Book Description
Based on Marc Bekoff's years of experience studying the social communication patterns of a wide range of animals, this important book shows that animals have rich emotional lives. Not only can animal emotions teach us about love, empathy, and compassion, argues Bekoff — they require us to radically rethink our current relationship of domination and abuse of animals. Award-winning scientist Bekoff skillfully blends extraordinary stories and anecdotes of animal grief, joy, embarrassment, anger, and love with the latest scientific research confirming the existence of emotions that commonsense experience has long implied. The author also explores the evolutionary purposes of emotions in a wide range of different species, showing how science is discovering brain structures that produce emotions, how we can track an evolutionary continuum based on shared brain structures among species, and how new information is being revealed by noninvasive neurological research
techniques. Filled with Bekoff's light humor and touching stories, The Emotional Lives of Animals is a clarion call for reassessing both how we view animals and how we treat them.
Customer Reviews:
Scientific truths written for the lay audience.......2007-09-13
Marc Bekoff has rattled more than a few cages in his long career as a cognitive ethologist, but that does not make what he has to say any less true. This book summarizes the case for recognizing the similarities we share with our non-human mammalian companions, and it does so with flair, as well as attention to scientific detail.
For scientists or simply science buffs, this book has plenty to satisfy, but it's not just for them. This book is more for the average American who has always sensed the truths of non-human emotional lives (or maybe even has not), but is curious about the science behind the facts.
I have long been fond of saying "a mammalian brain is a mammalian brain is a mammalian brain, whether it belongs to you, your cat or my horse." Marc Bekoff makes this same statement with much more clarity and deeper understanding.
This book should leave you with a greater respect for the lives of the non-humans we share this planet with, and a deeper understanding of the ways our experiences here are the same, rather than focusing on what's different. It turns out the similarities are greater than the differences!
But all the science aside, this is also a book filled with great stories of observations of scientists and laypeople alike that back up the studies. Stories like the one told by an e-mail friend of mine, who witnessed two young mice trapped, where one helped the other to recover rather than just seeking its own salvation (I wonder if humans would have had the same level of compassion!).
This book should change your life. If it doesn't then your mind must be very closed, indeed.
Fine Ethical Thesis: Touching Stories........2007-09-10
Do no harm is the essence of this book. It provides colorful insight into the real emotional lives of various animals. The author used a wide variety of sources, & field observations from wildlife biologists. The section on neurobiology were the most interesting for me. The fact that animals share several of our neural structures for emotion came as no surprise to this lay person. I have always felt {& have been bashed plenty for it}, that animals often represent the better half of human nature that we sometimes submerge. Dogs, Reptiles, Monkeys, Rats, Moon Bears, Whales & Elephants are all here. The latter are probably the most fascinating creatures in the book? The authors advocacy for animals was very refreshing to this animal lover. His basic thesis gives us a crucial point, "that if we are not certain about an animals emotions, we should presume that they often feel exactly what we humans do." For that compassionate view I had to up my four star impression to a hearty five.
Beautiful, sensative and scientific.......2007-08-14
wonderful exploration of cognitive ethology. Beckoff is not afraid to explore the sensitive side of the animal kingdom and use hard science to draw dynamic and bold conclusions that any animal lover knows to be true.
A splendid and important book.......2007-07-13
The Emotional Lives of Animals is a book rich in drama and beauty--as are the lives of our fellow animals. Persuading us with scientific evidence, personal experience, and heartwarming stories, Bekoff shows us how all of us--mammals and fish, birds and reptiles, humans and non- -- share many of the same emotions, social constructions and responses. This is a book I wish every human on the planet could read. It would change the world. And it well may yet. Thank you, Marc Bekoff, for your scientific acuity, your beautifully chosen words, and your warm heart.
