Donkey: The Mystique of Equus Asinus
Donkeys, often seen as the horse's humble, lesser-born relatives, receive their tribute here. The authors--conservationists, ecologists, and environmental educators--were both smitten by encounters withEquus asinusat an early age. They write of their fascination with this ubiquitous beast of burden, their friendships with donkeys, and donkeys' conversations with each other. In loving, poetic prose, the authors perambulate through the donkey's landscape, examining their role in human affairs, history, art and agriculture. The donkey is a richly social animal, a characteristic that winds throughout the text and enlivens the narrative. The authors often touch on humans' mistreatment of donkeys over the millennia and of the donkeys' continued patience with their tormentors. They examine the natural history of the species, their strength and endurance, and their role in human affairs. A surprising number of donkey facts, supported by extensive endnotes, are infused into what is overall a lovely paean to the donkey. Copiously illustrated with color photos and artwork.Nancy BentCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved