What do you think?
Rate this book
We know very little about the fox and its habits—and our ignorance, Martin Wallen argues, is rooted in the fox’s bad reputation. Lowly, sly, and classified as vermin, foxes raid henhouses and garbage bins, spread disease, and injure domestic pets. At the same time, foxes are often considered beautiful, mysterious, and even oddly human. This book is the first to fully explore the fox as the object of both derision and fascination, from the forests of North America to the deserts of Africa to the Arctic tundra.
Whether portrayed as an unrepentant thief, a shape-shifter, or an outlaw, the fox’s primary purpose in literature, Wallen demonstrates, is to disrupt human order. In Chinese folklore, for example, the fox becomes a cunning mistress, luring human men away from their wives. Wallen also discusses the numerous ways in which fox-related terms have entered the vernacular, from “foxy lady” to the process of “foxing,” or souring beer during fermentation. Thoughtful and illuminating, Fox shows that this lovely creature is as beguiling as it is controversial.
Whether portrayed as an unrepentant thief, a shape-shifter, or an outlaw, the fox’s primary purpose in literature, Wallen demonstrates, is to disrupt human order. In Chinese folklore, for example, the fox becomes a cunning mistress, luring human men away from their wives. Wallen also discusses the numerous ways in which fox-related terms have entered the vernacular, from “foxy lady” to the process of “foxing,” or souring beer during fermentation. Thoughtful and illuminating, Fox shows that this lovely creature is as beguiling as it is controversial.
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
11 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 23, 2017
سبب قراءتي للكتاب هو أنه هو الكتاب الإلكتروني الوحيد القصير الموجود على مكتبة جوالي: فأصبحت صفحاته رفيق دائم في أوقات الإنتظار المملة، صفحة في طابور تقديم أوراق الوظائف، وصفحة في الطائرة، وصفحة ثالثة أثناء اجتماع طويل وممل. لينتهي بي الحال إلى الغرق في الكتاب لنهايته برحلة طائرة استمر الطفل بجانبي فيها بالبكاء طوال ثلاثة ساعات.
الثعلب متصل بحياتنا أكثر مما كنت أظن - وفي الحقيقة لم أكن أفكر فيه أبداً من قبل، حسناً يوجد "حصني" أو ثعلب رمادي في المزرعة والكل يتشكى من سرقته للدجاجات، لكن لم أفكر به يوماً كحيوان متصل بحياتنا ومتقاطع معها كما جعلني الكتاب أفكر فيه: فهو في قصص الأطفال دائم الوجود كعنصر واسع الحيلة شديد المكر.
كانت رحلة ممتعة جداً صراحة، لأن أتعرف أكثر على الثعلب "الماكر" و "الدنيء" وأتلصص على حياته وتاريخه
الثعلب متصل بحياتنا أكثر مما كنت أظن - وفي الحقيقة لم أكن أفكر فيه أبداً من قبل، حسناً يوجد "حصني" أو ثعلب رمادي في المزرعة والكل يتشكى من سرقته للدجاجات، لكن لم أفكر به يوماً كحيوان متصل بحياتنا ومتقاطع معها كما جعلني الكتاب أفكر فيه: فهو في قصص الأطفال دائم الوجود كعنصر واسع الحيلة شديد المكر.
كانت رحلة ممتعة جداً صراحة، لأن أتعرف أكثر على الثعلب "الماكر" و "الدنيء" وأتلصص على حياته وتاريخه
July 16, 2025
التاريخ الطبيعي للثعلب، اكتساب فهمًا أعمق لبيولوجيا حيوان وانتشارُه وتأثيرُه البيئيُّ على نطاقٍ واسع. هذا الكتابَ، في جوهره، ركّزَ بشكلٍ رئيسيٍّ على التصورات الاجتماعية لهذا المخلوق الغامض. وبينما وجدتُ القصصَ والرواياتِ التاريخيةَ مثيرةً للاهتمام، وسلوكَ البشرِ الغريبَ تجاهَ الثعلبِ جديرًا بالتأمل، يسعى إلى فهمِ الأبعادِ الإنسانيةِوالثقافيةِ التي يُشكّلُها الثعلب
April 25, 2018
Fox, while a good and interesting book, did not delve deeply enough into the actual natural history of the fox to please me. While the first section was very interesting - and the ultimate conclusion drawn from it telling - there wasn't enough attention paid to it throughout the rest of the book. Too much of the book was anthropocentric - what the fox means to us, and how we deal with that. There wasn't nearly enough as to why the fox means what it does to us, beyond a flirting interest in Aristotle and deep unease.