--Sy Montgomery
author of The Good Good Pig
and other books
Of Course Animals Feel Things.......2007-06-07
I love the studies that try to make chimps 'speak' our language. How egocentric of us: how about scientists trying to speak their language and being tested on that? Just because we wear clothes doesn't make us the only feeling creatures God made. Ever see an animal run from headlights? Your pet in a bad mood? Puppies cuddle? Why is this even an issue? Because traditionally, feelings belonged to women and everyone knows women, children and the elderly don't rate worth a hoot so why should feelings in animals rate? With more men like this author, all that is changing. But until 'men' in science realize analysis is only so good and that feelings coupled with intelligence and intuition is what makes the world go round, we will continue to have this ridiculous debate. Let's face it. We just recently decided babies feel pain. Why? Because anything that can't talk is considered 'below' men and non-entities. Until the silent, pawed and everything that doesn't go to Harvard is afforded respect, we will join with this author in his quest to prove animals have feelings. So many of us have known this all along -
the same people who know that children feel and remember.
Customer Reviews:
Animals are Beautiful Souls.......2007-05-11
Animals are living, breathing, feeling, living, loving, soul-filled children of God, just as much as we human animals are.
Further, Animals can (and do) speak, only we ignorant human animals are too stupid to take the time to listen.
We human animals are legends in our own minds.
Animals deserve the same love, respect, compassion, and consideration that we afford to anyone else.
Animals have souls....... eternal souls.
To think otherwise is to be ignorant, arrogant, speciesist and one other thing: Wrong.
I highly recommend the book "The Souls of Animals".
It is much better than this book, and the author is much more enlightened than this one is, with all due respect.
Adopt a Cat or a Dog at your local shelter, bond with your new best friend,...... watch, listen and learn from them, and find out what true love and true evolution is all about.
"Man has alot to learn from the higher Animals"
-Mark Twain
Philosophising about animals.......2005-02-26
Mary Midgley examines the general principles that ought to guide our attitude to animals. Midgley quotes a large number of philosophers who in the past have philosophized about animals. Some of them have considered the question of what obligations, if any, we have towards animals. Their answers have depended both on what they take an animal to be and on what they consider to be the cause, the nature and the range of obligations. Descartes, for example, considered that, because animals lacked souls and, more importantly, reasoning faculties, they are mere machines. Even in Descartes' day, such a conclusion must have seemed very odd to anyone who had much to do with animals: for even if one agreed that they did lack souls and reasoning faculties, any farmer or hunter could have told Descartes that relationships with animals are radically different from relationships with machines. But even writers of our own time, while not thinking of animals as machines, still deny them the capacity of thought: R.G.Frey because thought requires language and animals cannot speak; Stuart Hampshire because in the absence of language they cannot have concepts. Yet the simplest observations of how animals communicate with each other and even with humans would seem to suggest that thought, concepts and reasoning do not depend totally on a human language.
Behaviourists go even further: we cannot even be sure that animals have feelings. The denial of thought and feelings to animals serve to erect such a strong barrier between the human and the animal species that we can exclude the animal species from the obligations we feel towards our fellow human beings. One of the most striking part of Midgley's book is her demonstration how easily past generations were able to overlook even other humans as belonging to a group towards which they had obligations. Thus the Athenians, who prided themselves on civic equality, and the Americans who proclaimed that all men were created equal, simply assumed that slaves did not count as humans: indeed Aristotle described slaves as being merely "living instruments". The Chartists demanded universal suffrage for men, but either did not even think of extending that demand to women or, if they did, found some rationalization for excluding them. The excluded groups were, in Midgley's words, consigned to the outer darkness, beyond the outer periphery of a group towards the members of which certain obligations were recognized. In the 20th century, denials of full membership of the group and the discrimination which this entails have been condemned under the name of various kinds of "-isms": racism for denying membership to other races, sexism for denying it to women, ageism for denying it to the old - and now speciesism for denying it to animals. Midgley's book is a sign that the time has come to widen the periphery of our obligations to include animals.
