By Pieter N. Paard
Birch Bark Books, 450 pages

“L’histoire d’animaux est l’histoire du subjugation,” declared renowned historian, Angelique Blaireau, in La science de l’esclavage, her groundbreaking work on the history of Animal domestication. Now in its eighth printing, Blaireau’s study of the “science of slavery” has inspired a new generation of Animals to examine its history and to challenge our assumptions about Animal life.

From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Pack Animals picks up where Blaireau left off: in the Peruvian highlands, where Llamas continue to “work” for Humans, as they have done for 5,000 years. From there, author Pieter N. Paard takes us on a whirlwind tour of the world – on the backs of our brethren – and prods us toward a redefinition of slavery and freedom.

Though its title implies otherwise, this book is not a “history,” per se. Instead, Paard uses historical content as the foundation upon which to pose a number of philosophical, moral, and political questions. Chief among these, of course, is the question of what constitutes “true” freedom. Paard uses the example of the team of 20 Mules that hauled borax out of the mining areas in Death Valley. The fact of the Mules’ post-retirement status as celebrities and their subsequent appearances at special events begs the question: is this freedom, or just another form of slavery imposed by those massive, two-footed beasts?

Although it offers no definitive answers to the questions it poses, From Slavery to Freedom serves as a springboard for further discussion of a topic that is very much on our minds as we prepare to celebrate a quarter-century of zoocracy in The Park.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 112, Autumn 24 AZ

Foreword by Jor
Birch Bark Books, 100 pages

An ancient political treatise by an unknown author, Principles of Anticipatory Zoocracy is the book to which we all owe our freedom and prosperity. This new, soft-shell edition from Birch Bark Books includes a special foreword that was written by Jor just before his death in 14 AZ.

The most important political document in our possession, this treatise laid the foundation for what we now know as Animal self-government. It should be on everyone’s reading list.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 112, Autumn 24 AZ

By Gustavus Duif
Blue Macaw Books, 600 pages

Translated as “In Search of Lost Bread,” Duif’s lengthy novel tells the tale of an unnamed Pigeon’s journey home across the entire North American continent.

Having flown a great distance on a mission direct by Humans, our protagonist finds himself feeling lost and alone. During the course of his return expedition, his memory of past times and “lost bread” is evoked by a random series of sights, sounds, and smells. As he remembers more and more about his journey, the “truth” and “purity” of his experiences in flight become clear to him and his place in the world seems more secure. The lost Pigeon, like the lost bread, is found again in the beauty of flight and in the experience of returning home.

While À la recherche du pain perdu is not a suitable novel for novices, experienced readers of all species will find that it has much to commend it.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 111, Summer 24 AZ

Heroic News Items from The Mammalian Daily
Mammalian Daily Press, 100 pages

Anyone familiar with The Mammalian Daily remembers these popular columns that ran monthly for almost five years. Now, in hard-shell, The Mammalian Daily has re-printed them for your renewed enjoyment.

Remember the Polar Bears’ heroic struggle with the snowless Winter? The Giraffe who got his head stuck in the ceiling of the Dupers’ General Store? The Humans who tried to grow their Shrimp in cans? They’re all here to amaze you, to entertain you, and to intrigue you.

You won’t be able to put this book down. But, perhaps, when you’re finished reading it, you should write a letter in support of bringing back the column.

Now, that would be duperous!

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 111, Summer 24 AZ

By Bartholomew El Perdiguero
Birch Bark Books, 400 pages

While any book on retrieving would be welcome in The Park, this volume is certain to appeal to those for whom the sport has become a way of life.

Rich in lore, as well as in fact, this commemorative tome also includes a handy “how-to” section for beginners, pictures of Champions in Action for voyeurs, a glossary of retrieving terms, and a separate chapter on water retrieving.

Beautifully bound and brimming with photographs, this book is a true celebration of retrieving and will make a wonderful gift for any species.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 111, Summer 24 AZ

By Berthilidis Strix, M.D. and Cornelia Panthera, Ph.Zo.
Lemon-Yellow Press, 250 pages

Deep in the recesses of our subconscious, according to veteran psychoanalyst, Dr. Berthilidis Strix, lies a force that she calls “the silent cluck.” The process of isolating one’s own “cluck” is the subject of this book, which Dr. Strix has written in collaboration with her esteemed colleague, Dr. Cornelia Panthera.

The premise on which their book is based is that this force, which is as individual as we are, is responsible for the choices we make throughout our lives. That fact (if, indeed, it is a fact) renders locating our “cluck” essential, if we are to feel that we exercise control in our lives.

But, why a “cluck?”

Dr. Panthera, a noted zoologist, is among those who believe that we all start life as a Chicken. Our process of maturation, as she explains in the book’s preface, is one of “breaking out of the egg,” both literally and metaphorically.

But, even when we are successful and achieve full maturity, say Drs. Strix and Panthera, we are still subject to the longings of that holdover from our earliest days, our “silent cluck.”

“It is not unusual,” writes Dr. Strix, “for the largest of Lions or for the smallest of Snails, to want to revert to the eggshell. It is, perhaps, at our lowest moments in life that we find our cluck is calling us, and we must listen to it.”

Whether or not you believe in the Chicken Theory, this book will bring your deepest desires and disappointments into focus.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 110, Spring 24 AZ

By Mavis Malamute
Tall Tail Books, 35 pages
Recommended for ages 4 weeks and up

Another triumph for Tall Tail Books, this enchanting book was written for Puppies but is suitable for all ages and species.

Narrated by a mother Bitch, it is the story of Barney, the runt of her litter, who discovers that, like his name, all the good things in his life begin with the letter, “B”: ball, biscuit, bones, etc.

The story is a delightful one and the illustrations, by renowned illustrator, Pirkko Panther, lend a sense of bucolic tranquility to an otherwise urban tale.

When All Good Things Begin with “B” will make a great gift for new mothers and for all those little ones in their pre-weaning weeks.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 110, Spring 24 AZ

By Otis J. Oxpecker
The Poplar Press, 230 pages

Spring is sprung, and the wanderlust is with us!

Those of us who do not have the opportunity to journey outside the Park as often – or as far – as we’d like, will undoubtedly find this book a welcome and exciting diversion.

The latest offering in adventure travel writing from The Poplar Press is the story of Otis J. Oxpecker (a.k.a. Tommy Tickbird) and his travels across Africa on the backs of one Giraffe, two Zebras, and three Warthogs. His is an idyllic existence. A natural groomer for these large Mammals, he performs most of his duties in the early morning and evening. During the hottest part of the day, he rests; at night, he joins the communal roost, in trees and cliffs.

Imbued as it is with the sights and sounds and smells of the African continent, this tale is sure to make great summer reading for both the wistful wayfarer and the vicarious voyageur.

© The Mammalian Daily
Reprinted with permission from Issue 110, Spring 24 AZ