Rabbit

Animal Series

by Victoria Dickenson

Rabbit is the story of the winsome long-eared animal that hops through children’s stories, myths and legends, and back yards. In this richly illustrated book, Victoria Dickenson explores the natural and cultural history of this most familiar creature.From the giant extinct rabbits of Minorca to the tiny endangered Volcano rabbits of Mexico, the book explores the history of the species, with a special focus on the European rabbit, whose history has been so closely intertwined with that of its greatest predator, humanity. Celebrated for its fur and its flesh, the rabbit owes its worldwide distribution to human intervention. Captain Cook took rabbits to New Zealand to provide food for sailors and settlers. Their introduction in the late nineteenth century to Australia resulted in a disastrous plague of rabbits, which could only be brought under control by the introduction of myxomatosis.The rabbit is a paradox. It is prey, chased by a thousand enemies from eagles to foxes to domestic cats. But it is also trickster, who outwits all rivals, and escapes every trap. The rabbit is lucky, and his foot will charm away evil. It haunts the graveyard and dances in the moonlight. The rabbit is suitable as a cuddly companion for children but also as a symbol of unbridled animal passion. From Peter Rabbit to B’rer Rabbit to Watership Down and the Energizer Bunny, rabbits hop through our imagination. Discover the Jade Moon rabbit, celebrate the Year of the Rabbit and enjoy the poetry of rabbits in this fascinating study of an animal that, after the dog and cat, has been granted a privileged place in our homes and our hearts.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Animals

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider the rabbit.

Not a hare, but a rabbit. The animal we commonly view as wholly domesticated an esteem alongside cats and dogs. Consider its wide brown eyes, and the way that when chased it turns to finally face the predator. Consider the stare. Is there something there in it? Is there a consideration more human, or perhaps a consideration that simply makes us more rabbit? Like the hedgehog, the rabbit is a piece of the wilderness that we have accepted into our homes and our hearts, something that we can sit, nose to nose with, and try our very best to comprehend. The rabbit is a connection to wildness, to wilderness, and to our shared past.

Consider the rabbit.

I, myself, grew up alongside a rabbit. Nose to nose, I'd stare into his eyes and try to comprehend him. We were close-friends, and it was to him that I told my secrets, that I talked to endlessly. He'd hop on my back and flop there. He'd follow me, and I'd chase him. He'd rest on my lap while I pet him and hugged him. The rabbit is a paradox to us - both innocent and bawdy, clever and naive, cruel and caring. B'rer Rabbit and Bugs Bunny, Roger Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Peter Rabbit and the Easter Bunny. The rabbit has suffused just about every aspect of our lives and yet we rarely think about him.

I think it's time we give him a second look, and look very hard. There's more in those eyes than one might think, and so much we could learn from it.

[Melvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a brilliant and easy read. highly recommend for anyone wanting an introduction about human-rabbit relations throughout history.

[Jared Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

So packed full of facts in will make your head spin. It is a bit dark and disturbing at times. I had no idea how much rabbits have been involved in human evolution and society.