A groundbreaking meditation on our human-animal relationships and the moral code that binds it. Adam's Task, Vicki Hearne's innovative masterpiece on animal training, brings our perennial discussion of the human-animal bond to a whole new metaphysical level. Based on studies of literary criticism, philosophy, and extensive hands-on experience in training, Hearne asserts, in boldly anthropomorphic terms, that animals (at least those that interact more with humans) are far more intelligent than we assume. In fact, they are ...
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A groundbreaking meditation on our human-animal relationships and the moral code that binds it. Adam's Task, Vicki Hearne's innovative masterpiece on animal training, brings our perennial discussion of the human-animal bond to a whole new metaphysical level. Based on studies of literary criticism, philosophy, and extensive hands-on experience in training, Hearne asserts, in boldly anthropomorphic terms, that animals (at least those that interact more with humans) are far more intelligent than we assume. In fact, they are capable of developing an understanding of "the good," a moral code that influences their motives and actions. Drawing on an eclectic range of influences�Nietzsche, T. S. Eliot, Disney animal trainer William Koehler, and Genesis from the Bible, among others�Hearne writes in contemplative, exploratory, and brilliant prose as she interweaves personal anecdotes with philosophy. Hearne develops an entirely new system of animal training that contradicts modern animal behavioral research and that, as her examples show, is astonishingly effective. Widely praised, highly influential, and now with a new foreword by New York Times bestselling author Karen Joy Fowler, Adam's Task will make every trainer, animal psychologist, and animal-lover stop, think, and question.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 296 p. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers.
I read this book because it was the basis for the dog training techniques in "The Life of Edgar Sawtelle". The author is a dog and horse trainer as well as a poet and philosopher which is an odd combination and makes for some difficult reading. It's a book worth reading if you train dogs or horses as I do. Vickie Hearne asks the question, what do the animals think about us? If you care about the answer to this question this book is for you. There are also some practical training "tips" that will amuse and enlighten.
kitgordon
Jun 4, 2009
Interesting, but
Vicki Hearne was an animal trainer, a writer, and a philosopher of sorts. I had high hopes for this book, but her prose was a serious handicap to making it though the book (which I ultimately did). She has some interesting ideas, but desperately needed a good editor to help clarify the points she was trying to make and to simplify her style somewhat.
