is growing up here, I'm getting him his copy of the book, and I'm quite hopeful that it will bring him a lot of enjoyment as well as food for thought.

My review of "wild animals i have known
I read Wild animals i have known by Ernest Thompson.Its a 245 page book fild with short storys about animals.It as A little something for everyone. It has adventure, comody, sadness, and bunnys. Each story has its own characters both human and animal.My favorite story is one intitled Lobo.Its about a wolf traper and his toils with lobo the leader of the neiborhood wolf pack. Each story kept my attention throughout the whole book.I would recomend this book to everyone who likes to read about animals.

An astute observer spins engrossing tales of animals' lives
I first read this book as a very young reader, almost sixty years ago. Seton's ability to identify with the wildlife he studies,but with a minimum of anthropomorphism or sentimentality, and then write touching, exciting mini-dramas is enhanced by his role as an observer who does not inject himself as a foreign influence in their lives.

I'm buying copies of the hardcover edition for my grandchildren, for this book will be read more than once, and kept for a lifetime. Get it before it goes out of print again. Robert H. Tyrka, Sr. rtyrkasr@chesint.net

A must for aspiring naturalists.
Seton Thompson's stories of wild animals and their wonderful ways touch the hearts of young and old. There are no happy endings in this book, because the moral is that animals always die tragic deaths. But if you want to learn the laws of nature and better understand animals and their ways, these accounts of a hunter-trapper will reward you with hours of enchanted stort-telling. ... Read more

Book Description

Once the world's largest marsupial predator, the doglike Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) ranged across Australia and as far north as New Guinea. After humans introduced dingoes to the area 4,000 years ago, the misnamed "tiger" was driven to extinction everywhere except the island of Tasmania. With the arrival of European settlers there in the 1800s, however, its days became numbered. Unsubstantiated tales of its blood-thirst and its unnaturally savage attacks on sheep led to the creation of "extermination societies" and ultimately to the introduction of a law in 1886 that mandated the destruction of the species. Hunted indiscriminately for fifty years, Tasmanian tigers were granted a reprieve in 1936, when the government was persuaded to protect the species. But it was too late: the last specimen died in a Hobart zoo two months later.

In Tasmanian Tiger, David Owen tells the tragic story of the thylacine, from its evolutionary origins and its physical and behavioral characteristics to its ill-fated encounter with European civilization and the ongoing fascination with the "Tassie Tiger" as a potent symbol of wildlife conservation. Elegantly written and full of interesting facts and first-hand stories from those who saw the animal in the wild, Tasmanian Tiger offers a compelling account of how fear and ignorance doomed an entire species over the course of a century. And in recounting numerous recent sightings of the thylacine in Tasmania, Owen explores the power that this once-despised creature continues to hold on the imagination today. Indeed, as described in this book, serious efforts are being undertaken to bring back the Tasmanian tiger through cloning, a controversial project that raises a number of ethical questions for scientists and conservationists everywhere. For both those familiar with the thylacine and those discovering this remarkable animal for the first time, Tasmanian Tiger is a poignant cautionary tale of human folly and the fragility of the natural world. ... Read more

Book Description

A review and exploration of the evidence that animals have a significant influence on human life and health. The authors, who were the original investigators of well known studies, show that physical and emotional health can be improved with human-animal interaction. The book reviews the evolution of domestication and the basis for the importance of companion animals in our lives. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

For Responsible Pet Owners Only . . .
I would like to revise my original book review on this book.

This book is outstanding and I would highly recommend it for EVERY dog owner and POTENTIAL dog owner.

In addition to discussing the reasons why people choose pets, as well as discussing traits of pets themselves, the authors address other very important topics. Some of the topics discussed are: euthanasia; dog bites -- causes, statistics, solutions; strays -- how to identify them from wandering but owned dogs, and the health problems strays pose; dog packs -- how they operate and the dangers of packs. The authors included a table, The Urban Stray Dog, which is helpful in identifying the difference between an 'Owned Dog' and an 'Unowned Dog.' Also addressed are the diseases that dogs and pets can pass on to humans, their occurrence, and solutions to these disease threats. Not left out are issues such as dealing with people who have too many pets -- and how this type of multiple ownership causes problem for other urban dwellers; the traits of these multiple pet owners are also discussed. Dog laws are also discussed as are poop scoop laws.

