{"product_id":"fifty-animals-that-changed-the-course-of-history-9781554078974","title":"Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe fascinating stories of the animals that changed civilizations. Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History is a beautifully presented guide to the animals that have had the greatest impact on human civilization. Entries are organized by scientific name  except for Homo sapiens  which is featured last. The 50 animals include the horse  dog  rat  whale  reindeer  beaver  flea  leech  dodo  falcon  oyster and shark. These creatures  great and small  have played central roles in the evolution of humankind  but they have remained at the periphery of our understanding of history. Whether it is an advancement in scientific knowledge  a trade war  disease and death  battles won and lost  or encounters with explorers in unknown lands  these animals have changed the course of history. More than 150 elegant drawings  photographs and paintings  as well as excerpts from literature  highlight the concise text. Each animal is judged by its influence in four categories: Edible -- animals that have shaped agriculture  such as the cow Medical -- animals that are \"disease vectors \" spreading bacteria and viruses  from malaria to plague Commercial -- animals used for trade or in manufacturing Practical -- animals used for transportation or clothing. The animals described in Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History are familiar  but their roles in human history are easily overlooked. This attractive reference gives us a fresh perspective on our place in the animal kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648121757749,"sku":"ByrdShop_1554078970","price":48.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781554078974.jpg?v=1781709923","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/fifty-animals-that-changed-the-course-of-history-9781554078974","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}