Midgley admits that it is natural to be more concerned with those who are closest to us, and she has a diagram of concentric circles to illustrate that we are concerned most immediately with our family, then with our tribe, then with our nation, then with our species, and only then with non-human species. We often treat appallingly badly and cast into the "outer darkness" human groups that are outside the smaller circles; but any ethically sensitive person has to condemn such behaviour: charity, as the proverb has it, begins at home, but it ought not to stop there. This is the principle that should also apply when we consider the outer circle of the non-human species.
Midgley's tone is always moderate and she never takes up the position of radical or extreme zoophiles who would want us to give to all animals exactly the same rights as we give to humans. She accepts that there must be some priority of considerations and that there can be situations where it is reasonable for us to put the interests of humans before those of animals, though she says that such cases are much fewer than is often supposed. They would include, for example, dealing with locusts and other pests. She does not go into specific details about killing animals for food; but one can deduce from her text that she would accept that Eskimoes cannot be vegetarians and are therefore justified to kill for food, and that she does not condemn pastoral societies who treat their animals well prior to slaughtering them. On the other hand she clearly abhors stuffing geese to produce paté de foie gras. She states the general principle that great suffering inflicted on animals on the outer periphery ought to weigh against the minor advantage that this might bring to those within the inner circles.
One would like to think that at the end of her examination, Midgley had arrived at positions which most sensitive people would have reached without all that philosophizing, guided merely by their humanity and common sense. Most of them would understand instinctively why animals matter; but unfortunately many people give this understanding such a low priority that as citizens they do not do enough to take on the vested interests and those who are too apathetic to care very much. Perhaps this well-written and wise little book would stir them into action.
A must for anyone interested in Animals & Ethics.......1998-03-03
When I taught a course on Animals and Ethics, I chose this volume over all others as my primary text. While Peter Singer's ANIMAL LIBERATION first awoke my consciousness to the tragedy of the manner in which humans have regarded and treated animals, I found the philosophical underpinnings of his work (a form of utilitarianism) troublesome (for reasons I won't go into here). On the other hand, I found Tom Regan's THE CASE FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS, to be far too Kantian. Midgley discusses a wide-ranging group of philosophers, but doesn't overly attach herself to any particular moral philosophy. As a result, she is less doctrinaire than any of the other major writers on the topic. The book reeks of common sense, in the way that the English so often seem to have mastered. Just a wonderful, unjustly neglected book.
Book Description
Signed up for a half-marathon and not sure what you've gotten yourself into? Absolute Beginner's Guide to Half-Marathon Training: Get Ready to Run or Walk a 5K, 8K, 10K or Half-Marathon Race is an easy-to-understand introduction to the world of running half-marathon, or shorter, race. Endorsed by the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, this book is packed with illustrations, notes on how to stay motivated and tips on how to train without pain. It will guide you through your marathon-training program and show you how to find the appropriate clothing and shoes, prevent and treat injuries and warm-up before running. Even if you are walking a shorter distance, this is a beneficial training manual. So run, or walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of ABG to Half-Marathon Training today!
Download Description
Signed up for a half-marathon and not sure what you've gotten yourself into? Absolute Beginner's Guide to Half-Marathon Training: Get Ready to Run or Walk a 5K, 8K, 10K or Half-Marathon Race is an easy-to-understand introduction to the world of running half-marathon, or shorter, race. Endorsed by the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, this book is packed with illustrations, notes on how to stay motivated and tips on how to train without pain. It will guide you through your marathon-training program and show you how to find the appropriate clothing and shoes, prevent and treat injuries and warm-up before running. Even if you are walking a shorter distance, this is a beneficial training manual. So run, or walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of ABG to Half-Marathon Training today!
