Who Harnessed the Horse?: The Story of Animal Domestication - Hardcover

Animal by animal, from ``Man's First Best Friend'' and the most familiar species (the chapter entitled ``Who Cooped the Chicken?'' also covers other fowl) to camels and elephants, small creatures (rabbits, bees, silkworms), ``Animals That Lost Their Jobs'' (Indian emperors' cheetahs once rode horses to the hunt), and recent innovations like ``Dolphin Divers and Monkey Butlers.'' Basing her suggestions on archeological evidence and different animal characteristics, Facklam postulates how and why the first links were made, discusses the many uses of various species and how they've affected human development, and cogently weaves in topics such as selective breeding (most extensive with dogs; not done at all with elephants). She closes on a thoughtful appreciative note: ``They opened the door to civilization. Do we give them enough in return?'' The format is attractive, even though the rather undistinguished b&w illustrations sometimes fail to amplify intriguing descriptions in the text. Overall: a fascinating, lucid, and detailed survey that feeds both the intellect and the imagination. Glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 8- 12) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Grade 4-8-- Science and history students will find information for reports in this volume that surveys a broad range of animals that serve humankind, from familiar farm animals through camel, llama, elephant, rabbit, and bee. Brief information on insects, fish, and shellfish expands the realm into the unfamiliar. The narrative presents history, lore, and breeds, including many unusual facts. Written in an informal style, the text sometimes switches from first to third person, and occasionally second. Sharp readers will also note that the tense shifts within some paragraphs, from past to present. Black-and-white drawings illustrate the various types of animals described, and show them in relation to humans. One chapter contains two caption errors: a pinto is labelled ``Appaloosa,'' and a ``Walking horse'' is clearly trotting in American Saddlebred style. Consider this supplementary to works on individual animals, although it does expand such books as Curtis's Animal Partners (Lodestar, 1982) and Clemens's SuperAnimals and Their Unusual Careers (Westminster, 1979; o.p.). --Charlene Strickland, formerly at Albuquerque Public Library , NM
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.