From School Library Journal
YA?A companion to humankind from its earliest days, the rat has left an indelible imprint on humans and history. Seen from differing perspectives, it appears in many dichotomies: from abhorrent enemy to personal pet, or from scientific instrument to carriers of death, just to name a few. Hodgson gives scientific facts about these animals; countless quotes about rats from myriad literary sources; engravings of medieval rats; and pictures and photos of rats from movies and comics. Unfortunately, the details in a map meant to show the spread of rats across the world and throughout history is too small and unclear to be useful. The bibliography includes books, periodicals, interviews, and image sources, making this book an ideal place to begin additional research. Fascinating graphics matched with the easy-to-read information should appeal to reluctant readers as well as students of history or science. A factual look at rats and the history they share with humanity.?Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Rats abound in this aptly subtitled, wonderfully creepy celebration of one of nature's least appealing creatures, a book whose charm is not unlike that of a favorite frightening movie scene lovingly seen and recalled again and again, for each turn of the page scares, shocks, or thrills anew. Here are rat vignettes from many disparate sources, including George Orwell's
Homage to Catalonia, Erich Maria Remarque's
All Quiet on the Western Front, and Pliny's
Natural History, to name a few (the bibliography is quite a treat, too). Rat myths are debunked, "rat vocabulary" (really a rat glossary) is illuminated, and, generally, rat culture is explored. The illustrations constitute a treasure trove of creepy clip art and may be the most extraordinary feature of this singular collection that does, indisputably, "show just how deep our fascination for this repellent rodent is."
Mike Tribby
