A book created from the writings of Twain; his comments about animals are extracted from his works and are presented in an A to Z format.

“Is the tick a machine or a machine operator? Is it a mere object or a subject?” With these questions, the pioneering biophilosopher Jakob von Uexküll embarks on a remarkable exploration of the unique social and physical environments that individual animal species, as well as individuals within species, build and inhabit. This concept of the umwelt has become enormously important within posthumanist philosophy, influencing such figures as Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, Deleuze and Guattari, and, most recently, Giorgio Agamben, who has called Uexküll “a high point of modern antihumanism.” A key document in the genealogy of posthumanist thought, A Foray into the Worlds of Animals and Humans advances Uexküll’s revolutionary belief that nonhuman perceptions must be accounted for in any biology worth its name; it also contains his arguments against natural selection as an adequate explanation for the present orientation of a species’ morphology and behavior. A Theory of Meaning extends his thinking on the umwelt, while also identifying an overarching and perceptible unity in nature. Those coming to Uexküll’s work for the first time will find that his concept of the umwelt holds new possibilities for the terms of animality, life, and the framework of biopolitics.

The rapidly expanding field of critical animal studies now offers a myriad of theoretical and philosophical positions from which to choose. This timely book provides an overview and analysis of the most influential of these trends. Approachable and concise, it is intended for readers sympathetic to the project of changing our ways of thinking about and interacting with animals yet relatively new to the variety of philosophical ideas and figures in the discipline. It uses three rubrics—identity, difference, and indistinction—to differentiate three major paths of thought about animals. The identity approach aims to establish continuity among human beings and animals so as to grant animals equal access to the ethical and political community. The difference framework views the animal world as containing its own richly complex and differentiated modes of existence in order to allow for a more expansive ethical and political worldview. The indistinction approach argues that we should abandon the notion that humans are unique in order to explore new ways of conceiving human-animal relations. Each approach is interrogated for its relative strengths and weaknesses, with specific emphasis placed on the kinds of transformational potential it contains.

Journey into the wilderness to see the world's most magnificent wild animals. The Magnificent Book of Animals takes you across the globe, from the Arctic tundra to the African savanna, to meet 36 fascinating animals. From the tiny Rondo dwarf bush baby to the massive white rhinoceros, this book depicts some of the world’s most incredible animals in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration, so you can learn how a tiger marks its territory, why a polar bear isn’t really white, and how long a giraffe’s tongue actually is. This is the perfect book for animal lovers everywhere. 36 ANIMALS: Learn about dozens of animals from all over the world, from the snow leopard to the flying fox. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible animals to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will excite animal lovers of all ages. MAP OF THE ANIMAL WORLD: A full-page color map shows where each animal originates. COLLECT THE SERIES: More beautifully illustrated collections for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Cats, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, The Magnificent Book of Horses, The Magnificent Book of Birds, and The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals.

Scientists have long counseled against interpreting animal behavior in terms of human emotions, warning that such anthropomorphizing limits our ability to understand animals as they really are. Yet what are we to make of a female gorilla in a German zoo who spent days mourning the death of her baby? Or a wild female elephant who cared for a younger one after she was injured by a rambunctious teenage male? Or a rat who refused to push a lever for food when he saw that doing so caused another rat to be shocked? Aren’t these clear signs that animals have recognizable emotions and moral intelligence? With Wild Justice Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce unequivocally answer yes. Marrying years of behavioral and cognitive research with compelling and moving anecdotes, Bekoff and Pierce reveal that animals exhibit a broad repertoire of moral behaviors, including fairness, empathy, trust, and reciprocity. Underlying these behaviors is a complex and nuanced range of emotions, backed by a high degree of intelligence and surprising behavioral flexibility. Animals, in short, are incredibly adept social beings, relying on rules of conduct to navigate intricate social networks that are essential to their survival. Ultimately, Bekoff and Pierce draw the astonishing conclusion that there is no moral gap between humans and other species: morality is an evolved trait that we unquestionably share with other social mammals. Sure to be controversial, Wild Justice offers not just cutting-edge science, but a provocative call to rethink our relationship with—and our responsibilities toward—our fellow animals.

Did you know that mosquitoes' mouthparts are helping to develop pain-free surgical needles? Who'd have thought that the humble mussel could inspire so many useful things, from plywood production to a "glue" that can cement the crowns on teeth? Or that the design of polar bear fur may one day help keep humans warm in space? In everything from fashion to architecture, medicine to transportation, it may surprise you how many extraordinary inventions have been inspired by the natural world. In 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter, join wildlife biologist, TV host, and BBC podcaster Patrick Aryee as he tells stories of biomimicry, or innovations inspired by the natural world, that enrich our lives every day--and in some cases, save them.

What's going on, zebra? Quack quack, baby duck. Hola, baby owl! Making connections between images on a page and the real world is an important building block for your baby’s communication skills—and this charming introduction to ten baby animals, paired with friendly greetings and bold, basic patterns, provides a great high-contrast experience for young developing eyes. As newborns’ vision is not developed enough to recognize colors, severe black-and-white contrast of patterns and images allow their eyes to differentiate between what they’re seeing. Sure to grab little ones' attention! Also available: Hello, Ocean Friends and Hello, Garden Bugs. Coming soon: Hello, My World.

"Introduces the reader to a wealth of extraordinary life forms"-- P. [4] of cover.

With unique personal insight, experience, and hard science, Animals in Translation is the definitive, groundbreaking work on animal behavior and psychology. Temple Grandin’s professional training as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism have given her a perspective like that of no other expert in the field of animal science. Grandin and coauthor Catherine Johnson present their powerful theory that autistic people can often think the way animals think—putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate “animal talk.” Exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and even animal genius, Grandin is a faithful guide into their world. Animals in Translation reveals that animals are much smarter than anyone ever imagined, and Grandin, standing at the intersection of autism and animals, offers unparalleled observations and extraordinary ideas about both.

Babies can see black-and-white images from birth, and this captivating series has been specially designed to delight even the youngest readers. Babies will love to experience again and again the appealing, high-contrast black-and-white images in this engaging board book. With a tactile die-cut cover and super-bright fluorescent inks on every page, which feature simple black-and-white illustrations, this series has been specially designed to capture your little one's attention. Babies will meet a host of friendly baby animal characters. Happy Baby introduces adorable baby animals and other happy friends with engaging black-and-white board books! Each page features minimal text and a black-and-white, high-contrast picture with a bright burst of color.