Zoo: A History of Zoological Gardens in the West Paperback – May 15, 2004

I am working on a paper about the San Diego Zoo and needed some books to help with my research. My expectations were not high for this - but it is actually a book I will keep and treasure. The illustrations are fantastic - historical, artistic, curious images that present the non-idealized and historical perspective of the zoo - much as the writing tries to flesh out an ethical and cultural one. This book began to form my awareness of our relationship to animals as a measure of our cultural ideas about the "Other" and our perception of their subjectivity and its expression. Important to understanding our relationship to all beings!

As an artist interested in the historical role zoos have played in forming people ideas and relationships to animals this book is very informative. The images are really great and artistic as well. It could almost be a contemporary art book. Thus, this book would not be for everyone. It is not a celebration of modern zoo practices. I think the Amazon posted book journal reviews are more truthful about the book's great content. I am an animal and nature lover too and that is why I'm interested in the perceptions and relationships of humans to animals and nature.

The only real value of this book are the interesting historical photos. The authors are clearly anti-zoo (while I am a zoo lover) and portray zoos in a negative light. Certainly there were many substandard enclosures in old zoos and this seems to be the focus of this book (highlighting primarily European zoos). This may be fair enough, but I get the impression the authors have not personally visited a zoo in the last two decades. Zoos today are vastly improved and do important conservation work, something these authors choose to ignore. Unless you are a zoo history buff and want to see some interesting historical photos, I would not recommend this book.

Certainly not a good book - but it contains a few interesting drawings and photos.

Good book containing info needed for university. Arrived early and in good condition.

Detailed and informative, was a great aid to my latest research.

great book