Donkey

Animal Series

by Jill Bough

Though donkeys have historically been among our most useful domesticated animals—from plowing fields to navigating difficult terrain—they have been much maligned in popular culture and given very little respect. So much so, that their perceived qualities of stupidity and stubbornness have made their way into the language of insult. But in Donkey , Jill Bough champions this humble creature, proving that after 10,000 years of domestication, this incredibly hard-working animal deserves our appreciation. Bough reveals the animal’s historic significance in Ancient Egypt, where it was once highly regarded—even worshipped. However, this elevated status did not endure in Ancient Greece and Rome, where donkeys were denigrated, ridiculed, and abused. Since that time, donkeys have continued to be associated with the poorest and most marginalized in human societies. All that time and all over the world, donkeys continue to be used for innumerable tasks, and even today, donkeys are considered to be one of the best draught animals in developing nations, where they continue to make a vital contribution. Bough rounds out her account with a look at the variety of social, cultural, and religious meanings that donkeys have embodied, especially in literature and art. With accounts that are both fascinating and touching, this cultural history of the donkey will inspire a new respect and admiration for this essential creature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, History

198 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2011

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how many of these books that I've read at this point, but it's been awhile. In a way, they're all the same. Like the others, it's a compact intro to all thinks donkey (and mule). Extensively illustrated, which is normal for this series. There's a very interesting chapter about the use of donkeys and mules in war, which I didn't realize has continued into the 21st century in Afghanistan. You have to really like donkeys (and mules!) to get into it. And I love donkeys, so it worked for me.

[Edwina Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a side-effect of the Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, I developed the worst case of writer's block, and my reading patterns changed. Reading fiction didn't interest me, but reading non-fiction did.

This was the first book I turned to for a bit of comfort in a turbulent world. I've been a donkey enthusiast for a couple of decades now, a spin-off from a life-long love of horses.

Donkey - part of the Animal series edited by Jonathan Burt, Reaktion Books, UK, is a very comprehensive work of only 5 chapters, dealing with the origins, domestication and characteristics of the breed; donkeys in Human history, mythology and religion; the use of donkeys and mules in the colonization of the Americas, Australia and South Africa; donkeys and mules at war and donkeys in literature, film and art.

Numerous colour and black and white images are sprinkled amongst the text, enhancing the reading enjoyment. The text is straightforward, informative and enjoyable to read, yeilding facts and tidbits of trivia (did you know Dapple was the name of Sancho Panza's donkey?) and information. I think this book succeeds in its efforts to be all-encompassing ie the use of donkeys and mules as transport animals in Ancient Egypt, Greece and along the Silk Road through to traditional donkey rides on British beaches, the use of donkeys and mules during both World Wars and how they're still used as packing and harness animals in many countries in the modern day.

My only minor criticisms of this book is that the wide outter margins seemed a waste of space, and I often wished some of the images were larger. Otherwise, it is a very useful reference tool for anyone interested in donkeys that I heartily endorse.

[El Rato Pequeño · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fifth Reaktion book, and this one manages to edge out even the Dolphin one in my list. A treasure trove of trivia on perhaps the most underrated livestock animal of all, and just as well goes in quite deep into the cultural history of its eccentric mongrel counterpart, the mule. Like most of the series that I'm familiar with, it's has a bit too of an anglocentric focus, which in this case results in it merely rushing over the surely rich Latin American donkey culture within two pages, but the rest of the book is satisfyingly loaded with information.

"[Robert] Bresson has said that he thinks the donkey ‘the most important, the most sensitive, the most intelligent, the most thoughtful, the most suffering of animals’."

And after reading about all of the shit they had to go through, you'll probably be compelled to agree with Bresson as well. Remember the humble, stoic donkey, upon whose back the western civilization was built maybe more than anybody else's.

[Juan V. Ruiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A limited historical view on the donkey. The author made a vast research, but its limitation on the anglophone world results in a very partial history on the human-donkey symbiosis. There is so much Australia, England, a little bit of the USA... Latin America, very little, Central Asia, sometimes, China, nothing.

And, to make matters worse, the entire text is poorly organized, the topics discussed come and go in undefined ways, thus making reading a difficult task.

[Emanuela Zonca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo viaggio nell’universo degli asini e dei muli: la storia della loro diffusione, del loro impiego; le rappresentazioni letterarie ed artistiche.