The Medici Giraffe: And Other Tales of Exotic Animals and Power

from susanbevans

Since the beginning of time, exotic animals have been used as powerful diplomatic tools, representing the wealth and prestige of their masters. Political gifts of animals such as the strong and intelligent elephant, have long been instrumental in brokering peace and aligning nations as allies. In...

from susanbevans

Since the beginning of time, exotic animals have been used as powerful diplomatic tools, representing the wealth and prestige of their masters. Political gifts of animals such as the strong and intelligent elephant, have long been instrumental in brokering peace and aligning nations as allies. In...

from MiaCulpa

A history of animals used as ways to gain influence and power sounds very intriguing and parts of this book live up to the promise of the cover. Each section covers someone famous obtaining exotic animals (Lorenzo Medici gets a giraffe while Josephine Bonaparte scored some black swans) and then w...

from ratastrophe

Interesting, thorough, and quite engaging!

from NielsenGW

Human beings and the rest of the animal kingdom share an interesting and symbiotic relationship. People have shaped the history of animals and certain animals have shaped the history of humanity. Marina Belozerskaya's The Medici Giraffe attempts to bring together seven stories of historic animals...