And wouldn't we like to know more about the taxonomic mysteries? The way the grey fox and red fox differ, not to mention the arctic fox. Were red foxes introduced for hunting, and grey foxes native to North America? Too much of those sorts of issues were not mentioned, while the bulk of the book focused upon fox hunting and its shift from an aristocratic sport to a middle class one. It disappointed me further that no real mention was made of fox penning as it still happens in North America, and there wasn't nearly enough focus on the loopholes that exist to allow fox hunting to continue in Britain - something The Fox Book helpfully went into.
Nonetheless, this book does do a good job of explaining what we talk about when we talk about foxes. How they are derided and hated, but simultaneously held up to be symbols of rakishness, of upending social mores, of sensuality and desire. The fox is liminal, loved as fur but hated as an animal - and then even their fur is sold and deemed fake. We love them in our yards, but we think little of their destruction.
Little was also mentioned about people who keep pet foxes, and the Russian fox experiments that have allowed that to be possible. It may have been that the idea of foxes teaching us more about domestication itself was deemed inconvenient, as so much of this book depends upon the fox being unreachable. But domesticated foxes do exist, and are continuing to be developed. Their natural musk and marking behavior declines over generations, they gain interesting coat colors, their tails at times curl, their ears turn floppy... None of this was mentioned in this book, although the information was readily available when the book was published.
Even grey foxes and arctic foxes have successfully been bred in this manner, with grey foxes being deemed fairly good house pets for exotic animal owners.
They're odd - it would be nice to delve more into their habits, their haunts, why they have developed to be the "catlike canine." I hope to learn more about it in time.
And wouldn't we like to know more about the taxonomic mysteries? The way the grey fox and red fox differ, not to mention the arctic fox. Were red foxes introduced for hunting, and grey foxes native to North America? Too much of those sorts of issues were not mentioned, while the bulk of the book focused upon fox hunting and its shift from an aristocratic sport to a middle class one. It disappointed me further that no real mention was made of fox penning as it still happens in North America, and there wasn't nearly enough focus on the loopholes that exist to allow fox hunting to continue in Britain - something The Fox Book helpfully went into.
Nonetheless, this book does do a good job of explaining what we talk about when we talk about foxes. How they are derided and hated, but simultaneously held up to be symbols of rakishness, of upending social mores, of sensuality and desire. The fox is liminal, loved as fur but hated as an animal - and then even their fur is sold and deemed fake. We love them in our yards, but we think little of their destruction.
Little was also mentioned about people who keep pet foxes, and the Russian fox experiments that have allowed that to be possible. It may have been that the idea of foxes teaching us more about domestication itself was deemed inconvenient, as so much of this book depends upon the fox being unreachable. But domesticated foxes do exist, and are continuing to be developed. Their natural musk and marking behavior declines over generations, they gain interesting coat colors, their tails at times curl, their ears turn floppy... None of this was mentioned in this book, although the information was readily available when the book was published.
Even grey foxes and arctic foxes have successfully been bred in this manner, with grey foxes being deemed fairly good house pets for exotic animal owners.
They're odd - it would be nice to delve more into their habits, their haunts, why they have developed to be the "catlike canine." I hope to learn more about it in time.
December 14, 2016
Perhaps I was spoilt by Helen Macdonald's amazing Falcon but this was just not as good as what I was hoping for. I wanted a mix of cultural history (which this does a good job with, especially the history of foxhunting) and solid natural science, but Wallen does cultural history all the way; I began this knowing very few facts about foxes and even when Wallen is supposedly talking about the actual animal, he is more interested in what the human names for the various fox species supposedly indicates about our fear of cthonic earth powers etc etc. He also makes ridiculous generalisations about 'pagan practises' and all that sort of historical laziness. I am not quite sorry I read it because the foxhunting chapter was fascinating, but the rest was not particularly worthwhile.
June 30, 2024
Step into the mysterious world of the fox.
Why did I buy this book...well because I was curious about foxes....mainly, as Wallen suggests, because of the kid’s books and Aesops fables etc that I’ve read over the years. 9Including the works of Beatrix Potter and John Masefield’s wonderful poem “Reynard the fox” ...with those wonderful alliterative lines:
Like a rocket shot to a ship ashore,
The lean red bolt of his body tore
Like a ripple of wind running swift on grass,
Like a shadow on wheat when a cloud blows past,
Those lines have stayed with me for more than 60 years...as has the image of the fox.
But, confession time: I’ve only read this book as the Blinkist summary and the review is just based on the summary .....so not really fair to the original author. Here are some snippets that caught my attention:
Most of us believe that we know a thing or two about foxes, because we’re all familiar with at least a few stories involving foxes. Children love fables about the fiery red animal–as small and frail as themselves–but clever enough to trick all the other animals, even the lion king.
