Biography & True Stories

The Longest Story

How Humans Have Loved, Hated and Misunderstood Other Species

by Richard Girling

Description

The history of humanity’s relationship with other species is baffling.

Without animals there would be no us. We are all fellow travellers on the same evolutionary journey. By charting the love–hate story of people and animals, from their first acquaintance in deep prehistory to the present and beyond, Richard Girling reveals how and where our attitudes towards animals began – and how they have persisted, been warped and become magnified ever since.

In dazzling prose, The Longest Story tells of the cumulative influence of theologians, writers, artists, warriors, philosophers, farmers, activists and scientists across the centuries, now locking us into debates on farming, extinction, animal rights, pets, experiments and religion.

First published by Oneworld Publications in July, 2021

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German rights sold

Reviews




‘Informed and persuasive… By the end, you wonder why the animals have put up with us.’
Julian Glover, Evening Standard


‘Thought-provoking.’
Mark Mason, Daily Mail



The Longest Story is a compelling and thought-inspiring search inside our moral selves. Through masterful introspection, Girling delves into our relationships, fascinations and follies with animals. He tracks the origins of attitudes, unpacks contradictions and asks whether our interactions with other species holds the key to our own survival. In an age of extinction, this is essential reading.’-

Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming and author of Farmageddon: The true cost of cheap meat‘A brilliant book. Absorbing and – yes – shaming.’
Stanley Johnson, Ambassador, Compassion in World Farming; Winner of RSPCA Richard Martin Award


The Longest Story blends natural history, philosophy, and narrative artistry to explore the connections between humans and animals, from prehistory to the present and the future. Written in descriptive, almost lyrical prose… The Longest Story is brimming cover to cover with fascinating facts.’
Midwest Book Review


‘Girling brings immediacy to his engaging commentary, whether he’s exploring ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, or the twenty-first century… This thoughtful offering is a plea for readers to respect life in all forms.’
Booklist


‘Richard Girling’s The Longest Story is a social science examination of the relationships between humans and animals – a topic that’s seldom considered, but is close at hand and environmentally relevant… mythic in scope and style… it works toward a stunning conclusion about where humans should look for wisdom.’
Foreword Reviews




Author Biography

For his work as an environmental journalist at the Sunday Times, Richard Girling was named Specialist Writer of the Year in the UK Press Awards in 2002, and shortlisted for the same award in 2005 and 2006. He was Journalist of the Year at the Press Gazette Environmental Press Awards in 2008 and 2009.

Jonathan Pegg Literary Agency

Jonathan Pegg Literary Agency

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Bibliographic Information

  • Publisher Oneworld Publshing
  • Orginal LanguageEnglish
  • Publication Country or regionUnited Kingdom
  • Publish StatusPublished

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