Rating: 
Summary: Should Be Required Reading For Our Government Leaders
Review: I first heard of this book through a book review in the Wall Street Journal. I was intrigued that a person who served as a speechwriter for George W. would author a book on this topic. I read this book over the holidays, not the best time to decide to become a vegetarian. I have driven by numerous factory hog farms over the years, but have never given much thought to what was going on inside. His detailed descriptions of that industry are still vivid in my mind. I've never understood how people can hunt and kill beautiful wild creatures, but Scully does a masterful job at countering all of the arguments that hunters use to defend their actions. After reading this book, one will never look upon their pets, farm animals, or wild creatures in the same way. It is truly a life-changing book which needs to be read by a large audience, especially by our government leaders who need to help stop the barbaric ways we treat animals.
Rating: 
Summary: Religionists v. secularists v. animal rights
Review: Let me say at the outset that it's about time a Christian checked in with a pro-animal book. I recommend this book highly; the riveting chapters on his close encounters with Safari Club International and the NC pig factories are alone worth the price. But I have a few bones to pick.One of Scully's 'betes noirs' is Peter Singer, just about everybody's favorite whipping boy. Scully seems to mistakenly believe that, first of all, atheists have no moral grounding and think life is basically meaningless. The fact that Singer believes we should be kind to animals just because they are sentient and they suffer doesn't seem to be as important to Scully as their 'souls', and the 'souls' of the humans dealing with them. And he gratuitously discusses Singer's controversial ideas about euthanasia, infanticide and the treatment of retarded humans, as if to say Singer can't be trusted on any issue if he feels that way about humans. That's like throwing the baby out with the bathwater (so to speak). I could just as unfairly mention that Scully works for George W. Bush, whom he (incredibly) characterizes as 'kind' despite the fact that Bush has been complicit in the deaths of thousands of innocents in his (so far) three-year reign of terrorism. And the fact that his boss is anti-environment, pro-corporate/pro-rancher and anti-animal rights makes me wonder how Scully can possibly work for a man like Bush and live with his own 'soul'. But that would be gratuitous of me, wouldn't it? I also have a problem with Scully's insinuation that one can't be pro-choice/abortion as well as pro-animal welfare/rights without being a hypocrite. Well, I am both, and I don't consider myself a hypocrite. I happen to believe that birth control/abortion for domesticated animals (humans, cats, dogs, etc.), who are overpopulating the planet and severely straining its resources is absolutely vital for the sustainable future of the planet and its residents--all of them, both plant and animal. It's far more humane to control births and abort embryos and fetuses than allow too many humans and domesticated animals to be born, only to starve because of competition for food (in the case of humans), or (in the case of dogs and cats) be rounded up and routinely euthanized as adults because there's no room for them. Scully apparently does not agree. Despite my quibbles, I urge everyone interested in animal and environmental issues to read this book. It's well written and researched, thoughtful, and clearly comes from Scully's heart.
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking, yet makes a great gift!
Review: As a vegetarian and animal protectionist my knowledge of the way we treat animals in America is what I would call "hard core". Reading this book, however, opened my eyes to additional aspects of animal profiteering that were heartbreaking. The first two chapters of the book had the greatest affect on me, and I'm not embarassed to admit that they made me cry. The best part about this book is that it isn't directed toward people like me who are already informed about a lot of the issues, but more towards the "common American" who uses animal products out of habit and doesn't really even think twice about it. After reading Dominion, I bought ten copies of this book, and used them as Christmas presents for my parents, aunts, and cousins. This is a great way to introduce yourself or someone you care about to the deplorable way that corporate America and the political elite treat animals in this country. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read for thinkers
Review: Fighting for the past 10 months to make the slaughter of American horses illegal has turned me away from my conservative Republican leanings and also made me a rabid reader of books on animal feelings and animal welfare. None of these books holds a candle to DOMINION. I recommend it to everyone, whether they adore animals or are indifferent to them, whether they are socially liberal or conservative, religious or not. (I even e-mailed all the Illinois state legislators and told them they had to read DOMINION before deciding how they will vote this spring on a bill to ban horse slaughter.) This is an eloquently written, hauntingly sad, impeccably reasoned, morally enlightened and Biblically illuminating treatise on the important of treating earth's creatures (wildlife, livestock, research subjects, marine life) with kindness and mercy, respecting their inherent dignity and their unique purpose in life. I love how Scully holds a mirror to the ridiculous arguments of those who justify crushing the spirit and life out of "lesser" beings. He allows them to make fools of themselves, so he doesn't have to personally attack them to make the point that they are devoid of both compassion and logic. If reading DOMINION doesn't make the receptive reader stop eating meat and start demanding an end to the legal torture of animals, nothing will. Needless to say, I couldn't put it down, and I sure marked it up!
Rating:
Summary: Heartfelt Plea For Greater Awareness!
