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.
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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).
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By V Belt
Format: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."
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Tracie P
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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!!!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth considering for animal lovers and those who want them treated better
April 12, 2010
Format:Paperback
Empathy is a trait shared by all animals, human or otherwise. "The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint" is a discussion of how humanity can treat its neighbors in the animal kingdom better than we do today. Stating that humanity needs to expand its compassion footprint towards animals of all sorts be they wild, domesticated, or farmed, Marc Bekoff states that this compassion will do wonders for both humanity and its fellow animals. "The Animal Manifesto" is well worth considering for animal lovers and those who want them treated better.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad but True
A really good book that makes one think and also makes one want to relate to animals on a different level.
Published 1 month ago by Belinda Burton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marc Bekoff book on The Animal Manifesto purchased via amazon.com-----
Aniother wonderful book by Marc Bekoff about animals and the human experience of compassion concerning them, timely delivery, great pricing, good packaging ----- I have several of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. Plowman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Important topic, so-so delivery
As a five-year + vegan for animal rights reasons, I couldn't agree more with the author's premise. Our capacity for empathy and compassion is often missing in how we treat... Read more
Published 4 months ago by morehumanthanhuman
4.0 out of 5 stars
An important book examines our relationship with & compassion for...
I purchased this book for the library system due to its immense popularity a couple of years ago when one copy went missing and someone was recommending it be purchased. Read more
Published 4 months ago by SYBIL BLAZEJ-YEE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this book!
I consider myself an animal lover. I'm on the board of Friends of Bonobos, an NGO that supports bonobo conservation in Congo. I put out bird seed in winter. Read more
Published on July 16, 2010 by Vanessa R. Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feeling much gratitude
The first few pages of Marc Bekoff's book drew me in like a moth to a light where I stayed glued to the last page. Read more
Published on May 20, 2010 by Pamela Ziemann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible Work About Animals
A great general review and a must read for animal lovers. I learned much and it was inspiring to read it.
Published on March 28, 2010 by William Strickland, Ph.D.
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