Title: Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains
Author: Bethany Brookshire
Genre: Non-Fiction
About the book...
Elephants, deer, cats, pigeons. Are they animals we love and cherish or are they pests? In Pests, Bethany Brookshire approaches the subject of animals, what a "pest" is and why we choose to view them as pests (or not), considering the history, culture, and science involved in why we feel the way we do.
What I think...
As the author herself points out, the ideas in this book aren't exactly new, but it offers a fascinating and thoughtful look at what causes a culture or a regional area to feel the way they do about various animals and the way that perception is formed and shifts over time often in a contradictory manner.
I felt this book approached the subject in a well rounded manner; looking at the perspectives of indigenous people, ideas of co-existing in ways that create a balance, and at the perceived "pests" from multiple perspectives. Throughout the book interviews from people who both view the animals as pests and those who don't are included, which I really liked as it provided a more nuanced look at things. Brookshire also did quite a bit of in-person research, such as going snake hunting and on a rat search, and shares her own often humorous experiences with wildlife.
Most of the chapters focused on a specific animal, however Brookshire brings examples of other animals to offer comparisons showing how similar methodology was applied in either trying to handle the particular animal situation and the results on both the environment and the humans involved, which I found interesting. I also learned quite a bit about the various animals she addresses (ex: elephants don't like bee noise and wolves aren't fond of flags). In particular, I really enjoyed the chapter on elephants. As someone living completely devoid of elephant problems (in this case, crop destruction and property damage, among other things), I thought it provided an excellent example of how a greater whole often thinks they know how a problem should be addressed, without really understanding the problem because they aren't directly involved.
To sum it all up...
An interesting look at human attempts to eradicate, control, and co-exist with various animals referred to as pests and a good read for anyone interested in nature.
