- Hardcover: 464 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (Oct 15 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0312261470
- ISBN-13: 978-0312261474
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 771 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#684,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #27 in Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Research & Ethics
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of animal welfare. Scully, a journalist and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, chooses to fight on his own ground, and he rightly argues that the important thing is not insisting upon equal "rights" for animals but in treating them with a modicum of respect and dignity. His book is as close as a philosophy can come to representing "animal rights" goals while not proclaiming animals to be equal in status to humans, as do classic works like Peter Singer's Animal Liberation. As a journalist, Scully personally investigated several major animal industries, including those of hunting, whaling, and factory farming. He asks penetrating questions and shows the logical and political inconsistencies used to defend cruel industries. Although some may balk at the author's sarcasm, it adds an emotional element to his unequaled depth of insight. Scully has a remarkable grasp of the issues and a unique perspective on our societal treatment of animals. Every library should purchase this book. Highly recommended.
John Kistler, Utah State Univ. Lib., Logan
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
John Kistler, Utah State Univ. Lib., Logan
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Increasing media coverage of troubling trends in animal mistreatment, from genetic cloning and experimentation to factory farming, has heightened the moral imperative to examine how humans use and treat animals, according to Scully. He quotes a wide variety of sources--including the Bible, other famous literature, debates in British parliament, and conversations at a hunter's convention--to provide a wide spectrum of views on the uses of animals and whether they possess consciousness and the ability to feel pain. Scully takes note of our arbitrary, often contradictory approach to the treatment of animals, from objections to experimentation on animals and bans on wearing furs to the blithe consumption of burgers and steaks. He traces the history of the animal rights movement and its philosophical underpinnings and argues for a balance between the cruel and cavalier treatment of animals and the more radical notions of the animal rights movement. Scully is sensitive and insightful without being sentimental. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Whether of natural or supernatural origin, the moment that humanity acquired reason and language we were set apart forever from the natural world, and nothing was ever the same. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Whether of natural or supernatural origin, the moment that humanity acquired reason and language we were set apart forever from the natural world, and nothing was ever the same. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Is A Wonderful Start!,
By
Ce commentaire est de: Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy (Hardcover)
I'm not a very good writer of reviews, but I did want to comment about this book - so I'll risk the public humiliation offer my thoughts.Matthew Scully is clearly a deeply compassionate human being, and I'm so very happy that he had the guts to write this book. I'm sure he's probably had many opportunites to regret it (though I doubt he did even so). I felt for him throughout the book because I know that a good percentage of people will refuse to even pick this book up (probably out of fear) - and of those that do, a good percentage won't be able to open their minds (hearts) to the message. I've always been aware of the horrors of the factory farm and laboratory; however, I was not aware of the extent of cruelty and greed in the hunting industry - it made me indignant. I think this book is an important start considering the climate we currently live in. I personally feel simply eliminating cruelty in factory farms is not enough; however, at least that is something that might be possible - to some degree anyway (whereas eliminating the slaughter of animals for food is probably never going to happen ever). I hope this Matthew Scully will write more. People seem to warm to his writing style. I've given this book to many aquaintances to read, and they all came back with a new perspective on their reality - and they were happy for it. I think it would be great for everyone to read this book - then each person could judge for themselves what they want to get from it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreaking, yet makes a great gift!,
By "mikeypharmd" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
Ce commentaire est de: Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy (Paperback)
As a vegetarian and animal protectionist my knowledge of the way we treat animals in America is what I would call "hard core". Reading this book, however, opened my eyes to additional aspects of animal profiteering that were heartbreaking. The first two chapters of the book had the greatest affect on me, and I'm not embarassed to admit that they made me cry. The best part about this book is that it isn't directed toward people like me who are already informed about a lot of the issues, but more towards the "common American" who uses animal products out of habit and doesn't really even think twice about it. After reading Dominion, I bought ten copies of this book, and used them as Christmas presents for my parents, aunts, and cousins. This is a great way to introduce yourself or someone you care about to the deplorable way that corporate America and the political elite treat animals in this country. I HIGHLY recommend it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most effective book on the subject,
By A Customer
Ce commentaire est de: Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy (Paperback)
Matthew Scully's book lays out the important stuff. He's not interested in taking an ideological stand or labeling himself a "rights" person or a "welfare" person. Instead, he goes right to the heart of the matter of human morality and character in our relations with other creatures. Whatever your vocation, whether you're a hunter or a farmer or a scientist or a student or just a consumer and nothing else, you'll get something out of this book. It'll give you something to think about. It's a special pleasure to read someone who writes so eloquently. Most of the time, you'll be carried along by his haunting and beautiful prose. I used this book as a teaching tool in my philosophy class, and it was far more effective to convey the important stuff about human morality towards animals than anything else I've used. My students lapped it up, found it immensely readable, and it made them think. Particularly effective, I think, is the way Scully speaks to the whole person--the spiritual, emotional as well as keenly rational--rather than just the latter. So, one responds with one's whole being. This book gets under your skin and stays there. Highly recommended for everyone.
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