Peter Culley: To the Dogs

"Culley's book celebrates the relationships between people and their dogs—or perhaps, dogs and their people. The writer accompanies his essay with dozens of beautiful photographs by various photographers.... The ideal coffee table book for your dog-obsessed friends and family."—Seattle Weekly

The history of the relationship between canines and humans is more complex than one would think. From Sparta to Stalingrad, the dogs of war, cleanup, guard duty, and companionship have been at our side; their loyalty knows no bounds, whether they are beloved pets or guardians of riot police or unsavory fight fans.

From companion to full-fledged member of the tribe, the dog has irrevocably moved into our homes, hearts, and minds to such an extent that the boundaries between “owner” and “pet” have dissolved. The historical and contemporary photographs of To the Dogs explore this human-canine connection in ways that are alternately surprising, endearing, disturbing, and beautiful.

The images range from William Wegman, Larry Towell, and Eadweard Muybridge to depictions of local dog shows, a Moscow circus, a dogfight in Sarajevo, and a dog hotel in Japan. A major essay by the poet Peter Culley explores the international citizenry of dogs, and why they can tell us more about ourselves and our culture than we care to admit.

To the Dogs features 150 full-page photographs, including 50 in color.

Peter Culley is the author of six books of poetry. He has also written extensively on visual art in various books and magazines for the past two decades.