Customer Reviews:
Quite pleased.......2007-05-15
Being new to the whole fitness area, this book is a god-send. I have been quite pleased...it's helping me to train for the 10k portion of a local marathon that my relay team is participating in. I know that by following the guidelines and training schedule, I will be prepared and will not push myself too far and risk injury.
great for beginners.......2006-12-03
I bought this book to help me train for my first half-marathon. I found it very useful with lots of information. It is very simple and easy to read while still providing good techinical information. I feel that I will be very well prepared for my half marathon in the spring!
Helpful!.......2006-11-10
I purchased this book to help me train for my first half marathon. There were many tips I'd not thought of, things that really truly helped me. I've done many 5K's - but even that section helped as well for me to do even better for the short races. I recommend this book if you are a beginning marathoner - - even if you have some experience as I had -- to sort of boost that confidence level a bit!
Get Ready To Run Faster.......2005-09-16
This is a great book that was easy to read, with ideas and workouts that were easy to incorporate into my training, racing and nutrition. Before I had this book, I was frequently injured and I had run a half-marathon in two hours. In the nine months since I got the book, I have run a 1:37:51, and then a 1:24:48 and I believe I'll go faster in the future. If you want to run faster and healthier, you should get this book.
Useful Information - Easy to Read.......2005-09-16
This book provided great information that I could actually apply to my own training and nutrition. It is easy to read and easy to use to plan my workouts. I'm seeing improvement in my running and training is more fun. I'd recommend it for anyone starting out or stuck at a running pace on which they know they can improve.
Book Description
A five step program for successful racing at 10 and 5 kilometers...the two most popular race distances. Run up the training pyramid with these five steps. One. Build mileage and aerobic base while maintaining legspeed with fartlek running. Two. Run hills and other resistance training and use strength training to build your running muscles. Three. Turn this strength into speed endurance with anaerobic threshold running at 15K race pace. Four. Further improve running efficiency and your VO2 max by running intervals at 2 mile to 5K race pace. Five. Race Peaking. Resting and special speed sessions to reach the peak of your pyramid. 60 pages of training schedules for 20 to 100 miles per week; for the less intense to the serious racers.
Customer Reviews:
Suberb training programs and running tips.......2003-03-06
Great tips on the physiology of training for beginners and running technigue and numerous tips for experienced runners. The programs are concise and easy to follow and allow runners to select the length of program by staying at each level until they are ready to move to the next type of training.
David takes you through all the methods of training and asks you to run at the slowest paces which will achieve the huge physiological and race time improvements.
He does not waste your legs with fast Intervals. He gets you to 100 percent of your VO2 max with sedate Intervals at the right running pace for your current level.
Before that he gets your muscles strong with sensible hill training that does not kill your legs, and improves your anaerobic threshold to delay the point at which you reach oxygen debt/lactate threshold.
He has 20 pages on each of the major training intensities, then summarizes each one at the start of the training programs. You can read one paragraph on why you should run at anaerobic threshold (page 151) and then run the sessions, then read the entire Chapter on threshold training at your leisure.
Likewise for VO2 max training and hills during which he'll have you run at the sloest pace for maximum racing gains.
My boyfriend and co-worker love this book too, despite the fact that they are 30 miles per week in running and 10 minutes apart at the 5K apart.
Very Basic.......2002-09-11
This is a very bland book with little new to offer. The book is broken down into the most basic systems of training. If you like to keep things very simple you might like the book.
If you want more scientific information, running pace tables, and more detailed information about the hows and whys of training, I would suggest one of the "Daniels" books.
As a long time runner this is one of the books I will look through once and put aside. If you are an experienced runner and racer you will probably be wasting your money.
Great advice.......2001-12-19
David helped me with everything from running form to the many types of training needed for running, let alone racing 5K and 10Ks. Included several things I'd never tried before such as bounding and downhill striders for relaxed speed running and stronger quods, butt muscles, hip flexors and calves. This book can take time off of your personal record.
