Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers
by Amy Sutherland
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 105)
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
animal lovers
A NYT article about how learning about animal behavior was better than marriage counseling prompted journalist Amy Sutherland to write a whole book about it. A self described animal lover, she spends a year at the exotic animal training college, Moorpark, in CA, following a year of students through the main travails and trials of the year. It is definitely a very interesting book, and you learn all sorts of factoids about animals and get a glimpse into the world of animal training--which one r...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
people obsessed with animals
This book was neither fish nor fowl. The location was very interesting and the stories were crazy and unbelievable. But the decision to follow dozens of students, teachers, and animals made it hard to get connected. I had a lot of trouble remembering who was who, despite the descriptions of "shoulder-length chestnut hair" or "big brown eyes" or whatever. And I still don't know what the hell a cavy is.
I think a strong-handed editor could have helped. Or really, a tota...more
I think a strong-handed editor could have helped. Or really, a tota...more
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Read in November, 2007
A journalist's account of students' first year in the exotic animal training program at Moorpark College in CA. A well done book, it certainly convinced me I should have no regrets in having not tried for this program. It was a great read, but I was disappointed to see how little really happens in the program (though the somewhat sketchy origins, so common in the exotic animal field, are quite interesting). I recommend this to anyone considering an exotic animal career, it totally nails both ...more
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Read in January, 2008
First of all, this book had so many spelling errors 1/2 way through to the end of the adventure that it took away from the reading experience totally. When little errors like missing the 't' in 'student' show up, I get a bit cranky.
Additional spaces with words also bothered me.
The adventure itself was interesting, but I found that for the last 4 chapters of the book that I didn't CARE anymore as to what happened to the students. Poor writing or too long of a book??? Not sure, but I kept g...more
Additional spaces with words also bothered me.
The adventure itself was interesting, but I found that for the last 4 chapters of the book that I didn't CARE anymore as to what happened to the students. Poor writing or too long of a book??? Not sure, but I kept g...more
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Read in March, 2008
I really, really enjoyed this book. Books about the day to day lives of people with weird jobs fascinate me, as does training large and dangerous animals. However, this book is also an example of what happens when publishers cut corners on editing. While the overall story was well done, there were acronyms used randomly with no explanation, names used confusingly, and a few other touches that probably would have been easily remedied by a good editor.
But despite that, I would still highly ...more
But despite that, I would still highly ...more
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Read in January, 2008
Well-written and engaging, this book focuses on one year at a school for those who wish to work with animals. The students from this year are a diverse group, which makes the account even more enjoyable, and the reader gets a good sense of each student. The animals, of course, are just as important and just as diverse, and although they are "used" to humans, they are still wild animals. This is a great book for anyone interested in animals and anyone curious about the people who choose...more
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Read in August, 2008
While the subject matter is really interesting, the writing is not so much. I suppose I've been spoiled by some really well-written non-fiction, but this just fell a little flat, like a really long trip report rather than an integrated story. I guess the lesson is, just because it's not fiction, doesn't mean it doesn't need a story. I enjoyed it, but someone less interested in behaviorism, or the logistics of running a zoo, probably wouldn't.
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An absorbing account of what it takes to learn how to work with exotic animals. Not the greatest writing style, but the subject matter more than makes up for it.
Being a zookeeper was always my secret dream, but after reading this, I cannot imagine having the dedication to work so many long hours for very little (tangible) reward. It was so interesting to learn what it really takes- I will probably read this book again.
Being a zookeeper was always my secret dream, but after reading this, I cannot imagine having the dedication to work so many long hours for very little (tangible) reward. It was so interesting to learn what it really takes- I will probably read this book again.
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I love animals, so this was a great book for me to read. It shed some light on the world of exotic animal training, which I thought would be the best job ever, and realized it is more work than people think, and often not very rewarding.
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One of the coolest books about a career I've ever read. From elephant training (One wrong move and you're a smear on the wall), to temperamental camels, to raging infections from animal bites, there is a lot of action.
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Was a bit disappointed. It was written by a journalist, so it was a bit dry and from an outsiders view rather than a student who would have had a more emotional point of view.
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Read in July, 2006
I have always wanted to work in a zoo until I read this book! A glimpse into a world we so often fail to notice...someone has to take care of all of those animals!
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The story of EATM. Moorpark colledge's Exotic Animal Trainer and Managment program. Yes it is a real place, and yes....they are making it into a movie. (Boo!)
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As an aspiring animal trainer this book is teaching me a lot about the craft. Ms. Sutherland's style of storytelling makes reading very easy to fall into.
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Read in July, 2007
Interesting book, easy read. Well-written and I often forgot that the author was a journalist following these people around, not one of them.
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
people fascinated with exotic animals
Loved the first 158 pages then just stopped caring.
Not to say one shouldn't read it - first half of the book is FANTASTIC.
Not to say one shouldn't read it - first half of the book is FANTASTIC.
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"Everything that has a mouth, bites." Just some of the lessons learned while observing exotic animal trainers.
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone interested in animals or odd careers
Very good so far - she's a very good engaging and clear writer. Great subject - will say more when I'm done.
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Read in January, 2006
If I had known this school existed around the time I graduated college, I would have applied.
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Read in March, 2007
An inside peek at working with big cats, crazy apes and vituperative birds. Fascinating stuff!
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