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7th out of 66 books
—
9 voters
The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them
A fascinating exploration of humanity's eternal bond with animals, and an urgent call to answer the needs of millions of at-risk creatures
A landmark work, The Bond is the passionate, insightful, and comprehensive examination of our special connection to all creatures, written by one of America's most important champions of animal welfare. Wayne Pacelle, the president of th...more
A landmark work, The Bond is the passionate, insightful, and comprehensive examination of our special connection to all creatures, written by one of America's most important champions of animal welfare. Wayne Pacelle, the president of th...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
April 5th 2011
by William Morrow
(first published March 15th 2011)
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Wow, what a great book. To be honest, I was expecting The Bond to be something along the lines of the book Why Animals Matter--an “Animal Protection 101” primer on the issues that wouldn’t be as useful to seasoned advocates. I’m pleased to report that my first impression was wrong, and longtime animal advocates will find as much valuable material in The Bond as newcomers to the issues.
Pacelle begins with an overview of the history of the human-animal bond, a connection that stretches back to th...more
Pacelle begins with an overview of the history of the human-animal bond, a connection that stretches back to th...more
This is an interesting book that discusses a lot of issues relating to animal-human relationships. But the cover is misleading, as it is more of a memoir of a man who has worked in the world where humans and animal intersect for his entire adult life. It's not an academic treatise on anthrozoology. But it is a nice introduction to the state of the modern Western (Anglo?) approach to animals. Pacelle does provide historical context, both by describing the changes he has seen and going even furthe...more
On the cover of the New York Times Bestseller, The Bond by Wayne Pacelle, depicts a young child hugging a dog in a field and immediately the readers thoughts are that this is a book about the bond we feel to our animal friends/pets but do not be deceived.
Wayne Pacelle is the President and CEO for the Humane Society of the United States and author of this novel. In it, the reader is exposed to the practices that go on around the world in regards to the treatment of animals, from puppy mills, slau...more
Wayne Pacelle is the President and CEO for the Humane Society of the United States and author of this novel. In it, the reader is exposed to the practices that go on around the world in regards to the treatment of animals, from puppy mills, slau...more
In The Bond, Wayne Pacelle delivers a systematic analysis of our treatment of animals from those that we keep as pets, those that are raised for food, service animals, and those that live in the wild.
Pacelle touches on the disturbingly cruel behavior of Michael Vicks and his dog fighting friends. Pacelle interviews Vicks and we learn how the athlete became so deeply involved in dog fighting and the manner and nature of his "conversion" to an advocate for animal rights. The sincerity of his conv...more
Pacelle touches on the disturbingly cruel behavior of Michael Vicks and his dog fighting friends. Pacelle interviews Vicks and we learn how the athlete became so deeply involved in dog fighting and the manner and nature of his "conversion" to an advocate for animal rights. The sincerity of his conv...more
I was pretty disappointed with this book, for a few different reasons.
When I begin reading books about animals (especially companion animals) I usually expect some amount of agenda-driving, political maneuvering. However, that is pretty much all this book contained- stories about how terrible humans can be towards pets and livestock, and how we have been so terrible throughout this history of "our bond".
The book was very depressing, and mentions mostly ways in which we harm animals, and how the...more
When I begin reading books about animals (especially companion animals) I usually expect some amount of agenda-driving, political maneuvering. However, that is pretty much all this book contained- stories about how terrible humans can be towards pets and livestock, and how we have been so terrible throughout this history of "our bond".
The book was very depressing, and mentions mostly ways in which we harm animals, and how the...more
Apr 20, 2011
Gloria
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Animal and Nature Lovers; Activists
Shelves:
non-fiction
This may be the most disturbing book I have ever read, or at least in a very long time. The cover and title are deceptive, making you think this is one more endearing book about pets. Instead this book by the CEO of the American Humane Society addresses every crime against animals you can imagine. Covers factory farming practices, fighting practices (think Michael Vick), puppy mills, fur trade, fishing practices, National Park malpractices, population control, science lab practices and more. Dis...more
This book is not what I usually think of as a "good read." However, it is a well written and compelling look into humankind's relationship with animals. First, there is a case made for our connectedness to animals. Most of the book, though, provides insight into the different ways that mankind can be abusive/cruel to animals: the plight of cows, pigs, and chickens on the mega farms that provide so much of the meat we eat to dogfighting (including much on Michael Vick) to the barbaric way baby se...more
I went into this knowing that it was written by the president of the Human Society and would, therefore, be a very biased and one-sided read. I don't agree with everything the Human Society says, but after reading this, I have gained much more respect for what the Society does for animals. Unlike smaller animal groups and shelters, the Human Society has the money, the lawyers, and the reputation to bring about huge change in both the laws and the minds of people.
I didn't read the entire book, b...more
I didn't read the entire book, b...more
This book covers every aspect of our relationship with animals. We go back in time to the early origins of our bond with animals and learn how our relationships evolved. We journey from factory farms to loving farmers, from those who profit from dogfights to those who dedicate their lives to saving those same dogs. Wayne Pacelle touches on the most horrific, as well as the best, of our interaction and treatment of the animals whose world we share.
