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Badger
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
6 posts | 1 read | 5 to read
Fierce, menacing, and mysterious, badgers have fascinated humans as living animals, abstract symbols, or commercial resources for thousands of yearsoften to their detriment. With their reputation for determined self-defense, they have been brutalized by hunters and sportsmen, while their association with the mythic underworld has made them idealized symbols of earth-based wisdom and their burrowing habits have resulted in their widespread persecution as pests. In this highly illustrated book, Daniel Heath Justice provides the first global cultural history of the badger in over thirty years. From the iconic European badger and its North American kin to the African honey badger and Southeast Asian hog badger, Justice considers the badgers evolution and widespread distribution alongside its current, often-imperiled status throughout the world. He travels from natural history and life in the wild to the folklore, legends, and spiritual beliefs that badgers continue to inspire, while also exploring their representation and exploitation in industry, religion, and the arts. Tracing the complex and contradictory ways in which this fascinating animal endures, Badger will appeal to anyone interested in a deeper understanding of these much-maligned creatures.
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Lindy
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
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This one of the Animal series published by Reaktion Books and I intend to read more. I love the blend of natural history with mythology, literature, popular culture, and the historical connections between badgers and humans. Nice to hear the perspective of an #Indigenousvoice too. The chapter on sadistic cruelty towards badgers was a tough read, though, just saying.

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Lindy
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
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Modelled in part on the flamboyant and tradition-flaunting Oscar Wilde, the aristocratic Toad stands somewhat apart from the domesticating morality of these stolid, upper-middle-class mammals.
[illustration by EH Shepard]

Grrlbrarian Oh my gosh! Never knew Toad was modeled on Wilde (even in part). Cool bookish tidbit! 7y
Lindy @Grrlbrarian I know! This book is part of a fascinating series by Reaktion Books. 7y
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Lindy
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
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In The Wind in the Willows is "a male-dominated world where gender is largely fluid, and where the main characters are defined far more by their domestic delights and affections than with the very brief battle at the story's end."

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Lindy
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
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I'm learning about badgers in folklore, as in this medieval medical info, where it's said that if "anything of evil has been done to any one so that he may not enjoy his sexual lusts, let him boil a badger's testicles in running spring-water & in honey & let him take it then fasting for 3 days; he will soon be better."

Lindy In the self-portrait by Sodoma, pictured, there's a reason why the pet badger is apparently staring at the artist's groin. 😉 7y
shawnmooney OMG! Whatever possessed you to read this? (he asks, approvingly) Might Sodoma be testifying in court? It sure looks like the animal might be, you know, you-know-whatting the witness... 7y
Lindy @shawnmooney Giovanni Bazzi, the Italian artist, was known as Sodoma for exactly the reason that first comes to mind. Google more of the fresco online, if you wish: The Life of St Benedict, located in the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. 7y
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Lindy @shawnmooney Why read about badgers? Because this book is by Daniel Heath Justice and I heard about it from Shelagh Rodgers on The Next Chapter podcast. 7y
Lindy @shawnmooney and speaking of you-know-what-ing the witness, the book also features a painting by Stephen Somers of a badger looking at a naked woman lying in fetal position. It's called "Please Don't Badger Me." 7y
shawnmooney Shelagh Rogers, sodomy, and puns: sold! 7y
TheNextBook 😳😳😳 This is by far the last thread I thought I would come across today! 😂😂😂 WTF?! Hilarious! 7y
Lindy @TheNextBook I hope it was a good kind of WTF. 😉 7y
Lindy @shawnmooney BTW, this is in the same series as another book that generated many quotes from me: 7y
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Lindy
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
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Hanging out with critters at my brother's farm, reading about badgers. #cozy

LeahBergen 😍😍 7y
SoniaC Nice! 7y
ApoptyGina69 Great afternoon! I am doing the same🐕🐕🍷📚 7y
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Lindy @ApoptyGina69 👍👍👍 7y
Hobbinol 😻Gr8 photo! 7y
Lindy @Hobbinol Thanks. Hope you've had reading time too. 😊 7y
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
Badger | Daniel Heath Justice
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Just started reading this cultural history of an animal I haven't thought much about by a favourite author of mine. I love his Indigenous queer fantasy trilogy so am interested to see what this very different book is like!

Lindy I've been meaning to read this. Look forward to your thoughts. 8y
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