The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint [Paperback]

Ph.D. Marc Bekoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2010

In this inspirational call to action, Marc Bekoff, the world’s leading expert on animal emotions, gently shows that improving our treatment of animals is a matter of rethinking our many daily decisions and “expanding our compassion footprint.” He demonstrates that animals experience a rich range of emotions, including empathy and compassion, and that they clearly know right from wrong. Driven by moral imperatives and pressing environmental realities, Bekoff offers six compelling reasons for changing the way we treat animals — whether they’re in factory farms, labs, circuses, or our vanishing wilderness. The result is a well-researched, informative guide that will change animal and human lives for the better.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A collaborator with legendary primatologist Jane Goodall and the 2000 winner of the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society, author and Colorado University professor Bekoff (The Emotional Lives of Animals) lays out the "unique responsibilities" of human beings, as "moral agents," to overcome speciesism and recognize animals "as fellow sentient, emotional beings," with all the attendant rights that implies. Taking examples from everyday life-from rodeos and circuses to word-processors that replace "who" with "that" when referring to animals-Bekoff illustrates the lengths to which humans go to convince themselves animals don't think, feel, and suffer like we do. Concerning a topic of growing popularity, Bekoff's arguments can be less than rigorous; an "unwavering optimist and dreamer," he focuses more on anecdotes and emotions ("alienation from nature... kills our hearts") than practicalities or a concrete agenda. Instead, Bekoff encourages readers to start simply, by being "mindful" in their interactions with animals. Addressing a weighty issue with gentle but insistent charm, Bekoff's manifesto will nudge skeptics in the direction of enlightenment (assuming anyone but the choir is buying copies).
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From Booklist

Following the premises that animals both feel and convey emotion, are capable of actions that are motivated by compassion, and exhibit attitudes of kindness and empathy, preeminent ethologist and prolific author Bekoff comprehensively posits that the time has come for humans to return the favor. Just as environmental activists advocate reducing one’s carbon footprint in order to live more responsibly, Bekoff argues that expanding one’s compassion footprint, that is, treating animals more humanely, can have equally beneficial consequences. Supporting current scientific research with a wide range of anecdotal evidence, Bekoff outlines six guiding principles designed to increase awareness of the deplorable conditions animals experience across a broad spectrum of activities. From food production to circus acts, drug testing to wildlife encroachment, animals have long been considered objects to be manipulated for the express pleasure and benefit of humans. Unabashedly speaking on their behalf, Bekoff presents impassioned reasons why, and explicit ways in which, such destructive behaviors should stop. --Carol Haggas

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577316495
• ISBN-13: 978-1577316497
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Animal Rights

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for all!, March 31, 2010

By 

V Belt "Educator" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint (Paperback)

Marc Bekoff's latest endeavor is brilliant as it brings to light our need to do better when it comes to our relationships with animals. By weaving stories about humans and animals throughout this manifesto, he makes the read interesting and enjoyable, yet helps us see where we've gone wrong and lets us know how by just expanding our "compassion footprint" we can make things right again. This book should be required reading for all so that we can indeed begin to reshape our world as we come to realize that: "Animals aren't third-class citizens; they're nations of beings who deserve dignity and respect."

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this!, March 27, 2010

By 

Tracie P - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint (Paperback)

This book is beautifully written! Marc Bekoff shares stories and facts about animals, and their right to freedom. It illustrates what animals would write if they could. I am going to pass this book on to my friends, and read it again!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Work About Animals, March 28, 2010

By 

William Strickland, Ph.D. "Senior Scientist, ... (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint (Paperback)

A great general review and a must read for animal lovers. I learned much and it was inspiring to read it.