Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of the Humane Society of the United States [Paperback]

Bernard Oreste Unti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0965894282 | ISBN-13: 978-0965894289

In 1954, when The Humane Society of the United States was founded by a small handful of visionaries, the modern concept of animal welfare barely existed. Fifty years later, The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization and a leader in the parallel rise of the modern animal welfare movement. Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of The Humane Society of the United States is the saga of the journey toward a truly humane society.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernard Unti received his doctorate in history in 2002 from American University. He is a contributor to The State of the Animals: 2001 and The State of the Animals II: 2003.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Humane Society of the U S (February 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965894282
• ISBN-13: 978-0965894289
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough treatment, February 18, 2005

By 

James Sanford (Providence, R.I.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of the Humane Society of the United States (Paperback)

Bernard Unti's book on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) comes out as the HSUS celebrates its 50th anniversary. The founding of the Society in 1954 was a turning point in the history of animal protection. Although other societies such as the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) had existed regionally since the end of the Civil War, the HSUS was the movement's first truly national organization, with a mandate to set out a broad agenda on animal protection, take on certain neglected controversial issues, and affect federal legislation.

Unti's work sets a very high standard for this kind of study. It deals with the Society's important efforts, at times frustrations, in addressing the issues of the second half of the 20th century, notably the use of animals in scientific research and the enduring issues of the slaughterhouse, trapping, and the substandard treatment of animals in zoos and entertainment. To its credit, the book does not shy away from controversy. Some of its most interesting insights touch upon friction among different organizations, radical trends in the animal rights movement, and growing pains within the HSUS itself. All of these provide a historian's view of a dynamic and changing movement seen through the perspective of one of its key organizations. This is a great introduction to an important segment of contemporary activism.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging, frank, and essential account..., May 15, 2005

By 

Tree sparrow (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of the Humane Society of the United States (Paperback)

I heartily second the thorough and positive assessment by the reviewer from Providence, RI. I only wish to add that when the palpable passion of a movement's agents of change is presented with such unflinching honesty about their successes and failures, history becomes a formidable torch to light the path of their present day counterparts.

The author definitely delivers as he masterfully escorts the reader through the trials and triumphs of the era, both sharing and inviting critical scrutiny of events and outcomes. The depth and balance of the account give it the power to inspire, as well as enlighten, and thus, to play its own part in the unfolding story of the movement to transform how animals are viewed and treated. Definitely a fascinating and worthwhile read, as well as a thoughtful gift for anyone who cares about animal issues.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For Those Who Would Be Adequately Informed, January 10, 2012

By 

C. Abrahamson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of the Humane Society of the United States (Paperback)

Protecting All Animals: A Fifty-Year History of The Humane Society of the United States by Bernard Unti

If you have read articles about the HSUS or heard people talk about the organization, pro or con, and if you advocate for animals on any level, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

The book is highly detailed and well documented plus it has lots of pictures of the men and women who helped take the HSUS from it beginning with 4 founding members to the nation's largest and most effective humane organization.

The book explains HSUS policy of directing resources based on the number of animals suffering, the extent to which they suffer, whether other agencies are already working on the issue and what can be done to improve things for the animals involved.

This 50 year history of the HSUS, as it took on issues that were beyond the scope of other organizations, provides a look at the conditions that have been the source of suffering for animals on many fronts.

Read the book and find out what the supporters of the HSUS have known for a long time and what the opponents of the HSUS hope you will never find out.