The back of the book lists books and articles that the reader might find helpful under various topics discussed in the book; also listed are resource to be found on the internet on topics such as Pets in Therapy, Pet Information, Animal Behavior, Animal Care, Pet Loss, and Veterinary Education and Professional Services.

The book discussed other companion animals as well, but as a dog owner, I tended to focus my review on those issues relevant to me. I do not mean to bias you against the book by excluding mention of other companion animals addressed in the book. This book is probably one of the most comprehensive books I have read about companion animals and the issues surrounding them.

This book covers issues not dealt with in any other book I have read -- yet knowledge of these issues is necessary for being a responsible pet owner. No matter what your pet, you ought to give this book a read. It is a very easy and interesting read, the balance between active and passive voice tends to draw you into the context and makes it hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

For Serious Pet Owners Only . . .
This book is a "must read" for those who consider their pet a close friend or family member.

The book is an easy read, and I found myself 3/4 of the way through it the first night. Not only is the topic interesting, but the writing skill is commendable -- it is written with a nice balance of active/passive voice.

It explained to me, in easy layman terms, the physiological benefits of pet companionship. It also explains why we psycologically find pet 'ownership' so satisfying.

Other books have explored this human-pet relationship through pictures -- "Guys and Dogs", "Woman's Best Friend", "New York Dogs" and they have done a fine job with the pictures.

The authors of "Between Pets and People" have now given us the words and facts to explain our feelings for our pets, And through the facts and explanations emerges a legitimacy for the pet-people relationship that didn't exist before. As you read the book you discover as much about yourself as you do about animal companionship.

This book belongs on your bookshelf! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (9)

Wonderful illustrations
This book is full of wonderful illustrations, quick history and quick scientific overviews. It is LONG on liberal politics (the author is a left coast journalist).

I recommend this book to Democrats and independent liberals. Conservatives will find it intrusively annoying.

As for recommending it to giraffe fans, as I am, it's not worth the purchase, but then, there is precious little available in print for giraffe fans.

This book is a hoot!
As a Clinical Massage Therapist (for both humans and non), and the only captive/agressive (animal) TTouch practitioner in my state, I do a lot of volunteer work at my local Zoological park. I'm never quite sure what I'll be working on when I go out, so I like to pick up info on various animals when I can and just read ahead. When I placed my order, I was looking for a little more scientific data, but even without the clinical research I was most pleased with what showed up at my door!

Ms. Sherr's sincere passion for the creature is evident on every page, and the book itself is simply a pleasure to hold and read. It has a nicely designed slick cover and the binding is top-notch. This book will last for ages if taken care of, but as appealing as the images have been to my daugher, I have to keep a close eye on it.

There are interesting facts, and some fiction is dispelled. There's tons of history and beautiful pix on every page.

No, the book is not the end-all be-all of information, but it is well worth the price, and there are even a few used ones for sale above (though not mine. . . you can't have it. . . just back awaaaaay from the book.)

I highly recommend this book for anyone with a passing interest or even a non-veterinary passion for the animal!

Big Disappointment
I was looking for a scientific book about giraffes and at the time this was all I could find so I purchased it. The book contains wonderful pictures otherwise I would give it zero stars. The book has almost no scientific information and is filled with a lot of irrelevant and dull quotes about giraffes (made by historical figures) , along with other cutesy stuff. AND I still have not found a current scientific/field study type book about giraffes!! This book might be good to read to the kids.

"Tall Blondes" gives a rush to the giraffe lover.
The personality of the giraffe is seen throughout this book. I wish humans could learn from the giraffe's peace in his world, the eye contact, the sharing, the adaption to the world as it is. Lynn Sherr has had the best opportunity in the world. All I want to know is "Can I go to Nairobi and pet the giraffes too? Excellant Book. You will love it!

A marvelous work of art.
This book contains the most captivating journey through the history and lives of giraffes that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. As a giraffophile myself, I was amazed at the extent of new, fascinating information contained within each page. It has wonderful illustrations that complement and enhance the reading. "Tall Blondes" is a must-have for every giraffe lover; it's a graceful, distinctive work that is truly deserving of its unique subject matter. ... Read more

Book Description

The most hilarious, whimsical moments captured on film, from twenty-five years of living Outside.