But does the fox really deserve its Western reputation?
Aristotle was the first Westerner to classify the fox; later, his system was replaced by more scientific descriptions.
Aristotle was also a pioneer of zoology–the first person to describe and classify nature in a systematic way. This makes Aristotle the first Western thinker to categorize the fox. Since the fox is a hairy and bony creature that burrows in the earth, Aristotle placed it in the less respectable “cold and earthy” category. Creatures in Aristotle’s “warm and fluid” category were also considered closest to divinity and perfection, whereas the “earthy” creatures, including the fox, were furthest from divinity.
Today, we know of at least 21 species of fox, covering a broad range of habitats, and coming in many different sizes and colours. Though some foxes may appear rather cat-like, they all belong to the biological family Canidae, which also includes dogs, wolves and jackals. [The 21 species was new information for me].
Traditional stories depict foxes as either cunning and wicked, travellers between two worlds or fertility symbols.
Many cultures, including Christianity, have myths that portray the fox as a wicked, cowardly and cunning thief.....Other cultures have a more mystical view of the fox as a creature that can cross boundaries between the worlds of life and death, serve as a guide and even act as a shapeshifter. In Asian cultures, the fox is often represented as a shape-shifter whose spirit can take on human form to influence the affairs of people and even charm them into having sex. [I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Japan and certainly, there the fox is regarded as an amusing character in children’s books ....with some lovely illustrations...but also as a shape shifter spirit changing from a fox into a woman etc.]
Even the tail of a fox has been seen as a phallic object. In Japanese mythology, there are fox-spirits in fungi. Indeed, the name of a certain kind of mushroom, kitsune-no-chimpo, translates to the “fox’s penis.”
Some Western cultures have a violent relationship with the fox, hunting it for sport and killing it for its fur.
Foxes are considered a dangerous threat to farm animals. But, over time, the hunting of foxes turned into a prestigious and highly regulated sport for the upper classes. This changed in the nineteenth century, when the hunt became more structured and the kill was only a means to an end. At this point, the purpose of joining a hunt was to show that one belonged to high society and was able to play by its rules.
Foxes were hunted so relentlessly that Britain began importing them–and a ban was put on killing foxes outside of a hunt.
By 1925, Arctic fox fur sold for $ 150 in Alaska; upon arrival in London, however, the price skyrocketed to $ 2,800.
The influence of the fox has survived and flourishes in our language and in modern stories.
Have you ever wondered why the Japanese begin a telephone conversation by saying “moshi moshi”? This started from the belief that this nonsense phrase couldn’t be pronounced by fox-spirits, so when you say it to someone over the phone, you’re proving you’re a human and not a mischievous fox spirit!
There’s the popular character of Zorro, for example, whose name is Spanish for fox and signifies the cunning and fox-like qualities of the hero.
In fact, there’s no shortage of shows and movies that continue to perpetuate the various cultural associations of what it means to be a human with fox-like characteristics.
Some famous people even earned the nickname fox for their sneaky behavior. Erwin Rommel, a senior German Army officer, was given the name the “Desert Fox” for repeatedly escaping defeat in North Africa during World War II.
There is Jimi Hendrix’s classic song about a “Foxy Lady,” which popularized yet another use of the word. Here, it refers to the thrill of the hunt, with the foxy lady being the prey in a sexual adventure.
The key message in this book: What do we really know about the fox? While it may feel like a familiar animal, there are so many different cultural perceptions of the animal that it’s hard to say whether anyone has an accurate point of view. While some cultures portray it as cowardly, deceptive and evil, others see it as sly and cunning or mythologize it as a shapeshifter or guide to other worlds. What is obvious is that foxes have been a permanent fixture in our cultures and will continue to be for generations to come.
An interesting book...but probably not enough in this Blinkist summary to convince me to invest in reading the full book. Three stars from me.
Why did I buy this book...well because I was curious about foxes....mainly, as Wallen suggests, because of the kid’s books and Aesops fables etc that I’ve read over the years. 9Including the works of Beatrix Potter and John Masefield’s wonderful poem “Reynard the fox” ...with those wonderful alliterative lines:
Like a rocket shot to a ship ashore,
The lean red bolt of his body tore
Like a ripple of wind running swift on grass,
Like a shadow on wheat when a cloud blows past,
Those lines have stayed with me for more than 60 years...as has the image of the fox.
