Animal Rights - Political and Social Hb (Hardcover, illustrated edition)

In the late twentieth century animals are news. Parliamentary debates, protests against fox hunting and television programs like Animal Hospital all focus on the way in which we treat animals and on what that says about our own humanity. As vegetarianism becomes ever more popular, and animal experimentation more controversial, it is time to trace the background to contemporary debates and to situate them in a broader historical context.Hilda Kean looks at the cultural and social role of animals from 1800 to the present OCo at the way in which visual images and myths captured the popular imagination and encouraged sympathy for animals and outrage at their exploitation. From early campaigns against the beating of cattle and ill-treatment of horses to concern for dogs in war and cats in laboratories, she explores the relationship between popular images and public debate and action. She also illustrates how interest in animal rights and welfare was closely aligned with campaigns for political and social reform by feminists, radicals and socialists.A thoughtful, effective and well-written bookOCoThe ScotsmanIt could hardly be more timely, and its wonderful material is bound to provoke ... reflectionOCoThe IndependentA work of great interestOCoSunday TelegraphLively, impressively researched, and well-written ... a book that is timely and valuableOCoTimes Literary SupplementA pleasing balance of anecdote and analysisOCoTimes Higher Educational Supplement"