Giraffe (Animal) - Softcover

Williams, Edgar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1861897642 ISBN 13: 9781861897640

Publisher: Reaktion Books, 2011

Synopsis

Their extraordinary long necks, distinctive camouflage, graceful movements, and friendly nature have made giraffes one of the most fascinating and beloved animals on the planet.  But while giraffes once roamed the Great Plains of Africa in huge herds, their numbers have greatly diminished, and they are now entirely dependent on humanity for their survival. In Giraffe, Edgar Williams explores not only the biology of the tallest animals on earth, but also their impact on human history—including in ancient Egypt, where giraffes were kept as exotic pets; the Middle Ages, when giraffes were considered mythical beasts as improbable and mysterious as the dragon; and the Victorian era, in which giraffe hunting was considered an exhilarating sport.

            Giraffe is the first book to provide a comprehensive, twenty-first-century view of the giraffe in art, literature, film, and popular culture, as well as its natural history from prehistory to modern times. With new insights into the giraffe’s genetics and evolution, this book will appeal to those interested in the giraffe’s unique biology and to anyone who admires the majestic giraffe.

About this title

About the Author:

Edgar Williams is a reader in respiratory science and technology at the University of South Wales. He is the author of several books with Reaktion Books, including Moon: Nature and Culture, Ostrich, and Giraffe.
 

Review:

'Williams presents a strong history of giraffes in the human context ... Williams's book has tremendous warmth, and illustrations from prehistory to the present reinforce our evolving sense of wonder at this gentle long-necked giant.' - TLS 'a survey of the evolutionary history, physiology and ecology of the animal and a serendipitous account of its appearances in art, lore and literature, all profusely illustrated ... informative and useful enough to justify a place on library shelves.' - African Research and Documentation

About this edition

• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1861897642
• ISBN 13: 9781861897640
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 174