The politics behind our laws and the power of th...more
The politics behind our laws and the power of th...more
This book was as hard to read as Dominion-The Power of Man, The Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy. It made me sad and then it made me mad. Mad that even though some progress has been made, we still have factory farming, bear baiting, wolf hunting, canned hunts, seal slaughter in Canada, and whale hunting in Japan and Norway to name a few atrocities. The author (president and CEO of thr HSUS) makes a call to all people to use kindness and self-restraint in the treatment of our fellow cr...more
I admit not having investigated beforehand either the content or the author, so part of my disappointment with this book is my own fault. I hoped it would be about the incredible bond between humans and animals; that is, after all, what the title implies and the cover picture (a child hugging a dog) supports. While what I read of the book did include a few heart-warming tales (one about dolphins is especially nice) the majority of the book was aimed at two things: the protection of animals (a no...more
Pacelle covers the ways in which we as humans treat - and, more often than we should, mistreat - the animals with whom we share this planet. The Humane Society president poignantly shows the reader why humans and animals share an intense bond and why it is our responsibility to hold up our end of the bargain. Pacelle's words urge us on in our fight to end animal cruelty, showing us what we as people have done wrong, what we have done right, and how we can redeem ourselves and reinstill that bond...more
I was absorbed by this book. It was an informative, nonjudgmental introduction to the world of animal welfare that I felt was so worth reading. There were a lot of interesting insights to the world of animal activism, particularly regarding the law. I learned a lot, and was reintroduced to my love of animals. The parts on factory farming were particularly close to home, because of my recent abandonment of my vegetarian lifestyle. I'm definitely reconsidering my priorities when it comes to my die...more
This book really opened my eyes to a lot of animal welfare issues going on in the United States. I had been considering going vegetarian for several years, and this book gave me the push I needed to finally take the plunge.
I also was expecting this book to mainly be about the history of human relationships with companion animals. To my surprise, there was much, much more included in the book, but I was not upset by this. I enjoyed learning more about issues I had no idea about, such as hunting...more
I also was expecting this book to mainly be about the history of human relationships with companion animals. To my surprise, there was much, much more included in the book, but I was not upset by this. I enjoyed learning more about issues I had no idea about, such as hunting...more
Highly recommended for ALL who care, for just plain “Folks”. Many of us are out there; enough to make a Difference.
“Early Native Americans . . . kept tame [wildlife] . . . and treated their dogs affectionately [as did] Australian Aborigines” (p. 33)
“[ . . . early 19th Century . . . Arthur Schopenhauer [addressed animal rights by challenging the] human presumption in treating animals as nothing . . . and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance, is a[n] . . . example of W...more
“Early Native Americans . . . kept tame [wildlife] . . . and treated their dogs affectionately [as did] Australian Aborigines” (p. 33)
“[ . . . early 19th Century . . . Arthur Schopenhauer [addressed animal rights by challenging the] human presumption in treating animals as nothing . . . and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance, is a[n] . . . example of W...more
From its deceptive cover, to the ideals presented within said cover, Pacelle’s debut non-fiction book is sure to spark a lot of conversation amongst those who read it. The cover (a young boy hugging an older dog), and the title led me - and apparently many others - to expect a book with a more historic slant, cataloguing the development of the relationship between animals and humanity. Instead, a more apt cover art would simply be Mr. Pacelle’s author photo, perhaps in front of the headquarters...more
The author of THE BOND: OUR KINSHIP WITH ANIMALS, OUR CALL TO DEFEND THEM is Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). If you’ve ever checked his articles on www.hsus.org or on his Facebook page, you already know about his passion for animal issues. His concerns on the Internet are obvious, too, in this book with its theme of human responsibility to animals.
THE BOND begins with description of the bond we have had with animals through the ages. From there...more
THE BOND begins with description of the bond we have had with animals through the ages. From there...more
Behind Mother Teresa and Gandhi, I believe Wayne Pacelle is my hero.
He came to my favorite local bookstore in the spring, and I was so sorry to miss his appearance (an account of being nine months pregnant!). The knowledge and charisma he has brought to the Humane Society is admirable. I am an animal lover and animal advocate, through and through, but this book, I believe, would stimulate conversation and awareness for any reader.
We live in a world of such technological finesse, yet we can't s...more
He came to my favorite local bookstore in the spring, and I was so sorry to miss his appearance (an account of being nine months pregnant!). The knowledge and charisma he has brought to the Humane Society is admirable. I am an animal lover and animal advocate, through and through, but this book, I believe, would stimulate conversation and awareness for any reader.
