In Beyond Animal Rights: A Feminist Caring Ethic for the Treatment of Animals, editors Josephine Donovan and Carol J. Adams bring together seven articles on ecofeminism, an ethic of care, and animal liberation from a variety of perspectives. As a whole, the collection seeks to apply a feminist ethic to the philosophies of well-known figures such as Tom Regan and Peter Singer. Working through a feminist lens, the anthology attempts to propose an appropriate mode of behavior through exploration of contextual relationships between humans and non-human animals. Animal liberation is discussed in reference to the current dominating theories and to a new proposed ethic of care.
Feminist critiques of philosophers such as Regan and Singer suggest that although these men condemn Cartesian scientific practices for their lack of consideration of the worth of moral beings, they in fact use these Cartesian objectivist modes of reasoning to suppress emotional knowledge with hierarchical systems of natural rights or utilitarianism, respectively (p 45). The persistence of these mainstream philosophers in denying their appeal to emotion when analyzing the case for animal rights shows their biased masculinist perspective that does not take into account the very real epistemology of emotion and sympathy. It is this sympathy, feminists like Josephine Donovan claim, that ultimately has driven vegetarians and animal rights activists to their defining behaviors. Since one does not oppose cruelty to animals on logistical claims of fairness (as in, 'I oppose the systematic slaughtering of animals because such treatment of humans is not tolerated!'), but out of very real emotional sympathy for the animals, an ethic of care must be accepted in the animal rights movement and not dismissed as weak or irrational. Both Regan and Singer argue in favor of a justice approach, claiming that a caring ethic is not enough to sustain the animal liberation movement. Feminists declare that these claims are based on the philosophers' low estimations of the human capacity to sympathize. However, author Brian Luke proves these estimates inaccurate by revealing the extensive mechanisms employed to undermine sympathetic opposition to animal exploitation such as rationales of divine permission, 'cover stories' like human need of animal medical research and food, denying the harms caused to the animals and shielding the public from them, etc. (p 81). These attempts at guiding the public away from sympathy for animals show how powerful emotion is in dictating one's actions. An ethic based on sympathy is determined by Josephine Donovan to be appropriate and useful as it is a 'complex intellectual as well as emotional exercise' that pushes one toward animal liberation out of compassion for the animal and its well-being in exploitative circumstances (p 149).
Feminist ethics redefine rights and cross-species identity to be relational, contextual, and mutually accommodating, affording non-human animals rights to themselves, regardless of how identical to (or different from) humans they are (p 63). An ethic of care essentially tries to undermine the private/public dichotomy that keeps appeals to emotion in general and sympathy for animals in particular from their rightful place in the animal liberation movement, while creating contexts where care can thrive as non-exploitative. This contextualist ethic of care does not require (as popular animal liberation theory does) that one consider all interests as though no relationship existed between any of the parties, nor does it view animal rights as a contest between competitors for moral standing based on applied rules. This ethic also refrains from popular debate about the abstract 'right to life'. Instead, an ecofeminist caring ethic recognizes the role that our relationships with others play in our understanding of a situation and creates a central place for values of friendship and trust (p 61). Ecofeminist Rita C. Manning introduces an 'ethic of magic', in which the earth is recognized as a sacred living body of connected parts, all of which are deserving of respect and care. Humans should care about the natural world and all of its animal constituents because of the similarities in humans and non-humans, because of the role that animal care plays in the building of our character, and because some animals are genuinely entitled to care because they are as valuable as humans (p 103).
The issue of diet is looked at from a feminist perspective to reveal that our use of animals as food is not a gender-neutral issue. Language places positive slants on the consumption of animal flesh ('a meaty question'), while associating women and passivity with both vegetarians and vegetables ('watching TV will turn you into a vegetable'). In addition, the dairy and egg industries exploit the reproductive capacities of the female. An ecofeminist caring ethic calls for an end to the violent consumption of animals as food. Ecofeminist thought reveals the connection between the body and the self, claiming that our bodily selves develop a framework for violence when we inflict violence needlessly (when eating meat) (p 72).
Carol J. Adams addresses assumptions about women in a care-giving role in Western patriarchal culture in regards to an ethic for the treatment of non-human animals. She claims the autonomous rational being to be an illusion, revealing that men are as much or more so relational than women as they rely so heavily upon their relationships with women. The fact that they depend on the invisibility of women's caring activities is what allows men an illusionary façade of the autonomous rational individual (p 172). This shows that the patriarchal culture that we live in has created (in addition to the systems of animal exploitation in place today), contemporary animal rights philosophy that reflect patriarchal values. A feminist approach to looking at both animal exploitation and animal liberation emphasizes the value of caring and nurturing in the relationship between humans and non-human animals, rather than an objective, non-relational, 'rational' look at the exploitation of animals, and determining it morally unacceptable.

Finally, a complete, comphrensive FIELD guide to the birds of India! Gone are the days of hauling 2 or 3 hardcover bird books to the subcontinent just to be able to identify relatively common species. The drawings in this book are excellent, the descriptions very detailed, and the range maps very helpful. My two criticisms are that birders familiar with the common names in Salim Ali's "The Book of Indian Birds" will be confused with the revised nomenclature in this guide (based on the Inskipp's Indian Checklist); some changes are relatively minor, while others are so dramatically different (and frankly puzzling) that cross-referencing is a chore. The second involves the seperation of many of the range maps from the plates and descriptions, sometimes by many pages. This was due to the large number of species featured on some plates- there just wasn't enough room for the maps also. A better strategy might have been to put them all in the back of the book. But the benefits of this book far outweigh the shortcomings- my next trip to India promises to be more rewarding and productive bird-wise (as well as easier on my back)due to this excellent and overdue field guide.

The Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas presents the first detailed state-wide survey results for breeding birds. Detailed species accounts are provided for more than 150 birds known to breed in Iowa. These are accompanied by maps showing the distribution of the birds. Several introductory chapters summarize information about the vegetation, geologic origins, and history of the state. Summary statistics include tables showing the most common species, the most frequently confirmed breeding species, and correlations between species groups and the different landforms. The data in this volume includes key information on both common and rare species. This book is an excellent reference for anyone interested in birds or bird atlases. The species accounts are extremely well-written and informative. I highly recommend this book.

A must read for anyone considering a major in nutrition or dietetics. It describes many careers and gives additional resources to help one find a job.

I took this book out from the library and enjoyed reading it. The directions are hard for me to translate to sewing as they are overwhelming. I am an experienced quilter but I would not use this book for rotary cut quilts or traditional piecing. I would however use it for foundation piecing. I found that the pictures of most of the blocks were a good base for foundation piecing . I like the spriral base of the binding as it does lie flat. I am considering adding this book to my library for foundation piecing but not traditional or rotary cut quilts.

Buy this book if you enjoy collecting quilt block patterns, and would like to see some fresh updates on traditional ideas. There's also an interesting section on pieced border designs. If you're comfortable about calculating yardage, and cutting & piecing quilt blocks on your own, this book is fine. But if you're a beginner, or if you prefer to have more detailed assembly instructions, then pass this one up because you won't find it here.

This book is an excellent source of information on basic quilt blocks and novelty blocks you may not have seen before. I like the borders shown and the different color options for each block. Information on making a bed-size quilt is given for each block. The book will lie flat since it has spiral binding. The only bad thing about the book is that you must trace the pattern pieces from a block picture and add seam allowances -- no actual pieces are charted. Overall, a good choice for any quilter's library.

I found not a single usable idea in this book. The ideas are decidedly unimaginative and the results quite ugly. A friend bought this for me at a bargain shop without looking inside--thank goodness she spent only $2 for it. Even that was a waste.

This book was a total disappointment . I expected creative adult halloween ideas--things I would want to keep year after year.There were only 2 projects I found interesting-the halloween tree trims & the silver swirl pumpkin(the cover pumpkin) However,If you are looking for very simple ideas geared towards little children---this book may be what your looking for.
The best thing I can say about this book is it only cost me 1.49.

This book contains a few good ideas, but none that I would use. Best used for decorating your house for a pre-schooler's Halloween party. More CUTE than scary. Contains nice color photos and easy directions.

I rated this as a 2 only because you couldn't rate it a one and a half. I must admit the descriptions on both the covers say alot to attract you in. Unfortunately, I have to say that this book is not well liked by myself or the other 4 people, in my company, who reviewed it. The information is clearly the most basic, at best. I found that the authors severely lack in research experience and easily could have done a better job on this book. While reading through the sections covering computer security, bodyguards, private security, etc., I discovered that the authors, who have no practical job experience in these areas, painted a false picture in their descriptions.

This again shows lack of research and creative writing experience. The publisher has put out some much better law enforcement publications. Personally, I can't understand why they accepted the transcript from the these authors. I have put this book back on the shelf, where it belongs, and use it as a reminder of where "not" to go looking for this specialty career information.

If you're interested in law enforcement, but don't have the slightest idea where to start, you might get something out of this book. If you've taken any criminal justice or law enforcement classes, however, skip this one and pick up a book that isn't so elementary. The best book ever written on federal law enforcement positions is "Guide to Careers in Federal Law Enforcement," by Thomas H. Ackerman. Your chances of getting a job in federal law enforcement will increase substantially if you have the information presented in Ackerman's book. Those who want to be municipal cops should consider "Police Officer," by Hugh O'Neil. Although O'Neil's book is quite basic, there is some good information about getting into police departments.

This book is a good explanation of how to locate different law enforcement jobs. It's easy to understand and well written. Great book.

As a young girl I excelled in math and had many problems with learning language.Also I played with trucks and guns as a child with boys and other girls as well.An "expert" has yet to explain girls who are agressive,excell in mechanics and math and play with trucks as children.I believe there is a comspiracy out there against women,the post feminist era has been wrought with books about women being passive,sexless, fearful and unable to excell in math,unable to fend for themselves and unable to find themselves through mazes. Interesting how the writer is a woman and many are probably because they want other women to have the same self doubt they have.What we need are books that inspire young women, books that nuture their natural HUMAN aggressiveness rather than view it as unnatural or unbecoming.This book is just another Mars and Venus revamped as baby Mars and Venus. Girls do not need to be boxed into a sub social group,what they need is a book that helps them with their individual strengths as INDIVIDUALS!

THIS IS AN EASY TO READ BOOK THAT GIVES A VERY DOWN TO EARTH PERSPECTIVE ON ALL THE ISSUES THAT SEEM TO BE GENDER SPECIFIC. THE BOOK DOES NOT ADVOCATE ANY SPECIFIC CHILDHOOD THEORIES BUT GIVES A VERY BALANCED REVIEW. LIKE A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH EXPERIENCED PARENTS AND PEDIATRICIANS.

This book is mostly a picture book (and the pictures aren't that great) with little information. Having spent time in all of these towns, the pictures do not do justice. Also, the author concentrates on towns that are full of tour buses and very unpleasant - especially during season. There are so many more hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany that are more out of the way and charming. I guess I should be greatful that they weren't disclosed so that they stay less touristy!

OK, my grandfather, Richard Kauffman (now deceased), spent 12 years photographing the eternal beauty of the hill towns of italy and all of the photographs in this book, now in its second reprint, were lovingly color-separated personally by him in his garage. He wouldn't even trust another printer with the quality of his images, being a printer by trade himself. Family bias aside, having since travelled to the towns, he captures Sienna as if you were there. Enjoy it as we do...