The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love [Hardcover]

Jane Goodall (Author), Marc Bekoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 2002

World-renowned behavioural scientists Jane Goodall and Marc Bekoff have set forth ten trusts that we must honour as custodians of the planet. They argue passionately and persuasively that if we put these trusts to work in our lives, the earth and all its inhabitants will be able to live together harmoniously. The Ten Trusts expands the concept of our obligation to live in close relationship with animals -- for, of course, we humans are part of the animal kingdom -- challenging us to respect the interconnection between all living beings as we learn to care about and appreciate all species. The world is changing. We are gradually becoming more aware of the damage we are inflicting on the natural world. At this critical moment for the earth, Goodall and Bekoff share their hope and vision of a world where human cruelty and hatred are transformed into compassion and love for all living beings. They dream of a day when scientists and non-scientists can work together to transform the earth into a place where human beings live in peace and harmony with animals and the natural world. Simple yet profound, The Ten Trusts will not only change your perspective regarding how we live on this planet, it will establish your responsibilities as a steward of the natural world and show you how to live with respect for all life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Goodall (My Life with Chimpanzees; Reason for Hope) and Bekoff, a biology professor at the Univ. of Colorado, offer a prescriptive conservation plan designed to protect animals as well as help educate people about the importance of saving both animals and the environment. The authors, who have also worked on Roots & Shoots, an international service program for young people, explain their position by including personal recollections and statistical evidence. Their position that people have chosen to destroy both animals and habitats and will continue to do so unless they radically change their behavior is stressed throughout the book: "It is sad to have to put a monetary value on the wilderness and on animal species. But until the wealthy nations can agree to pay an annual `rent' on huge areas of land, it seems likely that governments in the developing world will exploit their natural resources in any way they can...." The steps to action, including "Praise and Help Those Who Work For Animals and the Natural World" and "Value and Help Preserve the Sounds of Nature," are sound. For example, having children work with animal protection programs has already been successfully tried. Suggesting that kids "adopt" animal programs by making monetary donations is also practical. The book is particularly likely to interest people already active in environmental causes.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Hiking through the mountains of Colorado, Bekoff found inspiration for a series of exhortations that he and Goodall believe would drastically improve all animal life (humans included) if enough people took action. Among the 10 trusts are "Rejoice that we are part of the animal kingdom"; "Refrain from harming life in order to learn about it"; and "Have the courage of our convictions." A blend of anecdotes and scientific data illustrates why each trust is important. Informal in style, the book leisurely goes back and forth between authors, creating a conversational feel that works nicely. Plenty of primate stories from Goodall are intermingled with dog tales from canine-loving Bekoff. Particularly riveting are his accounts of his personal involvement with animal experiments. Along with what is cited in the text, the section on sources includes more than a dozen pages of books, articles, and Web sites. Here, readers who are already familiar with animal-rights issues will find fuel for their fire, and those who are not are likely to experience an awakening. Without a doubt, Goodall and Bekoff are very good at tugging at the heartstrings while feeding the mind. Eco-warriors will adore this one.
Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (October 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062517570
• ISBN-13: 978-0062517579
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Animal Behavior & Communication

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rebuilding Our Ethics Through Trust, November 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love (Hardcover)

Dr. Jane Goodall and Dr. Marc Bekoff have compiled ideas, stories, experience and much more about living a humane and ethical life into a book accessible to all. As the animal protection community has done for 50 years, this book shows that humans must respect the environment and all life if we, as a species, expect to survive. It is a very simple premise yet humanity has yet to catch on. The Ten Trusts not only gives us a path to follow, but it shows how others have acted before in trying to alter destructive patterns. Caring for others (animals, humans and nature) is not something radical, it is - humane! It is something everyone must do.

Goodall and Bekoff share their experiences from living a life of compassion and a boundless ethic. Few people are as well known and respected as Jane Goodall, but she has never rested on her fame. Instead, she stepped away from her field research and beloved friends in Gombe National Park, not to build monetary wealth, but to share her wealth of knowledge with young and old alike through lectures and programs such as Roots and Shoots. While Bekoff has spent years educating a more humane youth at the University of Colorado, all while helping us to better understand and appreciate animal behavior.

Over the last two years the Bush administration has systematically deconstructed even basic protections for the environment in order to please corporate greed. The Ten Trusts talks about many issues, one of which will certainly reappear following recent elections, is the drilling for oil in Alaska's ANWR. Even though the American public is opposed to destroying the last pristine environment, the Administration hopes to lull us into a belief that it is needed.

This does not have to be. Goodall, who revolutionized how humans think about other species through her work with chimpanzees and Bekoff, who is a leader in showing us that the minds of animals are as unique and complex as ours, have concisely gathered a wonderful set of ethics into an easily readable book. A book that everyone should read because it shows how we really can and MUST be compassionate.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving, enlightening, reaffirming book., October 23, 2002

By 

Laurie Ulrich Fuller (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book, filled with information and perspectives from which everyone will benefit. I recommend this book to "the converted" as well as to those who are unsure what all the vegetarians and animal-rights people are going on about. It's not a preachy book and it's not purely for animal lovers or "tree-huggers" -- it's a book for any human who cares (even slightly) about how his or her life affects other lives--the life of the planet and the lives of the animals (including humans) who live on it. I cannot imagine anyone who could read this book and not be affected by it. It's also very encouraging to read about the success of Ms. Goodall's Roots & Shoots program -- hopefully, the generations touched by her knowledge will do a better job than we have.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Global Essential, May 28, 2004

By 

Jay Pierson (Santa Fe, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love (Hardcover)

Of the many books I have read dealing with environmental issues, this has had a major impact. The authors have tremendous credibility and scientific knowledge. If ever there was a canary in the mine, it is this book. We have plundered our planet, ignored the quality of life for other sentient beings, and have failed to see the need for a balance in nature and our own lives.
There are messages here that all should heed. But, most of all, there is hope if we pay attention.
Our current U.S. and world leadership has failed our planet. Hopefully, there are those who can steer the world back on course.
Thank you Jane and Marc.
Jay Pierson
Georgetown, Texas