Short of near disaster or the sublime, what are our most memorable outdoor moments made of? The totally surprising, sometimes bizarre oddball moments that catch our psyches off guard and strike our funny bones to the core. Call it the wild side factor.

The editors of Outside proudly present outstanding images gleaned from 300 issues of their back-page "Parting Shots" photo feature. It's their way of celebrating the pratfalls and singular coincidences of an outdoor life—the comic circumstances of relatively tame mammals (us) spending more and more time closer and closer to large, wild animals. These images are a rare chance to look into the wide world outside and laugh at both ourselves and that infinitely wondrous, entertaining three-ring circus we call the universe. 67 four-color photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Captivating Moments of Beauty and Silliness
'The Polar Bear Waltz' is a wonderful book taken from the best of the popular "Parting Shot" feature in 'Outside' magazine, which monthly showcases a wild, wonderful, beautiful, funny, or just plain quirky shot taken by a top rate nature photographer.

The book contains a brief introduction and the remainder is the beautiful photographs, with photography information yet no captions to allow the reader to mentally construct their own. The photos are breathtaking, many involving animals, many human interest shots, or even an occasional landscape. My favorites have to be the 'polar bear waltz' photo by Frans Lanting in Hudson Bay, Canada (p.77), the 'smiling saguaro' by Joe McDonald taken in Arizona (p. 79), the 'north pole' shot by Per Breihagen (pp. 72-73), and the 'whimsical ostrich' shot by Kevin Horan taken in Addington, Oklahoma (p.45). All of the shots in this book are great, but perhaps the most touching is the photo from Mount Elbert, Colorado by Dave Showalter on September 16, 2001 (p.96), surely one of the most inspiring photographs I have ever seen.

This is a beautiful and affordable book of some of the most truly amazing and stunning, sometimes playful, sometimes serious, but always magnificent photographs that I have ever seen. I recommend it to anyone.

mostly human
Althou there are some "silly" animal shots, most are humans, especially skier and other atheletes. Don't buy it for the animal lover.

Great pictures, and funny too
I bought this book for my brother for Christmas. After he opened it, it went around the whole house and everyone loved the pictures. This is a great coffee table book and one that can be enjoyed over and over.

How to stuff a wild stocking
Simply a great gift book for anyone who loves wild places, adventure, the absurdity of life, and a good laugh.

Pefect for a Coffee table
If you know anyone who loves a new coffee table book every once in a while, or simply loves photography, this is a great gift! It portrays so many natural ironies that make your mind wonder and wander...so who couldn't appreciate it!? ... Read more

Book Description

Laboratory animals, including rabbits, play an important role in biomedical research and advances. The humane care and management of these animals is an ongoing concern. This guide was created especially for individuals performing research with rabbits whose duties include animal facility management, animal husbandry, regulatory compliance, and technical procedures involved with their research. Basic information and common procedures are presented in detail. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A Must Read for Animal Lovers!!!!
I loved this book! I'm ordering another one because mine is getting so dogged-eared from passing it around. I work with many animal organizations and am truly impressed with Best Friends! I was hestitant about ordering another animal story book because they often have heartbreaking, awful stories about the misery of so many. This book is different! It gives hope and a wonderful feeling that there are so many out there to help our animal friends. It tells the story of the people who pulled this wonderful organization together and of the many residents who were so fortunate to find their way to this sanctuary. I really felt like I got to know all the animals written about in this book. It was delightful to get to know all different personalities! Thank you for telling the story in such a positive, up-lifting manner! Not only am I making it a point now to visit Best Friends, I have become a Guardian Angel supporter!

Make these people & animals your Best Friends!
I bought this book when I visited Best Friends about 2 years ago but only just read it. Why the delay? I was expecting lots of negative stories - people abusing animals, etc. When I finally picked the book up to read I zipped through it quickly amazed at the powerfully positive messages. Yes, there are stories of the bad things that humans do to animals but these are used to highlight the good things that humans can do if they make the choice to care.

Almost more than the animal stories are those of the people who made Best Friends real. The compassionate people who saw a need and, out of their own pockets, decided to make a difference. Although the organization became (and is) public it began as a labor of love.