But, confession time: I’ve only read this book as the Blinkist summary and the review is just based on the summary .....so not really fair to the original author. Here are some snippets that caught my attention:
Most of us believe that we know a thing or two about foxes, because we’re all familiar with at least a few stories involving foxes. Children love fables about the fiery red animal–as small and frail as themselves–but clever enough to trick all the other animals, even the lion king.
But does the fox really deserve its Western reputation?
Aristotle was the first Westerner to classify the fox; later, his system was replaced by more scientific descriptions.
Aristotle was also a pioneer of zoology–the first person to describe and classify nature in a systematic way. This makes Aristotle the first Western thinker to categorize the fox. Since the fox is a hairy and bony creature that burrows in the earth, Aristotle placed it in the less respectable “cold and earthy” category. Creatures in Aristotle’s “warm and fluid” category were also considered closest to divinity and perfection, whereas the “earthy” creatures, including the fox, were furthest from divinity.
Today, we know of at least 21 species of fox, covering a broad range of habitats, and coming in many different sizes and colours. Though some foxes may appear rather cat-like, they all belong to the biological family Canidae, which also includes dogs, wolves and jackals. [The 21 species was new information for me].
Traditional stories depict foxes as either cunning and wicked, travellers between two worlds or fertility symbols.
Many cultures, including Christianity, have myths that portray the fox as a wicked, cowardly and cunning thief.....Other cultures have a more mystical view of the fox as a creature that can cross boundaries between the worlds of life and death, serve as a guide and even act as a shapeshifter. In Asian cultures, the fox is often represented as a shape-shifter whose spirit can take on human form to influence the affairs of people and even charm them into having sex. [I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Japan and certainly, there the fox is regarded as an amusing character in children’s books ....with some lovely illustrations...but also as a shape shifter spirit changing from a fox into a woman etc.]
Even the tail of a fox has been seen as a phallic object. In Japanese mythology, there are fox-spirits in fungi. Indeed, the name of a certain kind of mushroom, kitsune-no-chimpo, translates to the “fox’s penis.”
Some Western cultures have a violent relationship with the fox, hunting it for sport and killing it for its fur.
Foxes are considered a dangerous threat to farm animals. But, over time, the hunting of foxes turned into a prestigious and highly regulated sport for the upper classes. This changed in the nineteenth century, when the hunt became more structured and the kill was only a means to an end. At this point, the purpose of joining a hunt was to show that one belonged to high society and was able to play by its rules.
Foxes were hunted so relentlessly that Britain began importing them–and a ban was put on killing foxes outside of a hunt.
By 1925, Arctic fox fur sold for $ 150 in Alaska; upon arrival in London, however, the price skyrocketed to $ 2,800.
The influence of the fox has survived and flourishes in our language and in modern stories.
Have you ever wondered why the Japanese begin a telephone conversation by saying “moshi moshi”? This started from the belief that this nonsense phrase couldn’t be pronounced by fox-spirits, so when you say it to someone over the phone, you’re proving you’re a human and not a mischievous fox spirit!
There’s the popular character of Zorro, for example, whose name is Spanish for fox and signifies the cunning and fox-like qualities of the hero.
In fact, there’s no shortage of shows and movies that continue to perpetuate the various cultural associations of what it means to be a human with fox-like characteristics.
Some famous people even earned the nickname fox for their sneaky behavior. Erwin Rommel, a senior German Army officer, was given the name the “Desert Fox” for repeatedly escaping defeat in North Africa during World War II.
There is Jimi Hendrix’s classic song about a “Foxy Lady,” which popularized yet another use of the word. Here, it refers to the thrill of the hunt, with the foxy lady being the prey in a sexual adventure.
The key message in this book: What do we really know about the fox? While it may feel like a familiar animal, there are so many different cultural perceptions of the animal that it’s hard to say whether anyone has an accurate point of view. While some cultures portray it as cowardly, deceptive and evil, others see it as sly and cunning or mythologize it as a shapeshifter or guide to other worlds. What is obvious is that foxes have been a permanent fixture in our cultures and will continue to be for generations to come.
An interesting book...but probably not enough in this Blinkist summary to convince me to invest in reading the full book. Three stars from me.
October 21, 2017
I was hoping to learn more about the natural history of the fox, and come away with a deeper understanding of the biology of an animal whose distribution and ecological impact is widespread. Instead, this book predominately shared social perceptions of this enigmatic creature. Whilst I found the tales and historical accounts interesting, and the bizarre behavior of humans towards the Fox worth reflecting on, this book is likely to resonate with an audience that is motivated by gaining insight into the humanistic/cultural dimensions shaped by the fox, rather than biological interests.