We live in a world of such technological finesse, yet we can't s...more
Every person who works in animal rescue, fights for the welfare of animals, or cares about how we affect animals everyday should read this book. I have volunteered with rescue for most of my life and my entire family has been involved in rescue, yet parts of this book were shocking to me. The author does not sugar coat anything and parts of this book are graphic. This book has helped me to be more aware of how my everyday actions affect animals and what I can do to prevent animal cruelty. I tear...more
This book is a great introduction to a number of animal welfare issues. It touched on everything from factory farming to dogfighting and cockfighting to the seal hunt and more. It gives a good amount of information on each topic, enough to make you see what issues you want to research further or advocate for. Not only does Pacelle bring awareness to these issues, but he also gives reasons and advice for righting the situations. Even as someone already well versed in many of these topics, I still...more
This was an incredible book! Very difficult to read at times because of humans' capacity to inflect harm and abuse on animals in so many horrible ways. Wayne Pacelle is an incredible writer, and knows so much about so many areas in our world on animals and what we do to abuse them and degrade them in a daily manner. He even makes me consider going to vegetarianism, especially with the state of factory farms and how the corporations woefully hurt the animals who we end up eating.
"The Bond" by Wayne Pacelle is an excellent non-fiction book about our bond with animals. Here are some things I discovered from reading this book that I think are amazing: (1) Indians had dogs as pets; (2) Chimps have better memories than humans; (3) Four dolphins developed their own act with no help from humans. I particularly liked the chapters on Michael Vick and Hurricane Katrina. This is a really good read, pick it up and enjoy!
Some of this book was a stretch in connecting the bond between humans and animals, in particular the author's self-serving statements about how great the HSUS is. I know that they do good work but at times it seemed to me that this was almost a political campaign document. Having said that, the book was informative. Having read it as a sandwich with "The Inner World of Farm Animals" in between starting and finishing Pacelle's book, I will find it hard to not return to my vegetarian diet.
I had to skip big parts of this - like the captive hunting, bison kills, factory farms, downed cows, puppy mills, kill shelters, hunting baby seals......it goes on and on :( Excellent book as a resource for showing man and his relationship to the animals sharing our earth. Sad but eye-opening. There are many opportunities for people and communities to get involved in the defense of animals - many listed at the end of the book.
If you are already knowledgable about and active in the animal welfare movement, there's not much in this book that will be news to you. This is, however, an excellent introduction and overview of animal welfare history and issues. A great title for high school library collections.
A wonderfully, important book, that will be an eye-opener to many. And, I hope that many will read it. Our relationships with animals go far beyond the relationships we have with our pets. Even without our knowledge, we are intertwined with them on a daily basis - animals that most don't even think about. Our food system, our clothing, our daily-use products - all can either add to or alleviate the misuse of our fellow creatures, as well, of course, of our environment. Our impact on them is of g...more
Boring. Rehash of animal cruelty and meat supply stories from the last five years. Never addressed the emotional,psychic bond that animal lovers/owners experience. Poorly written. Runs off on tangents and loses focus.
..definitely a great book to feel not only warm and fuzzy but also to think about some things that could be done.....Wayne Pacelle has done a lot and there is so much to do....great book
This was a really good book. Although at the beginning, the scientific and historical stuff didn't particularly interest me, I do think it was necessary for the book to be well-rounded in all aspects of the bond we share with animals.
As a Christian, I was very drawn to the information regarding the faith community and our call as well as our responsibility to protect animals. Too often, that is not the case.
After reading the book, I have so much respect for Wayne Pacelle and the work he tireles...more
As a Christian, I was very drawn to the information regarding the faith community and our call as well as our responsibility to protect animals. Too often, that is not the case.
After reading the book, I have so much respect for Wayne Pacelle and the work he tireles...more
All-encompassing look at the role of animals in our lives, the bond we share with them, and the humane effort. Obviously slightly biased toward the HSUS, this is still a good read, with practical ways to make a difference on a personal level.
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During his 17 years with the Humane Society of the United States, including seven as president and CEO, Wayne Pacelle has played a leading role in transforming the HSUS, the nations largest animal protection charity, into a dynamic public force and voice for all animals. Taking a special interest in law reform, he has been the leading strategist for more than a score of successful ballot initiativ...more
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“In our day, there are stresses and fractures of the human-animal bond, and some forces at work would sever it once and for all. They pull us in the wrong direction and away from the decent and honorable code that makes us care for creatures who are entirely at our mercy. Especially within the last two hundred years, we've come to apply an industrial mind-set to the use of animals, too often viewing them as if they were nothing but articles of commerce and the raw material of science, agriculture, and wildlife management. Here, as in other pursuits, human ingenuity has a way of outrunning human conscience, and some things we do only because we can--forgetting to ask whether we should.”
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3 people liked it
“Often the greatest challenge of the animal welfare movement is to remind people of the things they already know to be true-that to mistreat any animal is beneath us, that cruelty of any kind is dishonorable and inexcusable, and that we all have duties of kindness and self-restraint in the treatment of our fellow creatures.”
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1 person liked it
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Apr 10, 2011 06:56am