If you love animals you will find this book one of hope and passion. It made me wish I could pack up and move to Kanab, UT to become a full-time volunteer!

Read the book and, if you haven't already, visit the sactuary itself. It's truly a testament to what love can do.

the most wonderful rescue ever!
The story of Tommy and Tyson's rescue at the start of the book is the most wonderful rescue story I have ever read! Lydia, who rescued Tommy and Tyson, is a hero and an angel. I wish I could thank her in person, and I strive to someday do something that wonderful! The rescue stories in this book are so inspiring!

Heh... Sure. If you ONLY KNEW.
You people need to WAKE UP! They are Satanists. I wouldn't give a dime after this read.

Go get educated: http://bestfriends.nexuswebs.net/home.html

Heartfelt, but poorly written
It's hard to go wrong with a story like Best Friends -- all the ingredients are there for a heartwarming and inspiring tale that any animal lover would crave; best of all, it really happened.

Unfortunately, Samantha Glen gets to tell the story and this is a perfect example why heart is not enough for good writing. I am amazed by her tendency to reconstruct entire conversations, as if she was actually there when all this happened. And then you have these awkward, "Michael inquired mildly" phrases punctuated throughout the text. Aaarrrggghh!!

I would have preferred more on the front end of the book about this amazing group of people and what brought them all together and kept them together about animals. The most central part of this book is glossed over and it's regrettable.

Worth reading, but I just wish a more sophisticated writer had tackled the subject. ... Read more

Book Description

In Cougar Attacks, Kathy Etling stands unflinching before the heated controversy that surrounds the debate over what should be done to protect both humans and cougars. What role do sport hunters play, or wildlife management programs? What is the anatomy of a cougar attack? Etling recounts their history from the earliest 1830s' reports to today's most recent incidents. She also offers advice on what you can do to protect yourself and your family if you ever encounter one. So pick up the chillingly gripping chronicles of man's terrifying encounters with one of north America's greatest predators. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 276 pages, chart) ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Truer words........
In reference to another reviewer in this listing, this specific book does a fine job of giving the reader a realistic view of the true nature of the cougar and it's interactions with humans in the present day. I live in a section of central coastal Oregon where the season is extended past the normal dates due to the amount of activity and damage from Cougars. We have to close down school yards, drive kids to school and essentially alter our daily routines (running,biking,walking pets etc..) to protect ourselves. There are "Cougar Drills" in our classrooms. While I understand the image folks have of "the bad hunters", were it not not for legislation limiting hunting these magnificent animals, we would in all probability, not be forced to deal with the current resurgence and growing numbers of mountain lions in such a negative way.

An annoying, poorly disguised pro-hunting book
This book is portrayed as an objective review of cougar attacks in North America. Unfortunately it's true goal comes out after a few pages when the book's main theme is revealed - that if only the hunting of mountain lions was allowed again, these terrbile attacks would not have happened. Of course, the real experts do not agree that this is the case, so all we have here is the self-serving opinion of the author being shoved down our throats. The author it turns out, is a hunter. While the book boasts a foreward by Harley Shaw, Shaw's words try to counter the author's intended message, attempting to play down the author's conclusions by pointing out that human attack by cougars is a rare thing indeed. If I had known this was a pro-hunting book written by a hunter, I would not have bought it. "Cat Attack" is a far more objective book.

The best book I have seen on this subject.
I live on Vancouver Island, the cougar capital of North America and this book was a real eye-opener for me. It is well-written and thoroughly researched and should be read by anyone who spends time in areas frequented by these magnificent cats. It not only gives a complete history of North American cougar attacks but gives solid useful advice if this ever happens to you. Highly recommended.