April 23, 2018
Learned a lot about foxes, fox hunting, and fur farms in this book. Don't assume "faux fur" is a synthetic! (I always did.) Many times fox fur is being redyed, processed, and marketed as "faux fur". There's no standard in the fashion industry, so unless you know where that fur is sourced DON'T BUY IT. Pictures of foxes being electrocuted through their anus to their mouths may stun some people, but it's definitely worth reading if you're ignorant of the fur industry. (The fox facts and cultural history were good too, but you see what stuck with me.)
December 16, 2025
A fascinating look at the fox; the animal synonymised in Western European lore as sneaky, thieving and cunning, though revered in east Asia for their benevolence and ability to carry messages. After a discussion of the evolution and speciation of foxes around the world, the book looks at how they are viewed in different cultures. There is a specific long look around the English tradition of fox hunting, and then finally how foxes have been representing in 20th century marketing and entertainment.
November 1, 2018
good i did not know what is a wolf or a fox now i do
all the time i hear that it is a bad animal i gusess now it is not cause the fox is smart , wisdom .,... etc.
i want to be it i prefere to hunt with enjoy than to be hunted done
all the time i hear that it is a bad animal i gusess now it is not cause the fox is smart , wisdom .,... etc.
i want to be it i prefere to hunt with enjoy than to be hunted done
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2022
كتاب رائع ، و اكتشفت حاجات كتيرة و رموز مختلفة عن الثعلب اللي مكنتش اعرف معلومات كتيرة عنه ، بس الجميل اكتشاف رؤية الثعلب كأنه انسان و محاكمته طول الوقت و اعتباره كائن دنئ رغم انه معملش حاجة لكن التعامل معاه كان دائما قاسي
April 30, 2018
A very good review of the fox's role in human culture but badly formatted on the kindle version.
October 22, 2019
The fox is both earthy and fleet, the flaming life that comes from the ground
May 18, 2022
Interesting account of the Fox in myth and culture and its relationship with man.
February 12, 2014
عرض كتاب
الثعلب التاريخ الطبيعي والثقافي
محمود ثروت أبو الفضل
• اسم الكتاب: الثعلب: التاريخ الطبيعي والثقافي.
• العنوان بالإنجليزية: Fox by Martin Wallen.
• المؤلف: مارتن والن.
• ترجمة: ريم الذوادي.
• مراجعة: أسامة المنزلجي.
• سنة النشر: 1431هـ /2010م.
• دار النشر: هيئة أبو ظبي للثقافة والتراث (مشروع كلمة).
ا• لطبعة: الأولى.
• صفحات الكتاب: 204.
في كتابه: "التاريخ الطبيعي، بعموميته وحيثيَّاته"- Natural History, General and Particular يَصِف الكونت "جورج لويس بوفون" الثعلبَ، فيقول:
"يشتهر الثعلب بذكائه، وهو يَستَحِق هذه السُّمعة التي اكتسبها، وما يقوم به الذئب مستخدِمًا القوة البحتةَ، يقوم به الثعلب بحذاقة، ليُحقِّق في كثير من الأحيان نجاحًا أكبر من الذئب، وهو يَعتمِد على الذكاء أكثر من الحركة، ويَحتفِظ بموارده كلها داخل نفسه؛ ولأنه حاد الذهن ومتأنٍّ، وذكي وحكيم، يقوم الثعلب بتنويع سلوكه، محتفظًا دائمًا ببعض الحيل للظروف الطارئة".
صدر عن "المجمع الثقافي - كلمة" لهيئة أبو ظبي للثقافة والتراث، الطبعة الأولى من كتاب "الثعلب" للكاتب "مارتن والن": وهذا الكتاب أحد أجزاء "سلسلة الحيوانات - Animal Series"؛ وتبحث تلك السلسلة العلميَّة في التاريخ الطبيعي للحيوان - موضع الدراسة - حيث تُبرِز أنواعَ سلالاته المختلفة، وأماكن وجوده وتكاثُره، ودورة حياته الطبيعية، وصفاته البيئية الحياتية، كما تهتم تلك السلسلة أيضًا بالتاريخ الثقافي للحيوان؛ حيث تُلقي الضوءَ على أهم المعتقدات والأساطير والخرافات، التي مثَّلَ فيها الحيوان عنصرًا رئيسًا في تكوينها وانتشارها، وأيضًا يُبرِز التاريخ الثقافي تداخُلَ الحيوان في النِّتاج الأدبي والفني لأشهر الأدباء والفنانين والشعراء... وغيرهم.
