Mercy

January 25, 2016
From a dramatic opening involving a dogfight through the final chapter detailing the current efforts of the ASPCA, this well-researched biography of the organization’s founder, Henry Bergh (1813–1888), contains abundant information illustrating the evolution in attitudes about the treatment of animals. Through vignettes highlighting a range of animals—horses, dogs, sea turtles, cows, pigeons, circus elephants—Furstinger (The Forgotten Rabbit) demonstrates the scope of Bergh’s anti-cruelty efforts. A wealthy gentleman and failed playwright, Bergh found his voice as an animal protector in the 1860s, an era when “the belief that animals should be treated humanely was a revolutionary concept.” Despite ridicule from the press and Bergh’s own contradictory practices—he wore fur, ate meat, and never had a pet—he remained zealous in his crusade. Diverting detours to discuss the press, Charles Darwin, public health, the history of the circus, child labor laws, euthanasia, and other topics provide contextual background. Dejardins’s understated color illustrations frankly depict the abuse of animals without being overly grisly, and period photographs, a time line, bibliography, and other resources are also included. Ages 10–12. Author’s agent: John Rudolph, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

February 1, 2016
Furstinger examines the life of 19th-century animal rights champion Henry Bergh. Born an heir to a New York shipbuilder's fortune in 1813, Bergh left college, traveled, and dabbled unsuccessfully as a writer. In 1863, he served in a diplomatic post in Russia. After stopping a carriage horse's merciless beating, Bergh seemingly experienced "an epiphany when he discovered that his words really could have power to halt cruelty." Resigning his post in 1865, Bergh met the president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in London and returned to New York, his life's passion finally ignited. Furstinger follows Bergh's 22-year career as he founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866 and enforced New York state's new anti-cruelty law, arresting and prosecuting many. The author unflinchingly describes the misery of 19th-century urban domestic animals: horses literally worked to death pulling streetcars, dogs forced to fight to death for sport, cows fed an alcoholic distillery mash that poisoned them, their milk, and the infants who drank it. Bergh was celebrated and derided, and his tireless work for animals got a shake-up in 1874, when he founded the world's first child protection agency. Desjardins' digital illustrations, grim yet oddly fanciful, seem misplaced here. Well-documented, with sidebars on Alcott, Darwin, public health, child labor, and more, Furstinger's lively narrative fills a void. (maps, period photographs, author's note, timeline, quotation notes, bibliography, website) (Biography. 9-12)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 3-5-Tackling the life of Henry Bergh (1813-88), the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Furstinger provides a satisfying account of an interesting, albeit little-known, figure whose contributions to animal and human rights were substantial. Although he never owned animals himself, Bergh felt a strong compassion for creatures that could not defend themselves. He spent many years of his life searching for a calling without finding a career path that suited him, until he learned of the animal rights work being done in England and decided to replicate a similar organization in the United States. Bergh's creation of the world's first child protection agency is also covered briefly but does not overshadow his work for animal rights. Furstinger creates tension as she describes the vile conditions of animal treatment in the United States and worldwide in the mid-to-late 1800s. Never overly graphic, the full-color illustrations do an effective job of depicting the injustices toward animals, enhancing the story, and evoking empathy in readers. While Bergh's story is engaging, Furstinger occasionally interjects sidebars of relevant information, creating possibly distracting interruptions. VERDICT This suitable biography about a somewhat obscure figure will find many interested readers and is unlikely to duplicate existing collection offerings.-Ellen Norton, Naperville Public Library, Naperville, IL

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