Excellent training program for PRs.......2001-12-08
I took two minutes off of my 10K with the program for 40 miles per week and two speed running sessions each week. He gives the reasons for each type of training, yet the short explanation took only 7 pages for my program. Just as he suggested, I then referred to the more detailed chapters as needed. My girlfriend is using the 20 miles a week program and her running form has improved significantly.
Better Choices, especially if you are new........2001-09-21
This book was very disappointing, not only in it's content, but also in its production. The content is not as organized as some of the other books on the market (Glover, Theil) and seems to gloss over a lot of fundamentals. If you are new to the sport, I would strongly advise another book as following this could lead you to injury. If you are more experienced, there are some concepts and suggestions that you could benefit from, but still look at options.
The production of the book is another issue: Pages stuck together and several pages were placed in the wrong order, missing and duplicated. Frankly, if the publisher's qualtity is not that up to par, it damages one's faith in the quality of the content.
Book Description
Make your workouts count with the breakthrough system that synchronizes your energy levels with training effort. Instead of fighting your body to finish a workout just because it's written on the calendar, choose the most effective workouts from 5K and 10K Training based on your body's capacity to perform at any given time.
Effort-based training maximizes training adaptation by matching the goal of each workout with its optimal training level: hard when energy and recovery are high and easy when stress or recovery is low. Effort-based training also gives you the most control over the training process, allowing you to stay injury free while actually increasing the energy you have available for workouts. Sample programs contain a variety of schedules and detailed workouts for developing five race-specific abilities.
Run stronger and faster with more energy by using the proven system in 5K and 10K Training. With customized programs to choose from and accompanying training logs to record and evaluate your progress, this unique system is the fastest way to reach your training goals.
Customer Reviews:
Useless book........2006-11-29
I agree with other reader about lack of any scientific backing of author's claims. He is going on and on about your "energy" and doesn't give you any actual advices about running.
Don't Waste Your Money On This Book .......2006-04-29
So exactly how much research has the author actually performed on 5K and 10K training?
"Many readers have asked me whether I research my books. I don't research them as much as I think about how to solve various problems. My thinking is inseparable from my writing and I NEVER (emphasis added) research what others have said on a topic while I'm writing."
Swear to God, the above quote is the first paragraph in the author's Acknowledgemnts.
That self-acknowledged lack of research will immediately become painfully obvious to even the most casual 5K or 10K runner who somehow happens to be unfortunate enough to accidently purchase this book.
Don't do it.
Superb.......2006-02-25
I've read every popular book on training for distance runners since 1970 - and many that were published before that. I worked at Runner's World 1972-76; I mention this only because I hope it will lend weight to what I'd like to say about Brian Clarke's
<5K and 10K Training>: simply, that it's the best book on the subject I've ever read. No one has talked intelligently about training from the perspective of how a runner
during his/her workouts. Clarke does this wonderfully well, with relaxed and thorough common sense. Most books on training are much too broad - the training programs they offer make sense, but they don't tell you how to adjust them to your specific, individual needs - which change continually according to your present level of fitness, fatigue, sleep patterns, diet, the weather, etc. Clarke explains, with unprecedented clarity, how to take any program, including his, and put your body's needs in first place. As he explains, this is extremely important, because not to do so - applying rigid training plans regardless of your body's messages - is the fastest way to get in trouble. This is a great, modest, readable, extremely helpful book. Thanks, Brian.
Average customer rating:
|
Aurora (Transform Your Life and Your Running)
Ph.D. Owen Anderson
Manufacturer: SSS Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Aerobics
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0966372611 |
Product Description
Aurora is a delicious mixture of inspiration and practical, research-based training advice. Instead of being a dry, how-to-train manual, Aurora combines physiology, up-to-date training techniques, sports nutrition, and race strategies.
Books:
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- The Urban Whale: North Atlantic Right Whales at the Crossroads
- The Wild Girl
- The Worship Warrior: Ascending in Worship: Descending in War (Lifepoints (Paperback))
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