Stories Rabbits Tell takes a comprehensive look at the rabbit as a wild animal, ancient symbol, pop culture icon, commercial "product," and domesticated pet. In so doing, the book explores how one species can be simultaneously adored as a symbol of childhood (think Peter Rabbit), revered as a symbol of female sexuality (e.g., Playboy Bunnies), dismissed as a "dumb bunny" in domesticity, and loathed as a pest in the wild. The authors counter these stereotypes with engaging analyses of real rabbit behavior, drawn both from the authors' own experience and from academic studies, and place those behaviors in the context of current debates about animal consciousness. In a detailed investigative section, the authors also describe conditions in the rabbit meat, fur, pet and vivisection industries, and raise important questions about the ethics of treating rabbits as we do.

The first book of its kind, Stories Rabbits Tell provides invaluable information and insight into the life and history of an animal whom many love, but whom most of us barely know. As such, it is a key addition to the current thinking on animal emotions, intelligences, and welfare, and the way that human perceptions influence the treatment of individual species.

- Rabbits are quite a diverse lot. Some are devious, some are gregarious, some are industrious, some are shy, some are flirtatious, some are regular "snuggle bunnies." Some rabbits are like General Patton, born to be leaders. Others are content to be part of the rank and file. Still others are like branch managers, overseeing a small department (which may include non-rabbits).

- Life as a rabbit raised for meat is desolate. In large breeding operations, virtually every aspect of the rabbits' personalities are suppressed. Every fundamental activity other than eating, drinking, and sleeping is denied. No exercise, bonding with others, playing, or exploring. The rabbits are treated as, and perhaps eventually become, soulless commodities.

- Many of the product tests performed on laboratory rabbits are alarmingly innacurate, have never been validated, and are not required by law.

- There are a multitude of portrayals of rabbits in popular culture, almost all of them wrong.

- Being in a room with twenty-two rabbits and a plate of banana muffins will brighten your day, and is probably as good an introduction to rabbits as any.

As the authors point out, rabbits occupy several seemingly contraditory niches in human society: an object of affection for children, a favorite target of hunters, a laboratory subject, a sex symbol, and a family pet. For the most part, our treatment of rabbits is nothing to be proud of. Humans have inflicted every imaginable type of cruelty on these creatures, sometimes with gratuitous malice and viciousness.

But that is slowly changing. Consumers have made it clear that they prefer animal-friendly products. A growing number of enlightened scientists are working strenuously to replace crude animal experiments with non-animal alternatives (which tend to be more reliable and cheaper). Animal shelters are increasingly taking in abandoned rabbits and providing them with enriched, spacious habitats. The House Rabbit Society and rabbit rescue leagues across the country are introducing people to the joys of having a rabbit as a live-in companion.

"Stories Rabbits Tell" is two-thirds disturbing and one-third encouraging if not enrapturing. That's probably about the right balance if one is going to thoroughly chronicle our relationship with rabbits, as the authors have masterfully done. They convey the beauty and mystery of rabbits, but don't shy away away from exposing the various horrors experienced by rabbits at the hands of humans.

Rabbits may be the most underrated non-obscure animal in the world. Viewed optimistically, this means that rabbits have the potential to become much more highly regarded and better treated. "Stories Rabbits Tell" will help change the public's perception of rabbits: from expendable pests or "dumb" livestock to complex, often very engaging individuals worthy of our respect and kindness. Then we will have new stories to tell.


Educational and an Expose   January 6, 2004
 29 out of 34 found this review helpful

As a rabbit lover, and a person who hopes to be a vet someday, I loved this book. Every part of it was interesting, though some was disturbing. The authors take an intimate look at rabbits. They offer much information that is difficult to find elsewhere.

I found the biological information on rabbits to be very interesting, especially regarding their evolution. The authors make mention of a few very rare and endangered species of rabbits.

They offer many stories of house rabbits. Stories that may shock those people who don't know the joys and complexities of living with a house rabbit.

I also enjoyed reading about the rabbit as a symbol in our culture, both loved and hated, often misunderstood. I have often said to my rabbits, "Silly Rabbit", without thinking about where this phrase came from and what it indicates about our culture's idea of rabbits.

The chapters on the rabbit meat, fur, and pet industry, as well as the use of rabbits in laboratories, were informative and inspiring, though disheartening. It is shocking to realize how we view these creatures in so many different ways, but important to realize that reform and regulation are needed. The authors present the information realistically without trying to sugar coat the truth or shock their readers.

An educational, informative, and important read for all those who love rabbits or wish to learn more about them. After reading this book, you will never utter the phrase "just a rabbit" again, if it hasn't left your vocabulary already.


Great Bunny Book   October 18, 2003
 24 out of 34 found this review helpful

This is a wonderful book. I don't think there is another book out there written about rabbits that can even compare to this book.

This book talks about issues from wild rabbits and what rabbits have symbolized throughout history to rabbits for revenue. The hardest chapter to read (as a pet bunny owner) was the chapter on rabbits in the meat industry. This chapter was detailed and distrubing, but at the same time, it's something that I (as a rabbit owner/lover) would want to know.

Overall, this is a great book for any bunny owner. The book will teach you so much about the history of rabbits and how rabbits are percieved in our culture. I definately recommend it. :)


An astonishingly complete work on the rabbit   February 2, 2004
 24 out of 28 found this review helpful

This is not a book of rabbit stories, per se, but rather the story of the rabbit in its entirety, primarily as it relates to humans. This includes the rabbit as a wild creature, as beloved companion, destructive pest, commercial commodity (meat,fur,pet), cultural and contemporary icon, object of ancient beliefs, and the basis of all kinds of experiments. A more complete discussion of the place occupied by the rabbit throughout the centuries is hard to imagine. The only aspect not covered in any detail is the breeding of rabbits as show animals.

Some readers are upset with the authors' reports of the conditions that rabbits are often kept in, as though these reports reflect on everyone who keeps rabbits for anything other than companions. I find these reports quite matter of fact and unbiased. There is no implication that, because some exploitations of rabbits are inhumane, all are.

This book will give anyone who reads it an incredibly broad understanding of, as the authors put it, "a misunderstood creature." I would suggest that the rabbit is not only misunderstood, but that few people have any understamding of the rabbit at all. Some of us know the rabbit as a beloved companion animal. Some of us know them as a source of profit. Some know them as a complex system of genes to be manipulated to bring about improvements in the breeds, or to create new breeds. Some know them as an effective laboratory for studying the results of exposure to a variety of things. But few of us know the rabbit in its boadest scope. "Stories Rabbits Tell" is an effective means we can all use to broaden our understanding of this complex and fascinating creature.