{"product_id":"animals-among-us-book-john-bradshaw-9780241184639","title":"The Animals Among Us","description":"'A pioneering study ... richly, empathetically and affectionately respectful of the human-animal bond' Sunday Times  Why do humans love animals? The bestselling author of In Defence of Dogs and Cat Sense gives us the answers.  Keeping pets is expensive, time-consuming, and seemingly irrational - so why do so many of us have an animal in our lives?  Modern-day  pet-keeping has been justified for many reasons, from the potential  therapeutic role pets can play, to their appealing 'cuteness'. But  pet-keeping is much more than just a simple pastime. It is part of the  broader history of humanity's relationship with animals - a relationship  that comes from deep within our nature. As John Bradshaw reveals in  this highly original new work, our connection with animals is one of the  very things that makes us human.   In The Animals Among Us,  Bradshaw takes us to the heart of Anthrozoology, a new science dedicated  to discovering the true nature and depth of the human-animal bond.  Following the thread of our affection for animals, from today's pet  lovers all the way back to our ancient ancestors, Bradshaw reveals how  animals have always been an integral part of our lives: indeed, they  have shaped the evolution of our minds and our bodies. The ways in which  we relate to animals today stem ultimately from our evolutionary  journey from hominid to Homo sapiens.  An affinity for animals  drove our evolution as humans. Now, as increasing numbers of species are  under threat, John Bradshaw shows us that pet-keeping can act as a  bridge between the domestic and the wild, even aiding conservation. If  we lose the animals among us, he warns, we risk losing an essential part  of ourselves.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49505496465681,"sku":"GOR008665986","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49650335875345,"sku":"GOR009964129","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0241184630.jpg?v=1750973928","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/animals-among-us-book-john-bradshaw-9780241184639","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}