The Longest Story: How humans have loved, hated and misunderstood other species

Description

The contradictions and moral ambiguities of our collective attitudes to animals are baffling. By telling the love-hate story of man and beast, from their first acquaintance in deep prehistory to the present day and beyond, award-winning environmental journalist Richard Girling reveals how and where the contradictions began - and how they have persisted, warped and become magnified ever since. Narrated by a wise contemporary everyman, aware only of what is known by people of the time, The Longest Story reveals the cumulative influence of theologians, writers, artists, philosophers and scientists century-by-century. As more knowledge is attained, stereotypes are challenged and modern perceptions - of scientific experimentation, pet-ownership, animal rights, intelligence, welfare and wildlife conservation - are questioned. Looking forward, it anticipates a future where the very nature of living organisms could be transformed by technologies more terrifying than the mythical powers of gods. With a perspective lofty enough to keep the broad sweep of history in sight and low enough to spot the telling detail, Girling paints a comprehensive and vivid portrait of humanity, as seen through our relationship to animals, in this original and thought-provoking opus.

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 with environmental writing since the early 1970s, when he helped to make The Sunday Times a pioneering force in what was then a novel subject for national newspapers. As a section editor he commissioned some of the earliest investigative work on climate change and species loss. He lives in north Norfolk.

'Informed and persuasive... By the end, you wonder why the animals have put up with us.' * Julian Glover, Evening Standard * 'Thought-provoking.' * Mark Mason, Daily Mail * '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 is a compelling and thought-inspiring search inside our moral selves. Through masterful introspection, Girling delves into our relationships, fascinations and follies with animals. He tracks the origins of attitudes, unpacks contradictions and asks whether our interactions with other species holds the key to our own survival. In an age of extinction, this is essential reading.' -- Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming and author of Farmageddon: The true cost of cheap meat 'A brilliant book. Absorbing and - yes - shaming.' -- Stanley Johnson, Ambassador, Compassion in World Farming; Winner of RSPCA Richard Martin Award '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 * 'Girling brings immediacy to his engaging commentary, whether he's exploring ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, or the twenty-first century... This thoughtful offering is a plea for readers to respect life in all forms.' * Booklist * 'Richard Girling's The Longest Story is a social science examination of the relationships between humans and animals - a topic that's seldom considered, but is close at hand and environmentally relevant... mythic in scope and style... it works toward a stunning conclusion about where humans should look for wisdom.' * Foreword Reviews *