On Animals

On Animals is a collection of essays examining humans' complex relationships with various animal species over time. The pieces were written across Orlean's career as a journalist and author, originally appearing in The New Yorker and other publications. Each essay focuses on a different aspect of human-animal interactions, from historic roles of livestock and working animals to modern pet ownership and wildlife conservation. Orlean reports on topics including show dogs, racing pigeons, backyard chickens, and tiger ownership in America. The writing combines reporting, research, and personal narrative as Orlean investigates how animals shape human culture and society. Her firsthand experiences visiting farms, sanctuaries, and animal training facilities provide direct insights into contemporary animal-human dynamics. Through these varied accounts, the book explores fundamental questions about wildness versus domestication, and humanity's drive to connect with other species. The essays reveal how animals continue to influence human identity, values and ways of life across different times and places.

Readers report enjoying the collection of animal-focused essays but note it lacks a cohesive thread connecting the pieces. Many appreciate Orlean's detailed research and engaging writing style, with several highlighting her pieces on show dogs, racing pigeons, and taxidermy as standouts. Common praise: - Strong individual stories with memorable characters - Balance of humor and journalistic insight - Clear, accessible writing style Common criticisms: - Stories feel disconnected from each other - Some essays end abruptly without resolution - Several pieces feel dated (some from 1990s/2000s) - Book description misleads readers expecting deeper animal behavior analysis Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (400+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (150+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes: "Each essay is interesting on its own, but the book needs a stronger framework to tie everything together." Multiple reviews mention wanting more current animal stories and fewer human-focused narratives.

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🐾 In researching the book, Susan Orlean traveled to locations across four continents to observe and document human-animal relationships firsthand. 🌟 The book features a chapter about the last surviving racing pigeon from World War II, which delivered crucial messages during D-Day. 🎬 Orlean is also the author of "The Orchid Thief," which was adapted into the Academy Award-nominated film "Adaptation" starring Meryl Streep as Orlean herself. 🐕 One chapter explores how the U.S. military spent $20 million trying to train dogs to detect buried explosives in Vietnam, but the program ultimately failed. 🦁 The collection includes a story about taxidermy at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, where specialists spent months recreating the exact poses of lions originally mounted in 1913.