Jaws on Paws
Don't be confused when you see those lazy cougars in zoos, well fed swatting at flies with their tails. Kathy Etling paints a different picture of a skillful hunting and killing machine which kills with the same remorse we use when we down a Big Mac.These are not housepets you call 'kitty, kitty ' at when you see them. Chances are if you do see one its because you may be the main course tonight. This book is the ultimate authority on how surviviors escaped these predators in the past right up to today. It gives insight on the instincts of these large carnivores and is invaluable for anyone considering hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, or backpacking in remote areas. Not just in the mountains, cougars have been seen recently even in my home state of Missouri. Kathy Etling has done an excellent job compiling accounts and dispensing information on how you can most likely avoid one of these encounters of the worst kind. Even though she admits even if a person does all the right things still an attack may occur, it gives the outdoorman the knowledge what should be and more important, what definitely should not be done. Knowledge is power and as our two species encrouch more and more on each other attacks will occur more frequently. Like the deer, cougar populations are growing and man is destroying more and more of their habitat, forcing them to live closer to people. As they lose their natural fear of humans we all need to know how best to handle future encounter with these Jaws on Paws.

Scary, fascinating, and packed with good advice
It's hard to put this book down -- the author has done a terrific job of compiling an amazing array of details on cougar attacks, and each incident is more compelling to read about than the last. With development encroaching on wilderness areas at an increasingly rapid rate, this book is a must-read for more than the "outdoorsy" sorts who hike and camp in cougar country. Indeed, as many of the accounts demonstrate, a good number of attacks occur in semi-suburban areas that most would consider completely safe. I learned a gret deal about cougar behavior (Etling interviews expert biologists in the field) and have developed a new respect for and interest in these fascinating, beautiful animals. On the practical side, you'll also learn what to do if you find yourself being stalked -- useful information that makes this book more than worth the purchase price. ... Read more

Book Description

"Francione cogently argues that the Animal Liberation Movement, though using rights rhetoric and espousing the eradication of animal exploitation, actually represents a new, self-defeating welfarism because its tactics embody the animal welfare position. Consequently, the plight of animals is worse than it was twenty years ago."—Choice ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Crucial for Animal Rights Advocates
If you have embraced the idea that all sentient beings have fundamental rights--particularly the right not to be used exclusively as a resource--and have made the step to advocating on their behalf, this is the most important book you will ever read on the subject. Gary L. Francione's _Rain Without Thunder: The Ideology of the Animal Rights Movement_ literally woke me up and gave me the resources I needed to avoid the seriously harmful strategy of animal welfare and new welfare. Before reading it, I took part in "bigger cages" campaigns, thought that such advocacy was helpful in the short term and had a very strong desire to continue to do so. After reading Francione's extremely compelling theoretical arguments, empirical evidence and well evidenced practical implications of different advocacy methods, I had no choice but to reject welfarism and new-welfarism in favor of a clearly defined concept of animal rights. In a nutshell, Francione's central thesis in _Rain Without Thunder_ is as follows:

In everyday language with respect to human animals, the word "welfare" has very good connotations. However, in the areas of _law_ and _institutional policy_ with respect to non-human animals, words like "welfare," "humane," "care," "unnecessary suffering," and so on only mean _one_ thing. Namely, they mean that the interests of non-human animals will be protected only to the extent necessary to exploit them in an economically efficient manner. For example, in law and policy, the welfare of a pig not to starve is protected because it is necessary to feed the pig in order to get her or his meat. The same is necessarily true of every animal welfare law and regulation. Therefore, any advocacy that attempts to achieve animal rights and the abolition of animal exploitation in the long-term by using the supposedly short-term strategy of trying to pass welfare regulations achieves only _one_ thing. Namely, if those measures are implemented, it will be further ensured that the only interests of non-human animals that will ever be protected are those that are required to exploit them efficiently. In other words, the supposed "success" of implementing a welfare measure only further ensures that the interests of other animals that are not required to exploit them efficiently will *always* be violated in the most abhorrent ways imaginable. In short, welfare measures *only* harm non-human animals and never help them.

Again, before I read Francione's arguments and evidence, I found his claim to be counter-intuitive. If this describes your views on the subject, for the sake of non-human animals who are exploited everywhere, I urge you to read and seriously consider _Rain Without Thunder_. Francione offers an excellent practical alternative to welfarist advocacy that, if followed, will further the rights of other animals on a workable *incremental* basis. As an animal rights advocate, I am extremely grateful that this book exists.

Take another look at this book.
-- IT'S 2001. The "modern animal rights movement" is a quarter-century old. How far have the advocates for more humane policies come?

