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Eco-Spirituality and Human-Animal Relationships By Mark Hawthorne

PUBLISHER: Moon Books

SEVERAL REVIEWS



Mark Hawthorne
Eco-Spirituality and Human-Animal Relationships
Available at Mark Hawthorne.com
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1785352482
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1785352485

REVIEWS


Time spent with a Mark Hawthorne book is always time well spent. Hawthorne is an established and extremely capable writer. His books are always thorough, clear, and well-researched. In Eco-Spirituality and Human-Animal Relationships, Hawthorne considers the plurality of ways humans are in relationship with other-than-human animals and invites us to consider how the reality of these often exploitative relationships squares with our views about spirituality and eco-spirituality in particular. Walking us through the various ways humans are in relationship with other animals (food, research, sport, captivity, and labor), Hawthorne paints a careful picture of the intricacies of our entanglements with our co-inhabitants on Earth. Never one to shy away from nuance and context, Hawthorne encourages us to rethink even those interspecies relationships we generally consider mutual - for example, service animals, dogs used for military and policing purposes, and companion animals. This is a quick read - totaling just 73 pages - which makes it an excellent beginning place for anyone wishing to both find information about the kinds of exploitation and commodification involved in most current human-animal relationships and consider how they would like to be in right relationship with animals themselves.
~ Karen S. Emmerman, PhD

This is an important book that everyone who cares about animals and nature should read. Actually, everyone should read this book. The author discusses five main ways in which humans “use” animals – for food, for entertainment (i.e., animals in captivity), for medical and product testing research (animals in laboratories), for and sport; followed by a discussion about animals that we tend to revere (i.e. our companion animals and wildlife). Each section is very thorough about how animals are used and treated. This book raises the important question of the relationship between humans and animals. On one hand, we want to feel connected to animals and nature. On the other hand, in order for us to feel that it is acceptable for us to use animals in all these different areas, we must see ourselves as separate from and, indeed, in most cases, superior to them. I believe that this conflict likely results not only in harm to animals and planet, but also to our own psyches. This is not a long book; I read it in a couple hours. But it packs in a lot of information and deep meaning. I have been an animal advocate for many years; as such, much of the information in this book was not new to me. But it made me think about all of this in a much deeper way. This book sticks with you and makes you think and question. Again, we will all benefit from reading this book. I believe it is an important step in improving our relationship with animals and nature, and perhaps saving ourselves along with our planet.
~ Rose - Amazon reviewer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Hawthorne is the author of A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Compassion Toward All, Bleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal Suffering, and Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism, which empowers people around the world to get active for animals and The Way of the Rabbit. He stopped eating meat after an encounter with one of India’s many cows in 1992 and became an ethical vegan a decade later. Mark’s writing on behalf of animals has also appeared in such vegan magazines as Satya, VegNews, Laika, and The Vegan, and you’ll find his work featured in Vegan’s Daily Companion and in the anthologies Uncaged: Top Activists Share Their Wisdom on Effective Farm Animal Advocacy, Turning Points in Compassion: Personal Journeys of Animal Advocates, and Stories to Live By: Wisdom to Help You Make the Most of Every Day.


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