Humans may feel like the masters of the modern world, but the rest of the animal kingdom is still here and not going anywhere anytime soon. People continue to be fascinated by the other creatures we share the planet with, and scientists, anthropologists, ecologists, and regular people everywhere have devoted their lives to studying and understanding different types of creatures and the ways their lives intersect with us. While there are many different opinions on the ways humans should interact with animals, and in what ways we should benefit from their existence, there’s no denying that everyone is an animal lover to some degree. And we all want to know more about them.
Read on for a list of some fascinating new releases in the world of animals.
Rescue Dogs: Where They Come From, Why They Act the Way They Do, and How to Love Them Well
By Pete Paxton & Gene Stone
TarcherPerigee, $26.00, 256 pages
Anybody who has ever considered buying a dog from a pet store deserves to know the truth about where these dogs come from. Investigator Pete Paxton has spent more time than anyone exposing the dark secrets of puppy mills, and his new book, written in conjunction with author Gene Stone, tells of his experiences. Readers will learn about what really goes on in most commercial puppy breeding organizations, how it affects these sweet and loving creatures, and how readers can make a difference by seeking out rescue dogs from shelters instead. Rescue Dogs will make an activist out of anyone, and leave readers thankful that there are so many people in the world who truly care about the plight of animals.
Animalkind: Remarkable Discoveries about Animals and the Remarkable Ways We Can Be Kind to Them
By Ingrid Newkirk & Gene Stone
Simon & Schuster, $27.00, 304 pages
For far too long, people have been stuck in the mindset that animals are lesser than humans, and that their best purpose is for the betterment of people. The truth is that animals are unique and intelligent and, in many ways, live lives full of complexity and beauty, just like people. In this book, Ingrid Newkirk and Gene Stone explore both the history of animal use and the many unexpected ways we can relate to them. Animals communicate with each other, they have rituals, they interact with other species, and they appreciate the beauty of the natural world around them. This book might not make a full-on activist out of everyone who picks it up, but it’d be hard to read it and not want to make at least some lifestyle changes for the betterment of animals.
Camel Crazy: A Quest for Miracles in the Mysterious World of Camels
By Christina Adams
New World Library, $17.95, 304 pages
Camel milk has been gaining a surprising underground following in recent years, with both science and personal stories backing up claims of various health benefits. The author of Camel Crazy, Christina Adams, first encountered the idea when researching alternative therapies for her autistic child, and was surprised to discover that this one seemed to have real benefits. What followed was tons of research, and travel to the other side of the world to learn more and to source quality milk for her son. Readers will be fascinated with all she discovered and details in this book, and it’s hard not to develop a love for these beautiful and amazing creatures after reading about their history and the cultures of people who raise them.
The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone’s Underdog
By Rick McIntyre
Greystone, $27.95, 204 pages
In the years since wild wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, progress has not always been smooth. Researcher Rick McIntyre has devoted decades to the study of these beautiful creatures, and The Rise of Wolf 8 introduces readers to this world that he has studied so carefully. The story of Wolf 8 is an interesting one; as a pup, he was small and insignificant, but he rose to alpha status at an unusually young age. Readers will be fascinated by the many nuances of the lives of wolves, and will be left eager for McIntyre’s next book on the subject.
The Hidden World of the Fox
By Adele Brand
Morrow, $24.99, 240 pages
British ecologist Adele Brand has spent much of her life studying foxes, and The Hidden World of the Fox gives readers a glimpse into the many things she has learned about these surprisingly adaptive mammals. Brand’s studies have taken her around the world, to four separate continents, and in this book she works to show readers the fascinating things she’s learned about how foxes have not only thrived in a modern world dominated by humans, but thrived. Any readers who don’t already adore foxes will be in love by the end of this book.