(DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)
By: Connie Johnston, Department of Geography; Julie Urbanik, the Coordinates Society
"Humans and Animals: A Geography of Coexistence" is an engaging and, at times sobering, look at the coexistence of humans and animals in the 21st century, and how their sometimes disparate needs affect environments, politics, economies and culture worldwide. There is an urgent need to understand human-animal interactions and relations as we become increasingly aware of our species' devastating impact on the natural resources needed for the survival of all animal species. The book explores such topics as climate change and biodiversity, the impact of animal domestication and industrial farming on local and global ecosystems, the role of pets in our lives, advocacy movements on behalf of animals and representations of animals in art and media culture.
What inspired you to write this book?
(Image courtesy of ABC-CLIO)
Both authors have been heavily involved in animal geography as academics. We saw this reference guide, written for new scholars and a popular audience, as a way to bring these topics to a wider audience. We know from our personal experiences within academia and beyond that people are genuinely interested in our human relationships with animals, and we felt that the time was ripe for an accessible volume such as this one.
Persuade someone to read your book in less than 50 words:
Are you curious about the myriad ways that human and animal lives intersect? From insects to dolphins, from evolution to domestication, this book has essays that are short, but packed with interesting information. For example, did you know cockroaches care for their young? Browse the contents and you're sure to find something of interest.
About the author:
Connie Johnston is a cultural geographer who came to Chicago and DePaul in 2016. She has a Ph.D. from Clark University, and was a fellow with the Harvard Science, Technology and Society Program in 2012-13. She is interested in the ways in which cultural values and perspectives and scientific knowledge shape our human relationships with the non-human world around us. Much of her research to date has focused on societal attitudes toward farm animal welfare in the U.S. and Europe.
Publisher, publication date, length:
ABC-CLIO, October 2016, 466 pages
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