We are killing well over 9 billion animals for food each year in the U.S. alone (a significant increase from 1996, when this book was published). Leaders in the animal advocacy community are praising the virtues of fast-food burger joints, displaying Playboy magazines to Congressmembers to get their points across -- whatever those points might be -- and even condoning sex with the family pet as the antidotes to speciesism. The current malaise in which the community finds itself was predicted with striking foresight and accuracy five years ago, in this book.

Anyone who is interested in how to effectively strive for social justice and non-human rights might want to take another look at Rain Without Thunder. Upon a second reading, I'm finding it important on a level I could not have appreciated five years ago, simply due to the dynamics (or antics) of the current advocacy movement.

Moreover, the books deals with the incrementalist approach to liberation in a way that is historically sound. The more one reads about abolitionist history, the more one appreciates the integrity of this book.

Now more than ever, this is an essential book for serious advocates of non-human rights and social justice.

A Must Read!
This book is a must read for anyone who considers themselves a supporter of animal rights. Francione powerfully argues that the animal rights movement has spiraled down into a animal welfare movement--a movement that has failed horribly in the past. Please read this!

Important book for the modern animal rights activist.
In "Rain Without Thunder," Francione discusses the emergence of "new welfarists" who are doing the animals more harm than good. He meticulously lays out why animal welfare cannot lead to animal liberation. And argues a need for change. This book is a must read for all animal rights activists. Unfortunately you won't see it carried by mainstream "animal rights" (which GF calles the "new welfarists")organizations, because it is much too controversial!

An important and controversial book for animal activists
Rain Without Thunder is a penetrating look at howanimal rights activism without a clear understandingof important philosophical differences between animal rights and animal welfare has led to ineffective strategies which, Francione argues, serve only to more deeply entrench the speciesist paradigms that lead to animal oppression. Francione's insights are important not only for animal rights activists, but for everyone working for social justice. The first truly original animal rights book I have seen in a long time. Read it! ... Read more

Book Description

Take a spiritual safari…

Do you want to deepen your spiritual connection? Do you want to strengthen your bond with animals? What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality will help you unlock the secrets of the animal kingdom, provide intriguing perspectives on the complex relationships between nature and humans, and lead you to a greater awareness of yourself and the world around you. Respected animal behaviorist and therapist Diana L. Guerrero demonstrates the ways in which animals can teach us about:

Bringing Out the Best in Each Other Living in the Now Moving Beyond Fear Helping One Another Healing through Life Experiences Living by Example Embracing Change Positively Listening to the Unspoken Unconditional Acceptance Making Time to Play …and much more

With practical and meaningful advice, Guerrero will help you understand why animals touch the soul, and explore your own answer to the question: "Do animals have souls?"

"This book is a must for anyone who wants to know more about the inner workings of animals and to realize that, they too, are spiritual beings. For those of us who have pets, it’s an invaluable opportunity to communicate on a much deeper level." Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal You Life and Empowering Women.

"My animal companions have been an indispensable part of my own spiritual and emotional journey. This book is a beautiful and inspiring guide to deepening your relationship with the animals you love and learning how to receive the lessons and gifts they are here to bring you." Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D., author of Real Moments.

"In What Animals Can Teach Us About Spirituality, Diana L. Guerrero provides us with a heartfelt nexus connecting human spirituality and animal behavior in a new and soul stirring way." Dr. Larry Lachman, Animal Behavior Consultant and Author of Dogs on the Couch, Cats on the Counter, and Birds off the Perch.

"Animals can teach us much about spirituality, but so can Diana Guerrero. She is a knowing and compassionate guide into the deepest heart of the animal world. A warm and generous book." Gayle Brandeis, author of Fruitflesh and The Book of Dead Birds, Winner of the 2002 Bellwether Prize.

"These delightful stories and observations offer a keen insight into the connections we have with the animal kingdom, and remind us of the importance of those bonds." Barbara Davis, author of Darkside of Debonair: The Bushmeat Trade, Winner of the 2003 Benjamin Franklin Award and the Silver Medallion for popular fiction.

"With great insight and wisdom, Diana L. Guerrero translates her many years of experience working closely with animals into this splendid handbook, where scores of fascinating and often moving animal anecdotes are applied to seven levels of human spiritual development. This wise and valuable book reminds us that animals are the often-overlooked but very powerful guides to our own spirituality." Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air: Essential Ways of Connecting to Spirit.

