Customer Reviews

The Pawprints of History: Dogs and the Course of Human Events

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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This interesting book discusses the relationships between several noteable people and their dogs. At least one cynical Washington D.C. politician said that "if you want someone to love you in this town, buy a dog," and you will find he was not the first one to conjure up that thought. The author shows how people such as Florence Nightingale, Frederick the Great, Robert Burns, and Sigmund Freud were all warmly touched by the positive side of their dogs. These people, who somehow seemed so intensely boring in History class, never seemed so human as when interacting with their dogs. Dogs have served as companions for many others who needed a consistent friend, and they often served as inspirations for those who enriched our artistic and aesthetic lives (perhaps because they were so cheerful and so honest). Oh, by the way, the author gives us some pretty interesting lessons in history and the arts, too, so this story is not just about the canids. If you are looking for a good book to curl up with, and read to, your animal companions, give this one a try.

I am an avid reader, history buff and dog lover. This book is wonderful and appealed to me in many ways. This book brings history to life by turning historical figures into real people. It also tells many stories that show how dogs have not only been a part of history, but have influenced it as well.

I can't remember when I enjoyed a book more. It was insightful, fascinating, and difficult to put down. Surprisingly easy to read, I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who owns or loves dogs. I would also recommend it to history buffs or to those who want to read about famous people and events from a slightly different perspective. What a terrific read!

Dogs are my passion, in this wonderfully written book I've found that I am in GREAT company. It was well written, some of the stories could have been shorter. But it made me laugh and cry, and after almost every chapter I was amazed at what I didn't know about the people in the chapter. The research was extensive for this book. So if you love dogs and you love history you will really love this book.

This is an excellent and well-researched book describing how humans and dogs have interacted through history. It includes a wealth of interesting information about both individual and societal attitudes towards dogs and how those attitudes impacted events. Although the book is about the role of dogs in history, the stories humanize historical events by showing how compassion towards or fear of dogs affected individual people and societies. Great book.

This book is more a bon bon than anything substantial. But if you like dogs, you'll find this book a hoot. The premise is simple: dogs have had an impact on history.

The book commences with a chapter on dogs as sentinels. Thereafter, we read stories of the role of dogs in the lives of people as varied as Saint Patrick, Sigmund Freud, Richard Wagner, Charles I, Alexander Graham Bell, George Washington, Sir Walter Scott, Frederick the Great, Christopher Columbus, George Armstrong Custer, and so on.

In the last chapter, the author asks the question (page 291): "If dogs have had such an influence on human culture and history, it is quite reasonable to ask, why is it that we don't see canine contributions cited in standard political, social, and cultural histories?" The author provides no definitive answer, but his book is a lot of fun to read. Dog lovers will enjoy seeing "The Pawprints of History." One caution: There are a number of very bad factual errors in the chapter on General George Custer; this at least raises in my mind the accuracy of historical accounts elsewhere. But this is still an enchanting book.

Stanley Coren thoroughly researches his subject so the reader is never short changed on content. The stories of these dogs and their humans are truly fascinating and will both deepen your respect for canines and broaden your knowledge of many historical figures! I've gifted this book to several dog loving friends and the feedback is always positive. Whether your pet is a purebred or a mutt, you'll recognize how your own canine contributes to and enriches YOUR life. If you're a fan of history, then you'll also appreciate how dogs have influenced the decisions and behaviors of human figures who have shaped our world. A wonderful book to read and treasure!

I am throughly enjoying reading Pawprints of History. It is very insightful and easy reading about how dogs helped shape events and people of history. I have recently also picked up other Stanley Coren books- How To Speak Dog and the How Dogs Think. Mr. Coren is delightful and his love of dogs shines through in his work!!! Not to be missed.

Entertaining anecdotes, but not really what it promises. It's more a collection of famous people and their beloved dogs with a few notes (some of them are real stretches) about how the author believes the dogs might have affected them. Not particularly convincing, but sweet.

I liked this book a lot. I have learned many things from it. It has very interesting facts.