Fully illustrated in color, a fascinating exploration of the one
hundred animals that have had the most profound influence on humanity
throughout the ages.
We are not alone. We are not alone on the planet. We are not alone in
the countryside. We are not alone in cities. We are not alone in our
homes. We are humans and we love the idea of our uniqueness. But the
fact is that we humans are as much members of the animal kingdom as the
cats and dogs we surround ourselves with, the cows and the fish we eat,
and the bees who pollinate so many of our food-plants.
In The History of the World in 100 Animals, award-winning author Simon
Barnes selects the one hundred animals who have had the greatest impact
on humanity and on whom humanity has had the greatest effect. He shows
how we have domesticated animals for food and for transport, and how
animals powered agriculture, making civilisation possible. A species of
flea came close to destroying human civilisation in Europe, while the
slaughter of a species of bovines was used to create one civilisation
and destroy another. He explains how pigeons made possible the biggest
single breakthrough in the history of human thought. In short, he charts
the close relationship between humans and animals, finding examples from
around the planet that bring the story of life on earth vividly to life,
with great insight and understanding.
The heresy of human uniqueness has led us across the millennia along the
path of destruction. This book, beautifully illustrated throughout,
helps us to understand our place in the world better, so that we might
do a better job of looking after it. That might save the polar bears,
the modern emblem of impending loss and destruction. It might even save
ourselves.
