Animals in the Military: From Hannibal's Elephants to the Dolphins of the U.S. Navy (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781598843460)

This book pays tribute to the unrecognized warriors and unsung heroes of human warfare: millions of animals from a surprising variety of species, ranging from rodents to dolphins to llamas.

When one thinks of war, armies of soldiers and assaults with bullets and bombs delivered by deadly machinery typically come to mind. Throughout human history, however, animals have also played significant roles in our armed conflicts. In Animals in the Military: From Hannibal's Elephants to the Dolphins of the U.S. Navy, author John M. Kistler examines these contributions, describing the work of animals in human warfare throughout time, from lowly insects to birds to elephants.

Drawing on both ancient and modern sources, the book reveals the full scope of heroics and horror committed by--and against--animal warriors in three unique areas: animals in combat, animals in support, and animals in incidental and experimental roles. Each chapter describes a single species, chronologically recounting its fascinating place in human warfare over time, from insects used as stinging projectiles to message-delivering pigeons.

Author: John Kistler
ISBN-10: 159884346X
ISBN-13: 9781598843460
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Language: English
Published: 06/16/2011
Pages: 416
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.75lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.30w x 1.40d

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 12/01/2011 pg. 41
Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2011 pg. 299