Review: "Dominion" is a very well written, heartfelt plea for greater awareness of animal suffering and our human role in their survival on Earth. It is a thoughtful book that makes the reader stop to think about the impact of our human actions on other species co-existing with us. Ultimately, we humans are the stewards on this planet and we should fulfil our duty with loving care! I fully agree with Mr. Scully's statement that, "...animals are so easily overlooked, their interests so easily brushed aside...", but I was disappointed that Mr. Scully, like so many others, focuses so exclusively on the larger, visually appealing animals, such as the milking cows, woolly sheep and cute furry creatures destined to become fur coats. Though these animals do deserve our attention, let us not so easily brush aside the smaller species. I refer specifically to the essential pollution and pesticide/herbicide endangered honeybee species on whose critical pollination services our agriculture and, in fact, our vegetarian food supply --- all those fruits, nuts, propolis and medicinal, delicious honeys --- all depend! My full appreciation for the endangered honeybee species really came after reading the inspiring book, "ACCUSED BY FACET-EYES" by the scientist-author C.B. Don. I'm sure many readers care as much as I do about, "...all creatures great and small...", and since in "Dominion" the "small" are somewhat forgotten, I would highly recommend reading, "Accused By Facet-Eyes", to make up for this omission. Just don't be put off by the sci-fi subtitle of this serious eco-book for it is based on real, enlightening scientific facts blended into a deeply caring, imaginative and emotion-stirring tale about our threatened honeybee world. "Dominion" is a worthy book and I loved it, but let's pause a while for the ever-faithful, small and forgotten pollinator beings as well. If we don't give our attention to the complete ecosystem in which we live, the endangerment and suffering of all animals --- from cows to pollinator-honeybees --- our own future on this one Earth will be in serious jeopardy, too!
Rating:
Summary: This Is A Wonderful Start!
Review: I'm not a very good writer of reviews, but I did want to comment about this book - so I'll risk the public humiliation offer my thoughts. Matthew Scully is clearly a deeply compassionate human being, and I'm so very happy that he had the guts to write this book. I'm sure he's probably had many opportunites to regret it (though I doubt he did even so). I felt for him throughout the book because I know that a good percentage of people will refuse to even pick this book up (probably out of fear) - and of those that do, a good percentage won't be able to open their minds (hearts) to the message. I've always been aware of the horrors of the factory farm and laboratory; however, I was not aware of the extent of cruelty and greed in the hunting industry - it made me indignant. I think this book is an important start considering the climate we currently live in. I personally feel simply eliminating cruelty in factory farms is not enough; however, at least that is something that might be possible - to some degree anyway (whereas eliminating the slaughter of animals for food is probably never going to happen ever). I hope this Matthew Scully will write more. People seem to warm to his writing style. I've given this book to many aquaintances to read, and they all came back with a new perspective on their reality - and they were happy for it. I think it would be great for everyone to read this book - then each person could judge for themselves what they want to get from it.
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking, yet makes a great gift!
Review: As a vegetarian and animal protectionist my knowledge of the way we treat animals in America is what I would call "hard core". Reading this book, however, opened my eyes to additional aspects of animal profiteering that were heartbreaking. The first two chapters of the book had the greatest affect on me, and I'm not embarassed to admit that they made me cry. The best part about this book is that it isn't directed toward people like me who are already informed about a lot of the issues, but more towards the "common American" who uses animal products out of habit and doesn't really even think twice about it. After reading Dominion, I bought ten copies of this book, and used them as Christmas presents for my parents, aunts, and cousins. This is a great way to introduce yourself or someone you care about to the deplorable way that corporate America and the political elite treat animals in this country. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A most excellent book for all points of view
Review: No matter what your political point of view, this book on animal abuse is for you. Matthew Scully has written the best book on animal welfare in a generation. Not preachy or heavy-handed, Scully has penned a book that is accessible to the average person who does not give a damn about animals. Read this book and you will weep for all mankind. Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, this book is for you!!
Rating:
Summary: This Book Is a Wake Up Call Long Overdue
Review: Matthew Scully book is everything that others have attempted to be. He has done his homework and delivers the cold hard facts. While I read the book, I fought the urge to pull out my highlighter. It is simply brilliant. When I read the final page, I put down the book and I felt as if I had "seen" something that wasn't there before. He has found a way to articulate the way so many of us feel. I can see that it is already making some people nervous. This is not your mother's animal rights movement.
Rating:
Summary: The Power of Man--the perfect subtitle
Review: A meditation not on suffering, but on power. The standing arguments that animals deserve our mercy becuase of "rights" becomes an interesting parlor game compared to the concept of mercy and responsibility. The commoditization of sentient beings--human and nonhuman--surely has to be the ultimate power that our species holds and how we choose to wield it will define our moral future. For that reason alone it should be read. Don't be fooled, as my friend two reviews down is, to comfortably escape the implications of our power by simply saying 'its OK to eat meat'. To say that this book is about being a vegetarian is to say that "The Old Man and the Sea" is about fishing.
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