يَستعرِض "مارتن والن" في فصول كتابه كيف ارتبط الثعلب تاريخيًّا بصفات الحُنْكة والذكاء مع كثير من الخِداع والمكر؛ والذي صبَغ "الطابَع العام" للثعلب بمدلول "الشر" في التراث الثقافي لكثير من الشعوب، التي شكَّلَ الثعلبُ عنصرًا مؤثِّرًا في أساطيرها وحكاياتها "الفلكلورية" الشعبية، ويبحث هذا الكتاب في طبيعة الثعلب الخاصة، والتي جعلته مخلوقًا بغيضًا لكثير من المخلوقات الأخرى، وعلى رأسها الإنسان؛ حيث يرى الكاتب أن كلَّ هذه التسميات والتصنيفات الذامَّة للثعلب تعود "إلى مَيل الثعلب للإخلال بالنظام السائد، ورفْضه الانصياع إلى تعريفنا المنهجي للطبيعة، وتعود أيضًا إلى تقليد قديم ينظر إلى الثعلب ككائن خبيث وشرير.
قد يبدو الثعلب سهلَ الدراسة والبحث كأي حيوان آخر، لكنه يشتهر بظهوره في أمكنة غير متوقَّعة، أو بوجوده حيث لا يجب أن يكون، وبتغييره للسلوك والعلامات التي تُميِّزه للتكيف مع المواقف المختلفة واستغلالها، وعلى الرغم من شيوع وجوده في جميع أنحاء الأرض، ما زال ما نعرفه عن الثعلب بعيدًا عن اليقين العلمي، وما محاولات علماء الطبيعة المتكررة لكبْح جِماح هذا الحيوان وفَهْمه إلا دَلالة على هَوَسهم وميلهم لمحاولة تعريف ماهية الطبيعة نفسها، التي تُشابِه الثعلب في غموضها وقُدرتها على التملص، وفي جوهر محاولتنا لفَهْم الطرق التي استخدمها علماء الطبيعة لتعريف الثعلب وتصنيفه قد نرى المبادئ الرئيسة التي تَمَّ تعريف الطبيعة على أساسها..."؛ (ص: 9).
رابط الموضوع: http://www.alukah.net/Culture/0/65876...
الثعلب التاريخ الطبيعي والثقافي
محمود ثروت أبو الفضل
• اسم الكتاب: الثعلب: التاريخ الطبيعي والثقافي.
• العنوان بالإنجليزية: Fox by Martin Wallen.
• المؤلف: مارتن والن.
• ترجمة: ريم الذوادي.
• مراجعة: أسامة المنزلجي.
• سنة النشر: 1431هـ /2010م.
• دار النشر: هيئة أبو ظبي للثقافة والتراث (مشروع كلمة).
ا• لطبعة: الأولى.
• صفحات الكتاب: 204.
في كتابه: "التاريخ الطبيعي، بعموميته وحيثيَّاته"- Natural History, General and Particular يَصِف الكونت "جورج لويس بوفون" الثعلبَ، فيقول:
"يشتهر الثعلب بذكائه، وهو يَستَحِق هذه السُّمعة التي اكتسبها، وما يقوم به الذئب مستخدِمًا القوة البحتةَ، يقوم به الثعلب بحذاقة، ليُحقِّق في كثير من الأحيان نجاحًا أكبر من الذئب، وهو يَعتمِد على الذكاء أكثر من الحركة، ويَحتفِظ بموارده كلها داخل نفسه؛ ولأنه حاد الذهن ومتأنٍّ، وذكي وحكيم، يقوم الثعلب بتنويع سلوكه، محتفظًا دائمًا ببعض الحيل للظروف الطارئة".
صدر عن "المجمع الثقافي - كلمة" لهيئة أبو ظبي للثقافة والتراث، الطبعة الأولى من كتاب "الثعلب" للكاتب "مارتن والن": وهذا الكتاب أحد أجزاء "سلسلة الحيوانات - Animal Series"؛ وتبحث تلك السلسلة العلميَّة في التاريخ الطبيعي للحيوان - موضع الدراسة - حيث تُبرِز أنواعَ سلالاته المختلفة، وأماكن وجوده وتكاثُره، ودورة حياته الطبيعية، وصفاته البيئية الحياتية، كما تهتم تلك السلسلة أيضًا بالتاريخ الثقافي للحيوان؛ حيث تُلقي الضوءَ على أهم المعتقدات والأساطير والخرافات، التي مثَّلَ فيها الحيوان عنصرًا رئيسًا في تكوينها وانتشارها، وأيضًا يُبرِز التاريخ الثقافي تداخُلَ الحيوان في النِّتاج الأدبي والفني لأشهر الأدباء والفنانين والشعراء... وغيرهم.
