About this book
Domesticated Animals: Their Relation to Man and to his Advancement in Civilization by Nathaniel Southgate Shaler is a classic, provocative survey of how animals have shaped human progress. Written in the late 19th century, Shaler traces the domestication of dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, birds and more, examining their economic, military, and cultural roles in the rise of civilization.
Combining natural history, early anthropology, and observations on breeding and behavior, this non-fiction study explores the practical basis for domesticability, the effects of selective breeding, and the intelligence and habits of companion and working animals. Shaler considers the horse’s influence on war and transport, the flock and herd in food and raiment production, and barnyard fowl in rural life, offering rich historical context alongside period scientific perspectives. Illustrations and detailed case studies bring animal behavior and human-animal relationships into sharp relief.
Ideal for listeners curious about domestication, agricultural history, animal behavior, or the roots of human civilization, this audiobook provides an engaging, accessible historical account that will interest students, naturalists, and anyone fascinated by how animals helped build our world.
