Simon Barnes picks 100 animals which had been important in our history - and then writes an essay about each of them. They have served different roles, some of them being important because of what they are and some because of what people had done to them (the poor dodo for example). Most of the animals in the book are still with us but quite a lot are gone or on the verge of being extinct. Most essays tell you something about the biology and sociology of the animal but the bulk of the text is about their influence on humanity (and ours on them). Some of the choices are very specific and then the text tell you that they stand for a whole group of animals (the singing birds for example); some appear to be more generic.

The book is international in some ways but the Britishness of the author comes through in places, especially when dealing with animals which are present on the islands. There is also a very strong conservation slant to most of the essays - but not the "we need to save all" variety - it is the more moderate approach which takes into consideration what will happen to the habitats that wins the day in the narrative.

And through all of the essays runs the big thread of habitat protection - no matter what ends up killing off an animal type, it always comes down to that - destroyed habitats make it impossible for them to survive. And if we keep on carrying on as before, we will keep losing them.

The publisher printed the book on heavy enough stock for the illustrations and photographs (most essays have at least 3 of them) to look wonderful. The author chose a mix of classical art, photography and modern art and that in a combination with the somewhat short essays (4 to 6 pages) makes that a wonderful book to just open at a random place and enjoy. There are some cross references - both forward and backwards but even if you do not follow them, the essays work on their own.

The book won't give you as much information for every animal as their respective Wikipedia articles or a proper book about them but it is a nice primer and a nice book to slowly work through. ( )

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning

Several new works of nonfiction explore the long history of planet Earth including the relatively recent impact of humans and other animals. Each provides a unique perspective and context for investigation.

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A History of the World in 100 Animals
Simon Barnes, May 2022, Pegasus Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: World history, Animals

A HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 ANIMALS explores dozens of animals that have had a close relationship with humans across the millennia. From the honeybee to the giant squid, Barnes examines the connection between humans and the other creatures that inhabit the Earth. Each animal is presented through a short, conversational essay.
Take-aways: This interdisciplinary work blends history, culture, art, and life science. Of particular note are the outstanding full-color illustrations, short quotes from literature, and engaging anecdotes that bring the animals to life. Students of all ages enjoy learning about animals. Educators will find fascinating examples to engage students across the curriculum. Use an animal essay as a springboard to inquiry or writing. ( )