يَستعرِض "مارتن والن" في فصول كتابه كيف ارتبط الثعلب تاريخيًّا بصفات الحُنْكة والذكاء مع كثير من الخِداع والمكر؛ والذي صبَغ "الطابَع العام" للثعلب بمدلول "الشر" في التراث الثقافي لكثير من الشعوب، التي شكَّلَ الثعلبُ عنصرًا مؤثِّرًا في أساطيرها وحكاياتها "الفلكلورية" الشعبية، ويبحث هذا الكتاب في طبيعة الثعلب الخاصة، والتي جعلته مخلوقًا بغيضًا لكثير من المخلوقات الأخرى، وعلى رأسها الإنسان؛ حيث يرى الكاتب أن كلَّ هذه التسميات والتصنيفات الذامَّة للثعلب تعود "إلى مَيل الثعلب للإخلال بالنظام السائد، ورفْضه الانصياع إلى تعريفنا المنهجي للطبيعة، وتعود أيضًا إلى تقليد قديم ينظر إلى الثعلب ككائن خبيث وشرير.
قد يبدو الثعلب سهلَ الدراسة والبحث كأي حيوان آخر، لكنه يشتهر بظهوره في أمكنة غير متوقَّعة، أو بوجوده حيث لا يجب أن يكون، وبتغييره للسلوك والعلامات التي تُميِّزه للتكيف مع المواقف المختلفة واستغلالها، وعلى الرغم من شيوع وجوده في جميع أنحاء الأرض، ما زال ما نعرفه عن الثعلب بعيدًا عن اليقين العلمي، وما محاولات علماء الطبيعة المتكررة لكبْح جِماح هذا الحيوان وفَهْمه إلا دَلالة على هَوَسهم وميلهم لمحاولة تعريف ماهية الطبيعة نفسها، التي تُشابِه الثعلب في غموضها وقُدرتها على التملص، وفي جوهر محاولتنا لفَهْم الطرق التي استخدمها علماء الطبيعة لتعريف الثعلب وتصنيفه قد نرى المبادئ الرئيسة التي تَمَّ تعريف الطبيعة على أساسها..."؛ (ص: 9).
رابط الموضوع: http://www.alukah.net/Culture/0/65876...
June 17, 2016
This is part of a large series of minimalist-titled books ("Bear", "Bee", "Lobster", etc.) by Reaktion Books about specific animals.
I was disappointed by it. There's some information about foxes and their natural history in the introductory chapter, and in a couple appendices. Most of the book, though, explores subjects like: foxes in legends and mythology; the symbolism of foxes; all the various things that have been named after foxes; foxes in art and cinema; the history of British fox hunting and fox fur farms. In other words, this isn't a book about foxes; it's about how humans perceive, mythologize, and interact with foxes. Perhaps the fact that the author is a Professor of English, not a zoologist, should have been a clue.
There are some interesting details in the text; most of it, however, I found very dull. If you've more of an interest in semiotics than zoology, though, this book might be for you.
I was disappointed by it. There's some information about foxes and their natural history in the introductory chapter, and in a couple appendices. Most of the book, though, explores subjects like: foxes in legends and mythology; the symbolism of foxes; all the various things that have been named after foxes; foxes in art and cinema; the history of British fox hunting and fox fur farms. In other words, this isn't a book about foxes; it's about how humans perceive, mythologize, and interact with foxes. Perhaps the fact that the author is a Professor of English, not a zoologist, should have been a clue.
There are some interesting details in the text; most of it, however, I found very dull. If you've more of an interest in semiotics than zoology, though, this book might be for you.
January 6, 2021
الثعلب.. رمز الدهاء والحيلة🦊🧡
بعد جولة ممتعة في هذا الكتاب.. يزداد حُبي للثعلب، فأجدُ فيه عظمة الخالقِ في خلق حيوانٍ فريد، فيه من الجمال فرواً ومن المهاراتِ ذكاءاً وخفَّة لتكون هي أداته للنجاة.
حُوربَ الثعلب في الأرياف لأنَّه "سارق الدواجن"، وتم توارث "صيد الثعالب" إلى أن أصبحَت رحلة صيدهِ من أهم رحلات الملوك والنبلاء الترفيهية، وتمت الكثير من المجازر للقضاء على هذا الحيوان "الخبيث والمتطفل"، ثم مع توالي الزمن يتحول فروهُ موضة رائجة وملبس للأناقة؛ ليتم سلخ الثعالب سلخاً مؤلماً، وبعد هذا كله يستعمل المرء اليوم اسم الثعلب كنايةً عن أشخاص دنيئين وخبثاً.
مسكينٌ الثعلب فهو في رحلة شقاء مستمرة، وسمعةٌ في الحضيض ملاصقة لاسمهِ.
