Donkey

198 pages

English language

Published 2011 by Reaktion Books.

ISBN:
978-1-86189-803-6
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OCLC Number:
670480422

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5 stars (1 review)

Donkeys have historically been among our most useful domesticated animals--from plowing fields to navigating difficult terrain; however, they have been much maligned in popular culture and given very little respect. Jill Bough champions this humble creature, proving that after 10,000 years of domestication, this incredibly hard-working animal deserves our appreciation. With accounts that are both fascinating and touching, this cultural history of the donkey will inspire a new respect and admiration for this essential creature.

2 editions

reviewed Donkey by Jill Bough (Animal)

A captivating and occasionally heart-wrenching exposé on the human-donkey relationship

5 stars

As someone with a fondness for, but little knowledge of donkeys and their kin, I found this book to be an enlightening introduction to the long and often abusive relationship humans have with the species. I enjoyed the author's unreservedly pro-donkey attitude as she describes their origins and domestication, depictions in mythology, history and religion, uses in colonisation and war, and finally depictions in literature and art throughout the ages.

Subjects

  • Social aspects
  • Animals and civilization
  • Donkeys in art
  • Donkeys in literature
  • Asses
  • Mules
  • Donkeys
  • Human-animal relationships
  • Animals in motion pictures