Exploring an ancient whaling station in the Arctic circle, two Dutch brothers risk their lives in an attempt to stop the crew members of a whaling boat from harpooning a Greenland whale

Arctic Adventure (English and Dutch Edition)

Dekkers, Midas

Children's Books

Orchard Books

Exploring an ancient whaling station in the Arctic circle, two Dutch brothers risk their lives in an attempt to stop the crew members of a whaling boat from harpooning a Greenland whale

‘People love animals—a stroke here, a pat there, a quick nuzzle in that gorgeous fur ... the amount of cuddling they get can make you jealous. In Holland, dogs are caressed more than people. Not as thoroughly, though: that one spot, somewhere down below, generally remains untouched ... ’ Generally, but certainly not always. Kinsey’s research showed that 8 per cent of men and 3.5 per cent of women had had sex with an animal, and that in rural areas the figure for men was closer to 50 per cent. Yet bestiality is almost universally condemned. While our love for animals is extolled as noble and ‘natural’, all erotic elements in the relationship between humans and other species are vilified and proscribed, thus consigning them to the realm of exotic pornography or crude innuendo. Even so, something remains of physical love for animals. In different forms, sublimated or occasionally celebrated, its traces can be found throughout art and popular culture: in Leda and the Swan, Beauty and the Beast or the Lorelei; in a lubricious menagerie of satyrs and centaurs, wolfmen and vampires, all the way through to King Kong and Fritz the Cat, pony clubs and amorous dolphins, or even advertisements for luxury catfoods. Dearest Pet uncovers and explores those traces, illuminating the ambivalence of human attitudes to cross-species sexuality. Its author, the biologist and broadcaster Midas Dekkers, has analysed bestiality in all its aspects—physical, psychological and legal—and examined its representations in religion and mythology, art and literature, pornography and advertising. Beautifully—and sometimes bizarrely—illustrated, his book is neither drily academic nor pruriently trivial, but erudite, witty and challenging: the first history of the last taboo. A book for animal lovers, and for those who are just their good friends.

Dearest Pet: On Bestiality

Self-Help

Verso

“People love animals—a stroke here, a pat there, a quick nuzzle in that gorgeous fur … the amount of cuddling they get can make you jealous. In Holland, dogs are caressed more than people. Not as thoroughly, though: that one spot, somewhere down below, generally remains untouched …” Generally, but certainly not always. Kinsey’s research showed that 8 per cent of men and 3.5 per cent of women had had sex with an animal, and that in rural areas the figure for men was closer to 50 per cent. Yet bestiality is almost universally condemned. While our love for animals is extolled as noble and “natural,” all erotic elements in the relationship between humans and other species are vilified and proscribed, thus consigning them to the realm of exotic pornography or crude innuendo.Even so, something remains of physical love for animals. In different forms, sublimated or occasionally celebrated, its traces can be found throughout art and popular culture: in Leda and the Swan, Beauty and the Beast or the Lorelei; in a lubricious menagerie of satyrs and centaurs, wolfmen and vampires, all the way through to King Kong and Fritz the Cat, pony clubs and amorous dolphins, or even advertisements for luxury catfoods.Dearest Pet uncovers and explores those traces, illuminating the ambivalence of human attitudes to cross-species sexuality. Its author, the biologist and broadcaster Midas Dekkers, has analysed bestiality in all its aspects—physical, psychological and legal—and examined its representations in religion and mythology, art and literature, pornography and advertising. Beautifully—and sometimes bizarrely—illustrated, his book is neither drily academic nor pruriently trivial, but erudite, witty and challenging: the first history of the last taboo. A book for animal lovers, and for those who are just their good friends.

"A masterful writing style that is not only unique in biology but without equal in the whole of Dutch literature. The Story of Shit shows Dekkers once again to be in possession of a golden pen." ―New Scientist
A witty, fascinating look at something we generally prefer not to look too closely at.
We are very discreet. We disappear into a private room, perform the task, flush, wash, and reappear as if nothing happened. Of course, hygiene is necessary―some faecal bacteria, if re-ingested, can cause very serious problems―and unpleasant aromas are best kept at bay.
But in all this hygienic discretion have we lost touch with an integral part of ourselves-something as much a part of living as breathing, eating and sleeping? Something enriching, creative and even enjoyable?
The Story of Shit presents a personal, cultural, scientific, historical, and environmental account of shit, from the digestive process and the fascinating workings of the gut, to the act of defecation and toilet etiquette. With irreverent humor and a compelling narrative style, Midas Dekkers brings a refreshing, entertaining and illuminating perspective to a once-taboo subject.
Midas Dekkers is a bestselling Dutch writer and biologist. His books include Physical Exercise, The Way of All Flesh, Dearest Pet and The Larva.
 Nancy Forest-Flier is a Dutch-to-English translator. She was educated in the United States and now lives in the Netherlands.

The Story of Shit

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Diets & Weight Loss

Text Publishing Company

An allem nagt der Zahn der Zeit. Vom Reiz der Vergänglichkeit.

Lichamelijke oefening

Uitgeverij Contact

Wat loopt daar?: een biologische kijk op rassen

Psychology & Counseling

Atlas-Contact

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Books by Dekkers, Midas

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Dekkers, Midas. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Arctic Adventure (English and Dutch Edition)

Arctic Adventure (English and Dutch Edition)

Dearest Pet: On Bestiality

Dearest Pet: On Bestiality

The Story of Shit

An allem nagt der Zahn der Zeit. Vom Reiz der Vergänglichkeit.

Lichamelijke oefening

Wat loopt daar?: een biologische kijk op rassen