MACMILLAN Animals and Human Society in Asia: Historical, Cultural and Ethical Perspectives (The Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series)

This edited collection offers a comprehensive overview of the different aspects of human-animal interactions in Asia throughout history. With twelve thematically-arranged chapters, this book examines the diverse roles that beasts, livestock, and fish ― real and metaphorical– have played in Asian history, society, and culture. Ranging from prehistory to the present day, the authors address a wealth of topics including the domestication of animals, dietary practices and sacrifice, hunting, the use of animals in war, and the representation of animals in literature and art. Providing a unique perspective on human interaction with the environment, the volume is cross-disciplinary in its reach, offering enriching insights to the fields of animal ethics, Asian studies, world history and more. Review “The book cites the intended audience as students and academic researchers in animal related fields. … This book is unique in its clear and concise, interdisciplinary and interregional discussion of the topics. From historians, archeologists, anthropologists, and experts in art and religion, the book offers a multifaceted approach to the information. … the information in this book is clear and engaging, thus adding to its relevance and value.” (Danielle E Strahl-Heldreth, Doody’s Book Reviews, June 12, 2020) From the Back Cover "Animal studies is a vibrant field that renews humanities by breaking many barriers. This intense and beautiful volume exemplifies such breaking and renewing, as it connects Far-eastern and Near-eastern areas and the steppe world in between, and develops an engaged dialogue between archeology, history, religion, visual studies, economics, law, and more." ―Vincent Goossaert, professor of Daoism and Chinese religions, EPHE, PSL, Paris This edited collection offers a comprehensive overview of the different aspects of human-animal interactions in Asia throughout history. With twelve thematically-arranged chapters, this book examines the diverse roles that beasts, livestock, and fish ― real and metaphorical– have played in Asian history, society, and culture. Ranging from prehistory to the present day, the authors address a wealth of topics including the domestication of animals, dietary practices and sacrifice, hunting, the use of animals in war, and the representation of animals in literature and art. Providing a unique perspective on human interaction with the environment, the volume is cross-disciplinary in its reach, offering enriching insights to the fields of animal ethics, Asian studies, world history and more. About the Author Rotem Kowner is Professor of Japanese History and the director of the liberal arts program at the University of Haifa, Israel. Guy Bar-Oz is Professor of Archaeology and founder of the Laboratory of Archaeozoology at the  Zinman Institute of Archaeology, the University of Haifa, Israel. Michal Biran is the Max and Sophie Mydans Foundation Professor in the Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and a member of the Israeli Academy of Science and Humanities. Meir Shahar is a Professor of Chinese studies at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Gideon Shelach-Lavi is the Louis Freiberg Professor of East Asian Studies and the director of the Institute of Asian and African studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.