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The Genome is a wonderful thing, and whether you - like me - spend daily time wondering/working on it or not, it is always there and could not be more intimate as it is in all your cells. I previously read, The Emperor al all Maladies, and really liked it, so obviously, I was even more looking forward to reading The Gene.

Without going in too much detail (you should read the book yourself), I really liked it and the anecdotal way the story is told made there was still something to learn, despite my biomedical training. I would like to end with an anecdote from myself. I once went to an X-men movie (don't remember exactly which one), and they acknowledged Mukherjee for generating interest into the topic.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

TITLE:   The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History

AUTHOR:  Brian M. Fagan

DATE PUBLISHED:  2015

FORMAT:  Hardcover

ISBN-13:  9781620405727

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DESCRIPTION:

"Animals, and our ever-changing relationship with them, have left an indelible mark on human history. From the dawn of our existence, animals and humans have been constantly redefining their relationship with one another, and entire civilizations have risen and fallen upon this curious bond we share with our fellow fauna. Brian Fagan unfolds this fascinating story from the first wolf who wandered into our prehistoric ancestors' camp and found companionship, to empires built on the backs of horses, donkeys, and camels, to the industrial age when some animals became commodities, often brutally exploited, and others became pets, nurtured and pampered, sometimes to absurd extremes.

Through an in-depth analysis of six truly transformative human-animal relationships, Fagan shows how our habits and our very way of life were considerably and irreversibly altered by our intimate bond with animals. Among other stories, Fagan explores how herding changed human behavior; how the humble donkey helped launch the process of globalization; and how the horse carried a hearty band of nomads across the world and toppled the emperor of China.

With characteristic care and penetrating insight, Fagan reveals the profound influence that animals have exercised on human history and how, in fact, they often drove it. "

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REVIEW:

The Intimate Bond is an introductory text that takes a look at the historical relationship between humans and animals.  Fagan deals mostly with the domestication and uses of wolves/dogs, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, donkeys, horses, and camels.  Each chapter begins with a speculative fictional narrative. Then Fagan makes use of anthropology/ paleontological information with a passing mention of any relevant DNA studies to show us when and how domestication took place and then what uses that particular animal had - usually as food, means of transport or raw material for clothing.   Fagan also adds a fair amount of his romantic idea of pre-industrial farming.  The chapter on donkeys is particularly interesting in terms of the history of large scale trade caravans.  The chapter on the use of horses in war is particularly depressing and horrifying.  There are also several chapters dedicated to the past and present treatment of animals in Britain.  Fagan does leave out completely the transfer of diseases (zoonoses) from domesticated animals to humans (e.g. TB), which I feel had an important influence on human society.  None-the-less, an interesting historical perspecitve on the relationship between humans and their animals.

I prefer the author's Emperor of All Maladies to this one - that book's organization was better, I think - but it was still an interesting and informative listen. Audio wasn't the best way to go for actually retaining much of it, but considering my track record with nonfiction, I doubt I'd have finished a paper copy.

“Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy” – Psalm 86:1

As days go by in our life here on earth so many times our focus gets fixed on something transient and passing. Daily cares of life, all the needs and desires of others in our lives, even our own ambitions, and goals sometimes cloud the vision for what really matters. Remember when you started to know the Lord, the day you bowed your knee and spoke with your Lord who redeemed you? Remember the awe in your heart for Him who died for you? How sitting at his feet for hours was easy? We all can drift from this intimate focus on the Lord, where our hearts desire was for Him to just hear us and answer. Where we had a poor and needy attitude of being poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). If you have drifted from this goal, you can still put your main aim to know Jesus more intimately, He is waiting for you.

There is a wonderful contemporary song that captures some of the heart of being a friend with Jesus but still having great fear and awe in what He did for us, here are some of the lyrics:

Wonderful, merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would’ve thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men

Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne

Today, set your heart back to the place where you first found Him. Not in just Bible reading, or in ministry endeavours or other Christian things, but in that place where you sat at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:39) for Him alone. One day we will bow at His feet in heaven in adoration. Let us also now be found at His feet in intimate worship and relationship.

Lord, I bow today before Your feet, I look to Your face and just long to hear words from Your mouth. Forgive me for being so distracted with other things. Precious Lord let me know You more intimately day after day until I see you soon. Amen.