by Richard Girling
ONEWorld Publications
8/9/2022, paperback
SKU: 9780861543533
Without animals there would be no us. We are all fellow travelers on the same evolutionary journey. By charting the love–hate story of people and animals, from their first acquaintance in deep prehistory to the present and beyond, Richard Girling reveals how and where our attitudes towards animals began – and how they have persisted, been warped and become magnified ever since.
In dazzling prose, The Longest Story tells of the cumulative influence of theologians, writers, artists, warriors, philosophers, farmers, activists and scientists across the centuries, now locking us into debates on farming, extinction, animal rights, pets, experiments and religion.
Reviews:
"Informed and persuasive... By the end, you wonder why the animals have put up with us."-- Julian Glover, Evening Standard
"An extraordinary book, brimming with wisdom and insight. Richard Girling holds up a horrifying mirror for us: how can the cleverest creature on earth be so unutterably stupid?"--Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer
"The Longest Story blends natural history, philosophy, and narrative artistry to explore the connections between humans and animals, from prehistory to the present and the future. Written in descriptive, almost lyrical prose... The Longest Story is brimming cover to cover with fascinating facts."-- Midwest Book Review
About the Authors:
Richard Girling is an award-winning writer and the author of eight critically acclaimed books, including The Man Who Ate the Zoo. He has been centrally involved in environmental journalism since the mid-1970s, pioneering writing about climate change and species loss in national newspapers. He lives in North Norfolk. You can find out more at richardgirling.com