Rewilding Our Hearts

October 1, 2014

Rewilding is a trendy term for the revival of an ancient concept: showing respect for the natural world, including the other animals sharing it. Bekoff (emeritus, ecology and evolutionary biology, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder; The Emotional Lives of Animals) recounts some of his experiences with wildlife and makes an appeal for maturity and compassion toward other creatures. He reminds us that in a sense we remain great apes and cannot operate outside nature and emphasizes that while humanity may be the dominant species, it is not the most important ecologically. While we often treat animals as objects, scientific research shows they display intelligence, have feelings, and even employ ethics. Bekoff advocates the use of nature as a teaching tool and play time outdoors for children. He concludes with supportive words for activists. VERDICT Bekoff's perspective is far from the North American norm, but his arguments are strong. Readers may find themselves agreeing with some of the author's points and may even do some soul searching about our treatment of animals.--David R. Conn, formerly with Surrey Libs., BC

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Wildlife conservationist Bekoff (Why Dogs Hump and Bees Get Depressed, 2013) tackles the issues of dwindling biodiversity and habitat loss by discussing human attitudes in this intriguing title about changing the way we see the wild. Although Bekoff brings a firm ecological basis to this premise, he believes the times call more for social revolution than research. The examples he cites, including the Fatal Light Awareness Program, which is working to reduce deadly bird strikes on skyscrapers, illustrate how human concerns about animals are translating into action, and Bekoff does a solid job of explaining how these public efforts are a good thing, but he also stresses how living with the wildallowing the wild to exist as it mustis more than just supporting a cause. He stresses the need for both acknowledging the wild's economic significance (with hard numbers about tourism) and moral benefits. Some deny the destruction that humans cause in the natural world to avoid having to take responsibility for it, he writes. Readers will be inspired by Bekoff's solid and persuasive argument.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)