" What Animals Can Teach Us About Spirituality will reveal more than that. It provides insights into the self and strengthens your spirituality whether animals are part of your life or not. And if you are an animal lover, it reinforces the bonds you already enjoy with animals, domestic and wild." Rita Robinson, co-author of Exploring Native American Wisdom. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Warm and Wonderful Read
A beautifully written glimpse into the psyche of both humans and animals. As a writer I enjoyed Ms Guerrero's descriptions of her personal interactions with both tame and wild animals and felt very much a part of her adventures. Prior to reading Diana's book I thought I knew my buddy, a 100lb Akita, very well. Now I not only notice my dog's subtle clues but have a greater understanding of their meaning. This is a "must read" for all lovers of the spiritual messages of nature.
Robena June Schaerf, author of Granton Manor and Morgan's Ridge

Learn From the Animals...
Don't think that Diana Guerrero advocates a new spiritual fad in advocating that we humans emulate animals. Aesop knew you can't be a human in dog's clothing. Guerrero asks us to stop, turn off the computer, TV, cell phone, and most of all our mental noise, and get attuned to the fundamentals through our animal teachers. She strikes the right balance between addressing humans' shortcomings and addressing the positive and negative qualities of animals. Authoritative, with intelligent discourse on nature, zoology, animal and human behavior, and religious teachings, this book is a great addition to your library as you search for higher meaning.

Thoughtful adventure
Diana's book is a gift to all of us who are not as animal savvy as we should be. This book came to me just as I aquired a new little kitten. This isn't a book on animal "How To's", but rather a journey to understanding animal behavior. I found it to be an inspiration to me with respect to raising and understanding my kitten. This book is well thought out and very well written. Thank you Diana. Kathy London

A Reminder of the Profound Interconnection of Life
Ms. Guerrero has a magical way with animals and with words. I found her book to be an easy and enjoyable read - reminding me of the profound interconnection of life and the incredible wisdom to be learned from our fellow creatures. I loved the personal, heartwarming stories she shares to illustrate the lessons.

FABulous book for any animal lover or spiritual seeker!
This book is a great collection of stories about animals and their humans--and how animals have helped them. Chapter 8 is a valuable handbook that helps develop a better understanding of animals and improve your relationships with ALL animals.

Chapters include:
Preface: Becoming a Spiritual Animal
Loyalty of the Dog
Playfulness of the Otter
Power of the Polar Bear
Heart of the Lion
Call of the Wolf
Mind of the Dolphin
Wisdom of the Owl
Afterword: Creatures of the Divine

The book is very touching. In it the author shares her insights--which is no small task as she has worked with wild and domestic animals for over twenty-five years. She reveals many interesting animal behavior secrets and her own stories, too. (I cried when I read the Afterword when the author talks about animal souls and her journey with her beloved, Clyde.) I've purchased a bunch to give as gifts and recommend that you do, too!

Don't miss this book! ... Read more

Book Description

For twenty years Dan O’Brien struggled to make ends meet on his cattle ranch in South Dakota. But when a neighbor invited him to lend a hand at the annual buffalo roundup, O’Brien was inspired to convert his own ranch, the Broken Heart, to buffalo. Starting with thirteen calves, “short-necked, golden balls of wool,” O’Brien embarked on a journey that returned buffalo to his land for the first time in more than a century and a half.

Buffalo for the Broken Heart is at once a tender account of the buffaloes’ first seasons on the ranch and an engaging lesson in wildlife ecology. Whether he’s describing the grazing pattern of the buffalo, the thrill of watching a falcon home in on its prey, or the comical spectacle of a buffalo bull wallowing in the mud, O’Brien combines a novelist’s eye for detail with a naturalist’s understanding to create an enriching, entertaining narrative. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The "Noble Life" O'Brien-Style
O'Brien's quest for meaning in life, as defined by his relationship with the land and the animals that call it home, continues here. In his previous novel, Equinox, he explored the dichotomy in his life between the pull of the wild, and the demands of a stable relationship that required more than he was able to give. In Buffalo for the Broken Heart, we find him feeling lost and ruddlerless, both in his personal and financial life, as he struggles to get past a failed marriage and looming financial disaster.

