Very, very good!
As author of Storey's new book, The Donkey Companion, I reviewed many in-print and out-of-print donkey books prior to writing my own. This was hands-down one of my favorites. These folks truly know and love donkeys. Don't miss this book!
experience
I own donkeys and I did not get any useful information. I got the Idea they just visted farms with donkeys and then thew a lot of technicial information that does not help understand the donkey.
The zen of donkeys
A wonderful, warm insightful book on the delightful donkey. I read it shortly after becoming a proud owner of 2 donkeys and LOVED it. More than a how to tend your donkey book but a how to appreciate donkeys (and all other creatures)book. You don't even have to know where to pin the tail on a donkey to appreciate this book - and how donkeys are woven into our history and psyche. Read it and cherish it.
Ambitious with beautiful images but poorly edited
I had been wanting this book for a long time, but was a bit disapointed with it when I finally got it. The writers' hearts were certainly in the right place, but it was very badly edited. Many of the sentences didn't make complete sense and many times beautiful ideas were thrown out but not developed at all. I think a really good editing job would help the authors do justice for these wonderful animals.
I enjoyed "Travels with My Donkey" much more.
Don't Miss This Book!
There are many great things about the book. The images - photos and artwork are outstanding. There are lots of surprising facts about donkeys, mules, and the history of civilization. There is beautiful writing - weaving between the personal and the universal. There is rigorous, careful scholarship, a treasure trove of careful citations to explore. The book has a majestic sweep and keen attention to detail and accuracy. Any one of these aspects of the book would make it worth the modest price. But The truly wonderful thing about this book and the beast it describes, is that it makes you think. The book nudges the reader into unanticipated realms of philosophical reflection. It is deep and rich and wise, but like the burro, humble, sensually centered and honest. You are, for example, reading along - facts about donkeys - and then, all of a sudden, you get something like this: "What do we really know about animals? What can we say with accuracy about ourselves?" Chew on that a while! The book has dozens of such moments, opportunities to step out of the crazy, violent, acquisitive struggles of our historical moment to consider some fundamentals of the mammalian and human condition. It's a great book about a great animal and our connection to the animal world. I own two burros and have long looked to them for council. This book is utterly accurate in its portrayal of the species. It's affectionate and respectful, happliy missing the kitsch and anthropomorphism that most writers bring to books about their favorite animals. Don't miss it.
(10 reviews)
