Elephant
Published on 1. October 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-86189-397-0 (ISBN)
Description
The image of the elephant can be found throughout world religions and cultures as a symbol of intelligence, strength and loyalty. In this book Daniel Wylie draws on a rich array of cultural examples to document that symbolic power, ranging from religious iconography for the Hindu god of wisdom, Ganesh, to beloved children's works such as Dumbo, Babar the Elephant and Horton Hears a Who!. Elephant also considers the recurrent role of the animal in myths, paintings and sculptures.
The book also describes the elephant's three remaining species, and the controversial international efforts for elephant conservation. With ivory poaching and human encroachment into the animal's natural habitats, Wylie argues that we face a uniquely poignant conservation crisis.
The book also describes the elephant's three remaining species, and the controversial international efforts for elephant conservation. With ivory poaching and human encroachment into the animal's natural habitats, Wylie argues that we face a uniquely poignant conservation crisis.
Reviews / Votes
Readers of Elephant may be surprised at the huge amount of fascinating history, biology, and generally little-known information that can be packed into such a small book. But this is not unusual for the Reaktion series of monographs on animals, many of which, including this one, are surely destined to become classics. Elephant excels in presenting a masterly combination of historical and literary knowledge about elephants with up-to-date facts and figures on the efforts of conservationists to prevent the decline and probable extinction of the living species in Africa and Asia. * Anthrozooes * Broken up into clear sections on taxonomy, physiology, representation of elephants, human use of elephants and conservation and illustrated throughout with 99 different plates, the book give a great overview for someone wanting to learn more about the worlds largest land mammal and how their history has been intertwined with our own. * Captive Animal Protection Society *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
99 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 190 mm
Width: 135 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-86189-397-0 (9781861893970)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Dan Wylie is Associate Professor of English at Rhodes University in South Africa. He is the author of several books, including Myth of Iron: Shaka in History (2006), Toxic Belonging?: Identity and Ecology in Southern Africa (2008) and Elephant (Reaktion, 2008).