Bear (Animal) (Paperback)

by Robert E. Bieder (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Rich and suggestive juxtapositions. . . . A good if prosaic introduction."--Times Literary Supplement (Tim Dee Times Literary Supplement 20060901)

"Richly detailed."--Sierra (Sierra 20060301)

"Fills a gap in concentrating on the history of cultural associations between the animals and humans. . . . It is indeed surprising, considering the wealth of legends and traditions to do with bears worldwide, how very few books have been written about them, but in Bear we are given a taste of what must surely be a huge and enthralling subject."--Archives of Natural History (Juliet Clutton-Brock Archives of Natural History )

Product Description

From the Greek legend of Callisto to Winnie-the-Pooh and Yogi, bears have long been a rich source of imagery, myth, story and legend. Bear looks at the history of this magnificent animal in nature and in culture--a history that covers 22 million years. The book draws on traditions and cultures around the world, including the ceremonies and taboos that surround the hunting, killing and eating of bears. It discusses the bear as the subject of stories, songs, cartoons and films; as exhibits in pits, circuses and zoos; and also as toys. The book concludes by considering the precarious future of the bear, threatened as it is by loss of habitats, disease, pollution and poaching for the medicinal trade.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Reaktion Books; 1 edition (November 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861892047
• ISBN-13: 978-1861892041
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #485,755 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Bear Essentials, April 13, 2009

By	Jessica Thomas "free-range reader" (Houma, Louisiana United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I help conduct yearly panels on totem animals at a favorite con of mine. Each year we pick an animal and try to learn all we can about it. Sometimes this is easy, sometimes? Not so.

The entire "Animal" series is worth a look, no matter what critters you like. I started with Crow and Salmon, and now have Bear and Cat. They are each researched in great detail, illustrated with great images, and have juicy bibliographies. They're fun to read and thought provoking, and I recommend them for anyone curious about the relationship between humans and our fellow animals. Great stuff.