Wild animals have fascinated human observers since time immemorial. The story of our interest in collecting, classifying and dominating Nature looms large; thus it is surprising that the history of menageries, zoological gardens and zoos as we know them today has been so poorly documented. This gap is addressed by "Zoo". In the Renaissance, wealthy aristocrats showcased exotic beasts in private menageries. Safely caged, animals inspired the interest of naturalists and fed the curiosity of the masses. By the nineteenth century, increased urbanization and colonization aided the expansion of zoos in which animals were tamed to serve as domesticated livestock. Nowadays, with many natural habitats under threat of extinction, the social function of zoos is less clear. Such institutions both present the illusion of wild animals in a natural state to a nostalgic public and find themselves justifying their existence as saviours of endangered species.
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`The stark elegance of Eric Baratay and Elisabeth Hardouin-Fugier's argument pulls no punches. Illustrations punctuate the text with an appropriate, and sometimes saddening beauty. What emerges is a history of the craze for the Other.' --The Guardian
`A fascinating and wide-ranging history of zoos from the menageries attached to aristocratic palaces and villas in the 1500s to those in modern cities . . . provides the intriguing and often harrowing background to one of the most agonising dilemmas of our time: with ever more species threatened with extinction in their natural habitat, should we seek to preserve them in special sanctuaries and if so where and how?' --The Times
`. . . a richly informative book. An absolute must for those interested in zoo history - or anyone fascinated by Homo sapiens' changing relationship with our fellow creatures.' --New Scientist
'For those who wish, nostalgically, to enjoy the pleasures of antique zoo edifices, this lavishly illustrated book offers many rare and fascinating drawings and photographs, while also explaining the complex changes in social attitudes to the keeping of wild beasts in captivity. It is a scholarly and wonderfully researched study providing many insights into what has become an increasingly controversial subject.' --RIBA Journal
'Not just a compendium of pretty pictures - though you'll be stunned by the 400 images - this book traces the history of zoos throughout the world. Among similar books, it is unique in exploring the social ramifications of our relations with the peaceable kingdom.'
--Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
`A fascinating and wide-ranging history of zoos from the menageries attached to aristocratic palaces and villas in the 1500s to those in modern cities . . . provides the intriguing and often harrowing background to one of the most agonising dilemmas of our time: with ever more species threatened with extinction in their natural habitat, should we seek to preserve them in special sanctuaries and if so where and how?' --The Times
`. . . a richly informative book. An absolute must for those interested in zoo history - or anyone fascinated by Homo sapiens' changing relationship with our fellow creatures.' --New Scientist
'For those who wish, nostalgically, to enjoy the pleasures of antique zoo edifices, this lavishly illustrated book offers many rare and fascinating drawings and photographs, while also explaining the complex changes in social attitudes to the keeping of wild beasts in captivity. It is a scholarly and wonderfully researched study providing many insights into what has become an increasingly controversial subject.' --RIBA Journal
'Not just a compendium of pretty pictures - though you'll be stunned by the 400 images - this book traces the history of zoos throughout the world. Among similar books, it is unique in exploring the social ramifications of our relations with the peaceable kingdom.'
--Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
About the Author
Eric Baratay is Senior Lecturer in History at the Universite Jean-Moulin, Lyon. Elisabeth Hardouin-Fugier is Professor of Art History at the Universite Jean-Moulin, Lyon. She is the author of many books, including A History of French Still Life in the Nineteenth Century (1998).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book as part of research into zoos. It was the only book I could find on the history of zoos and how attitudes have changed towards them over the last 2 centuries. It covers zoos from the 1800's up to the modern day, and gives an idea of how zoos originally started out as private collections, was then linked to fashion, showing the most exotic, used for circus entertainment and finally up to the conservation of species. The text is generally good, but in places is quite long winded and jumpy, and often it is not clear what the author is trying to say! There are several places where the author is discussing zoos in the 1800's and within a few lines has moved on to the 1900's without any clear links as to why. However, it is a very useble book, and a nice size. It has some good pictures, though there is rather too much zoo art, and not enough of different cage designs and exhibits, for my liking.
Despit these few shortcoming, as the only book on the market I could find covering zoo history, it successfully acheives its aims of depicting changing zoos through the ages.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2.3 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
biased book
24 Jan 2012
By Fotofred
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A critical and educational look at the history of the zoo
18 Oct 2012
By Toadspotter
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
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.
1 of 19 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
No need to buy
13 May 2009
By Gatorman
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Certainly not a good book - but it contains a few interesting drawings and photos.
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2.3 out of 5 stars
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