The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History

The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History by Brian Fagan Summary:  Animals, and our ever-changing relationship with them, have left an indelible mark on human history. From the dawn of our existence, animals and humans have been constantly redefining their relationship with one another, and entire civilizations have risen and fallen upon this curious bond we share with our fellow fauna. Brian Fagan unfolds this fascinating story from the first wolf who wandered into our prehistoric ancestors' camp and found companionship, to empires built on the backs of horses, donkeys, and camels, to the industrial age when some animals became commodities, often brutally exploited, and others became pets, nurtured and pampered, sometimes to absurd extremes. Through an in-depth analysis of six truly transformative human-animal relationships, Fagan shows how our habits and our very way of life were considerably and irreversibly altered by our intimate bond with animals. Among other stories, Fagan explores how herding changed human behavior; how the humble donkey helped launch the process of globalization; and how the horse carried a hearty band of nomads across the world and toppled the emperor of China. With characteristic care and penetrating insight, Fagan reveals the profound influence that animals have exercised on human history and how, in fact, they often drove it. Angie's Comments: Fascinating look at the relationships between humans and the domesticated dog, goat, sheep, pig, cattle, donkey, horse, and camel. Fagan discusses the domestication of each animal and the ways different cultures in different times regarded the animals. Fagan especially singles out the donkey as one of the most important, yet underrated, animal that allowed humans to form relationships with other humans. The final part discusses the treatment of animals, especially focusing on the abuses, although one could argue that humans treated other humans just as badly as they treated animals. Each section progresses through time, and focuses on one animal at a time, except for the farm animals which are treated together. The writing is engaging. Recommended for readers interested in history and animals.     Request this item