وختاماً أعجبني اقتباسٌ لباحث الكتاب (مارتن والن) يقول:
" نحنُ البشر ، لطالما شعرنا بالتوتر حيال رؤيتنا لجزءٍ كبيرٍ من أنفسنا في الثعالب ، و لجزءٍ كبيرٍ منها في أنفسنا ، و لهذا . حاولنا وما زلنا نحاول تأكيد إنسانيتنا بإبادة وقمع ونسيان ثعلبيتنا"
بعد جولة ممتعة في هذا الكتاب.. يزداد حُبي للثعلب، فأجدُ فيه عظمة الخالقِ في خلق حيوانٍ فريد، فيه من الجمال فرواً ومن المهاراتِ ذكاءاً وخفَّة لتكون هي أداته للنجاة.
حُوربَ الثعلب في الأرياف لأنَّه "سارق الدواجن"، وتم توارث "صيد الثعالب" إلى أن أصبحَت رحلة صيدهِ من أهم رحلات الملوك والنبلاء الترفيهية، وتمت الكثير من المجازر للقضاء على هذا الحيوان "الخبيث والمتطفل"، ثم مع توالي الزمن يتحول فروهُ موضة رائجة وملبس للأناقة؛ ليتم سلخ الثعالب سلخاً مؤلماً، وبعد هذا كله يستعمل المرء اليوم اسم الثعلب كنايةً عن أشخاص دنيئين وخبثاً.
مسكينٌ الثعلب فهو في رحلة شقاء مستمرة، وسمعةٌ في الحضيض ملاصقة لاسمهِ.
وختاماً أعجبني اقتباسٌ لباحث الكتاب (مارتن والن) يقول:
" نحنُ البشر ، لطالما شعرنا بالتوتر حيال رؤيتنا لجزءٍ كبيرٍ من أنفسنا في الثعالب ، و لجزءٍ كبيرٍ منها في أنفسنا ، و لهذا . حاولنا وما زلنا نحاول تأكيد إنسانيتنا بإبادة وقمع ونسيان ثعلبيتنا"
April 30, 2012
(... نحن البشر، لطالما شعرنا بالتوتر حيال رؤيتنا لجزء كبير من أنفسنا في الثعالب، ولجزء كبير منها في أنفسنا، ولهذا، حاولنا ومازلنا نحاول تأكيد إنسانيتنا بإبادة وقمع ونسيان ثعلبيتنا)
يرصد هذا الكتاب، على مدى ستة فصول، العلاقة التاريخية المتشابكة بين الثعلب والإنسان
من التاريخ الطبيعي للثعلب وارتباطه بالتجمعات البشرية، إلى حضور الثعلب في وعي الإنسان وأساطيره وتراثه، إلى المجازات والإستعارات اللغوية التي فرضها الثعلب على العديد من اللغات، إلى طقوس صيد الثعالب والدور التي لعبته فراؤها في التجارة، وانتهاء بحضور الثعلب القوي في السينما في القرنين العشرين والواحد والعشرين
هذا الكتاب متعة خالصة، وهو نموذج لكتب هذه السلسلة الرائعة، ومؤلفه واسع الإطلاع، عميق الثقافة، دقيق الملاحظة ويعطي الفكرة حقها بدون تطويل ممل ولا اختصار مخل
يرصد هذا الكتاب، على مدى ستة فصول، العلاقة التاريخية المتشابكة بين الثعلب والإنسان
من التاريخ الطبيعي للثعلب وارتباطه بالتجمعات البشرية، إلى حضور الثعلب في وعي الإنسان وأساطيره وتراثه، إلى المجازات والإستعارات اللغوية التي فرضها الثعلب على العديد من اللغات، إلى طقوس صيد الثعالب والدور التي لعبته فراؤها في التجارة، وانتهاء بحضور الثعلب القوي في السينما في القرنين العشرين والواحد والعشرين
هذا الكتاب متعة خالصة، وهو نموذج لكتب هذه السلسلة الرائعة، ومؤلفه واسع الإطلاع، عميق الثقافة، دقيق الملاحظة ويعطي الفكرة حقها بدون تطويل ممل ولا اختصار مخل
October 15, 2008
not so much an exploration of the many miracles foxes can perform as of the myths that have been built around them throughout history. what larks!
July 8, 2011
Another of Reaktion's Animal series, so the usual applies. Brief, but well-written and nicely illustrated.
July 16, 2019
Illuminating insights into foxes and why humans regard them as they do. A much more cultural assessment than a biological one, but concisely discussed and an attractive book in the hand.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews