The Longest Story

‘Informed and persuasive… By the end, you wonder why the animals have put up with us.’

‘Thought-provoking.’

‘An extraordinary book, brimming with wisdom and insight. Richard Girling holds up a horrifying mirror for us: how can the cleverest creature on earth be so unutterably stupid?’

‘The Longest Story is a compelling and thought-inspiring search inside our moral selves. Through masterful introspection, Girling delves into our relationships, fascinations and follies with animals. He tracks the origins of attitudes, unpacks contradictions and asks whether our interactions with other species holds the key to our own survival. In an age of extinction, this is essential reading.’

‘A brilliant book. Absorbing and – yes – shaming.’

‘The Longest Story blends natural history, philosophy, and narrative artistry to explore the connections between humans and animals, from prehistory to the present and the future. Written in descriptive, almost lyrical prose… The Longest Story is brimming cover to cover with fascinating facts.’

‘Girling brings immediacy to his engaging commentary, whether he’s exploring ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, or the twenty-first century… This thoughtful offering is a plea for readers to respect life in all forms.’

‘Richard Girling’s The Longest Story is a social science examination of the relationships between humans and animals – a topic that’s seldom considered, but is close at hand and environmentally relevant… mythic in scope and style… it works toward a stunning conclusion about where humans should look for wisdom.’