Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: animal entertainment, fashion victims, pet connection, Karen Dawn, United States, New York Times (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Animal rights activist Dawn is familiar to readers of her memorable opinion pieces for the Washington Post as well as her daily e-newsletter DawnWatch, but her first book should gain her a wider audience. This is a cogent and thoroughly researched overview of all the major issues in animal rights, past and present, She defines animal rights more loosely than some would like, focusing on the general movement to advance the interest of animals and discourage the use of animals as objects of commerce. Her goal is to tell you everything you wanted to know about animal rights—but were afraid to get into a fight about—and to let you weigh that information against your own values, and she succeeds admirably. Often supplying hilarious but pointed illustrations and quotes from well-known animal lovers such as Bill Maher and Natalie Portman, she illuminates the use of animals as pets, entertainment, food, in scientific testing and the Green movement. This has the potential to become a big hit for a general reading audience that wants to know what the fuss is about animal rights, as well as the many college students at the forefront of animal rights activism. (Feb. 26)
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Review

"In an age, and in a medium, in which people seem to be content with quick clichés and approximations, Karen Dawn writes a lucid, restrained, and accurate prose that could be held up as a model to her profession. Her work treads that fine line between the provocative and the counterproductively undiplomatic assuredly." -- -- Disgrace author JM Coetzee, winner of 2003 Nobel Prize for Literature

"THANKING THE MONKEY is fun, and it will give people information they wish they had all their lives. I can't wait to give one to everybody I know. It is going to change the world." -- -- Rory Freedman, co-author of the New York Times number one bestseller Skinny Bitch

"Vegetarianism was a source of Gandhi's successful non-violence, and cruelty to animals is a predictor of everything from domestic violence to serial killing. With wisdom and insight, Karen Dawn introduces readers to the fact that animal rights are an organic part of social justice movements everywhere. Her book is a bridge between worlds for both the committed and the curious." -- -- Gloria Steinem

"Give this book to someone you know who doesn't know." -- -- David Duchovny

"I am sick of being ignorant! This book is education with a smile, information with a kiss from a dog who just drank out of a toilet, and should be required reading for all college students." -- -- Anthony Kiedis, Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Karen Dawn discusses how people from all standpoints on animal rights can find common ground -- REVIEW

"Sensitive and informative . . . Dawn’s view is not only uniquely free of overt sensationalism but factual . . . . Dawn manages, despite the seriousness of the subject matter, to intersperse bits of humor throughout, primarily through cartoons. A riveting text you’ll be sure to want to read." -- Library Journal

"Witty and well-researched . . . Despite the gravity of the subject, Dawn is mercifully un-didactic throughout, cutting grim facts with whimsical cartoons, celebrity cameos and feel-good stories. A-" -- Washington Post

"[A]n easily digested, sound-bite-laden primer to all sides and gradations of the crusade for animal rights . . . An excellent introduction." -- Booklist

"[C]ogent and thoroughly researched...[Dawn’s] goal is ‘to tell you everything you wanted to know about animal rights—but were afraid to get into a fight about -- and to let you weigh that information against your own values,’ and she succeeds admirably." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061351857
• ISBN-13: 978-0061351853
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,811 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's all the Fuss about Animal Rights?, April 30, 2008

By	Christina Florida (Florida) - See all my reviews

What brilliance! It is by far the best, most practical, balanced, logical, and well written book on animal rights and animal welfare I have ever come across. I have read many. Karen Dawn writes that it's not "all or nothing" that there are compassionate steps we all can make -- every one of us. It answered all my questions about many areas of animal abuse I wasn't aware of. It's important to know what your money supports when you patron places like Sea World or the Circus. How about that fur collar? It might come from a dog or cat. It might be labeled fake, but really be from a domesticated animal. What about the horse meat industry? Cattle ranching supports horse slaughter. Love horses? Don't eat cows. Seriously. It's all connected.

All people, meat eaters too, can take steps to help animals live better. You learn about this in a very, very insightful way with humor and compassion. There's no name calling or holier than thou in this book. Karen rocks!

It's not about perfection, it's about progression.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommended!, May 11, 2008

By	finnscribe (Hollywood, California) - See all my reviews

If you're looking for a comprehensive and easy-to-read introduction into animal rights issues, this book is great. Karen Dawn juxtaposes a wealth of funny and moving anecdotes with top-notch research, witty commentary, hilarious cartoons, and a parade of guest appearances by pop culture icons. Will make you both laugh *and* think.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing, July 9, 2008

By	Alaskan Reader (Alaska, United States) - See all my reviews

This book could have been written in a overly-dramatic, highly inflamatory way; however, it is carefully written, balanced, and even manages to use humor in at most unexpected places. Once you know, you can never go back to looking at milk, eggs, meat, fur, pets, circuses the same way ... and it's all for the good. Why not seek to move through this world with great awareness and compassion for all life with whom we share the planet?