Pests

How Humans Create Animal Villains

By: Bethany Brookshire

Narrated by: Courtney Patterson

An engrossing and revealing study of why we deem certain animals “pests” and others not—from cats to rats, elephants to pigeons—and what this tells us about our own perceptions, beliefs, and actions, as well as our place in the natural world

A squirrel in the garden. A rat in the wall. A pigeon on the street. Humans have spent so much of our history drawing a hard line between human spaces and wild places. When animals pop up where we don’t expect or want them, we respond with fear, rage, or simple annoyance. It’s no longer an animal. It’s a pest.

At the intersection of science, history, and narrative journalism, Pests is not a simple call to look closer at our urban ecosystem. It’s not a natural history of the animals we hate. Instead, this book is about us. It’s about what calling an animal a pest says about people, how we live, and what we want. It’s a story about human nature, and how we categorize the animals in our midst, including bears and coyotes, sparrows and snakes. Pet or pest? In many cases, it’s entirely a question of perspective.

Bethany Brookshire’s deeply researched and entirely entertaining book will show listeners what there is to venerate in vermin, and help them appreciate how these animals have clawed their way to success as we did everything we could to ensure their failure. In the process, we will learn how the pests that annoy us tell us far more about humanity than they do about the animals themselves.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Bethany Brookshire (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Amazing

This book was so well written! I absolutely loved it, the author cuts no corners in researching and elaborating explaining concepts. Can't give it enough praise!

The overall worldview. The knowledgeabl and kind approach to animals and the ecosystem.

It's been a long time since I learned so much and questioned a good number of my beliefs just from reading a book. Impressive.

Very informative book

I enjoyed the way this author built the story and especially liked the bear stories.

Interesting book for anyone interested in wildlife conflict.

It’s a good book. I already knew most of it from my own business. I own and run a nuisance wildlife management company. It was very informative and I’d love for some of my clients to read it for sure. It’s has great info to help people understand what we as humans have done to alter our world for the “good” and the “bad” depending on what kind of animal you are. Nature finds a way always! It’s how we deal with it that truly matters.

Incredible ecology source!

I used this book as a main source in my final project for Wild Animals and Conservation (I'm a 2nd year undergrad), and I can't recommend it highly enough! Captivating, emotional storytelling, a rich mosaic of perspectives, lovely balance of humor and academic language, perfect for anyone just getting into ecology or a more advanced student. Thank you, Dr. Bethany!

Knowledgeable and Insightful Look Into Society

As a personal friend of the author, I love that she writes like she speaks—articulately and matter-of-factly, among other adverbs— but also, that the narrator "got" her voice--timing, inflection, humor--such that listening just sounds like my friend talking to me about a subject she knows well. I absolutely loved it!

Wonderful Words... story, science and wisdom

Probably the best book of its type I've read since Guns, Steel and Germs. A picture of our "Pests" from the past, the now and possible future. A rose by any other name is still a rose, but my pest is not always your pest.

Learned a lot

I deducted one star from the narrator for bad pronunciation of unfamiliar words. When it’s read by a professional, those should be taken out. It’s just disrespectful to people who are not American, an affliction which the author tried so hard to avoid.

Amazing Conclusion!

It started so “Suburban Soccer Mom” and woke liberal feeling that, as a country boy, I thought I wouldn’t make it through chapter one… but then the author became so knowledgeable and fun and in-depth that I enjoyed the book enough to recommend it to everyone! Her worldly travels and effort to experience all walks of life were appreciated! She really did an amazing job bridging the gap between urban dweller, farmer and indigenous hunter that the conclusion came together immaculately! We can all do better with our wild neighbors! Thank you!

Fascinating biology, and a challenge to our simplifications

This very competent science, writer not only gives a gazillion fun facts about the “pests“ she discusses, but reflects on the cultural dynamics by which we designate them as “pests.” She speaks interestingly about the variety of ways—not all obnoxious—they impact our lives.