As O'Brien gradually comes to the conclusion that buffalo are the logical answer to his dilemma, it becomes clear that they are stand for a balance and wholeness he has been trying to restore to his land and his inner landscape as well. The story, as it unfolds, is full of the personal details of Great Plains life, and the honest self-exploration that make O'Brien's books a pleasure to read. As so often happens, his inner doubts and fears are reflected in the events and lives around him. The weather is unpredictable, farm costs rise, friends go bankrupt, he is beset by worries over the buffalos he has purchased, the list goes on and on until by the end of the novel, O'Brien comes to tenuous terms with his land and his new means of making a living. The buffalo are not the final answer, but it is clear that they have helped him find another piece of the puzzle he is working so hard to solve.

For one bison runner to another
As a bison rancher myself, I think Dan O'brien does an excellent job of seeing the buffalo through the eyes of both a cattle rancher and a wildlife expert while tying it all together with the social life of the small ranch owner on the edge of a bigger town in Northern Plains. He observantly notes some things about bison that make them stand out from cattle - like their herding instinct, the willingness of young bulls to take on older bulls no matter the odds, how a bison never gives up, and how protective the herd is during calving season. This is an excellent book for the layman and the experienced rancher. Dan himself is a fascinating person as well as shown by his bringing in his Falconry skills and some of the politics of endangered species recovery.

Great gift for Father's Day
I just call my friend who insisted that I read this book and thanked her. Great story. Very educational. History, biology, nature, a challenged life. I'm ordering 3 for gifts, graduation, father's day and teen's birthday. Now on to his other books...........

Reinventing Ranching - and One's Life - on the Great Plains
O'Brien writes a well-crafted, non-glamorized story about trying to make a living off the formerly open, now fenced in, South Dakota range. O'Brien's step-by-step resurrection of his 3,000 acre ranch from a money-losing, environmentally unsound cow factory to a range-restoring, natural buffalo breeding, harvesting and meat marketing operation. Interspersed with the buffalo raising saga are wildlife vignettes, descriptions of hunting with falcons, interactions with neighbors and town folks and snatches of the history of O'Brien's ranch from the Sioux through several families of failed farmers/ranchers over the past hundred years.

One unusual aspect for this kind of book, arguably an "environmental" tract, is the description and associated stresses of the business and economic details of making a living in ranching in the 1990s. It's also an encouraging story of how a middle age man, living alone since his wife left and relying on a hired hand, redeems and reinvents his life under extremely difficult circumstances.

Recommended for anyone interested in ecological/sustainable agriculture issues, rural American life, entrepreneurial business tales or midlife turnarounds.

Talented writer shares his life with readers
In his latest book, "Buffalo for the Broken Heart," Dan O'Brien lets the reader accompany him as he switches from raising cattle to raising buffalo. In spite of worrying about how to pay for the stock, getting along with neighbors, the weather and other trials, O'Brien radiates confidence. His descriptions of the buffalo are authentic. I, too, have been captivated by these huge creatures having seen them closeup at the Custer State Park Roundup. O'Brien's prose is a joy to read. And educational too, whether he is describing how he built a fence on his property, survived a severe winter, or provides insight about his Great Plains neighbors and their emotional attachment to land and livestock. A biologist and English teacher, he writes from the heart. ... Read more

Book Description

The latest edition of this classic text, now in a larger format with improved artwork, continues to provide a clear and comprehensive introduction to the science and practice of animal nutrition. Animal Nutrition covers four main areas.

Chapters 1-9 explain the basic chemistry and biochemistry of feed constituents, digestion and metabolism; Chapters 10-18 evaluate the energy and nutrient content of feedstuffs and discuss the assessment of nutritional requirements and ration formulation; Chapters 19-25 describe the characteristics of commonly used feedstuffs such as forages, concentrates and by-products; and the Appendix provides comprehensive tables on the composition of foods and feeding standards for dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, and horses.

The text is supported by key experimental evidence throughout. Quantitative aspects of the subject are clearly explained and illustrated by worked examples. For chapters dealing with the calculation of rations, problems and solutions have now been added to aid student learning. New features for the sixth edition: New chapter on Animal Nutrition and the Consumers of Animal Products addressing contemporary concerns for safety ... Read more