Rating: 
Summary: This is the 21st Century's Version of 'The Jungle'
Review: First of all, I have no earthly idea how Matthew Scully had the
guts to write this book---and, indeed, maintain his sanity.Each chapter (for me) was overwhelming. I had to take a breather
and attempt to regain my composure every few pages. It's hard for me to believe I breathe the same air with people who so felicitously slaughter and decimate creatures who have
no other reason for being---other than to swim, walk, eat and
live in peace. And, the egos, chicanery, lies, duplicity and---religious
play-acting will boggle your mind. We've proven ourselves a very adept society at killing and
butchering 'lesser' creatures. Mr. Scully is a guiding light and beacon for whom we, each
and every one, should be eternally grateful. It took me weeks and weeks after ordering this book to skewer
up myself to read it; now, I know why. Buckle up, because, in my humble estimation, if you have a modicum of compassion in your being, this book will change your life. I've known for years the horrible things we've done to 'animals' in the name of sustenance, economics, religion
and politics. But, Mr. Scully has shot an arrow into my heart. He will do the same to you. Read it. Then, read it again. Keep an open mind. Do it.
Rating:
Summary: A painful and illuminating book.
Review: Matthew Scully's "Dominion" contains the most powerful writing I've ever read on the subject of how humans treat animals. The facts he presents are so painful that reading it has literally made me lose sleep; thus I'm taking my time and reading it in small portions. Scully is a Christian, and a conservative one at that, and the book's title refers to the book of Genesis and God's act of giving Adam dominion over the animal kingdom. As Scully points out, this term "dominion" does not mean license to exploit or cause to suffer; rather, it refers to an attitude of responsible, appreciative stewardship. Having given up on mainstream Christianity over the very issue of how we treat the natural world and the beings who live in it, I was pleasantly surprised by Scully's emphasis on our responsibility for the choices we make in regards to how we treat all other beings. His book might cause tears, but it certainly demands action. Understanding the suffering we consumers cause by our purchasing acts, we can only maintain our integrity by changing what we choose to support with our dollars. Thus be prepared to face some difficult choices and behavior changes while reading this book. In fact, many readers will probably become animal rights activists. As for those who can read it and continue with old habits that cause grievous suffering--they are either morally lazy or have hearts totally bereft of compassion. If that sounds like a judgment, it is! Changing ourselves for the better takes work, but it's worth it in order to create a more just, respectful world.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book!
Review: From the moment I saw this book offered for sale in Farm Sanctuary's quarterly newsletter I wanted to read it. In the Judeo-Christian ethic, the concept of "dominion" is used to excuse every variety of human cruelty. Few among us haven't had to argue over Genesis 1:28 - "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Even those of us who are not members of the faith will hear this verse come up when we talk about vegetarianism with others who are. This book amply counters that often-misapplied passage from the Bible. Matthew Scully's book, Dominion explores just how humanity exercises its rule over the earth. In three of the chapters, he exposes the gross excess of Safari Club International, the bribery within the International Whaling Commission, and the Smithfield Corporation's complete disregard for the comfort and well being of their pigs. These serve as examples to support the rest of the book, which dissects theoretical arguments for the topics of animal suffering and rights. Scully considers theories and theorists on both sides of the issue, ranging from Steven Budiansky's "secular absolution" for cruelty all the way to Peter Singer's Animal Liberation. So many points are offered that this book deserves a second reading to take in all the information presented. But, Scully points out, ultimately theories are only relevant in theory. What truly matters is kindness and mercy in action. The whole book aims to reform our attitudes towards animals, but the last chapter plainly urges lifestyle changes and offers sensible suggestions to help end their misery. Both practical and philosophical, Dominion is wonderful for anyone trying to further develop their own views. I would also recommend it for those kind-hearted meat-eaters who love their dogs and want to save the whales but are unsure about extending that compassion to the rest of the animal kingdom. Matthew Scully's fascinating book reminds us that the command beginning with "rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth..." doesn't conclude "...with an iron fist." --Reviewed by Rachel Crowley
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Order it now! This is a great book, not just because of the light it sheds on the treatment of animals, but because of its depiction of the wierdness of human beings. The chapter on safari hunters is an unbelievable dark comedy. So is the chapter on hog farmers. The fact that Scully is a former speech writer for George Bush adds a lot to his credibility. He had not much to gain, and a lot to lose, by writing the book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent & balanced
Review: I wish only to comment on Mr Hall's review, as the numerous positive reviews here have said as much as can be said about this excellent book. Mr Hall quite misses one of Scully's main points, that it is the abuse of human dominion that causes animal suffering, not the exercise of dominion itself. Not only are we humans are the only species that can refrain voluntarily from hurting other animals, we are the only species that can actively help them. I can remove a butterfly from a spiderweb or shoo a cat away from a fledgling bird. A dog, horse, elephant or dolphin cannot. Therefore it is incumbent upon we humans that we treat the rest of creation respectfully and mercifully, realizing the dread power we have to create or destroy. Mr Hall thinks that compassionate dominion equals a kindler, gentler form of enslavement, and that this 'dominion' is what caused the mistreatment of the environment in the first place. Scully argues that this is not the case, but that it is the wrong use of power, not the power itself that has negatively affected the animal world. For anyone who liked this book and the way it looks at things, I'd highly recommend the essays of Wendell Berry. For years he's been saying the same kinds of things Scully says in this book, albeit in a different way, basing his criticisms on his 'agrarian' philosophy. There are also those who find it difficult to believe that conservative traditional Christians such as Scully (and myself) can embrace these types of views. I'll simply refer you to a couple things from the Orthodox Christian perspective that you may find helpful. First, a monograph by Kallistos Ware called "Through the Creation to the Creator." And second, "Beyond the Shattered Image," by Greek Orthoodox theologian John Chryssavagis. As for Ms. Gomez, who gave DOMINION one star based on Mr Hall's review, and without reading the book itself: isn't this precisely the kind of 'prejudice' that Liberals constantly accuse Conservatives of? Wouldn't the proper thing to do be to read the book before you give it a bad review? Sheesh!
Rating:
Summary: please wake up world... and read this book!!!
Review: Finally real compassion!
This book is truly a wonderful, truthful, and eye opening book. I am what I consider a "crunchy con" and seeing that the political force of this book doesn't sit in the falsehood of a complete liberal journalist, I find this on a personal level a triumph in fairness and truth. My outcome of this book rests in the eyes of lawmakers all over and FUTURE lawmakers (as myself...a student) that one day this world cares enough to stop such senseless and completely unethical acts of pure violence! I found only more so after reading this book that this end depends on laws, caring and compassion unfortunately aren't enough in this cruel world to make enough of a difference. As the beauty of our country has been...it is us as citizens and law makers who will finally put a stop to senseless killings! Beware though...the disgustingly inhuman like comments and quotes and acts you will read in this book. The truth is a color red...blood red. Thank you Mr. Scully.
Rating: 
Summary: A small step forward that will reach previously deaf ears
Review: While I concur with Mr. Hall's review on many points, I believe he is missing the point. This book will reach an audience that has heretofore been either completely blind and deaf, or indignantly opposed to the animal rights movement. Compassionate enslavement is not the answer that we are looking for, but would most certainly be an improvement upon the horrific ways in which we impose our "dominion" today. In other words, it's a start. If we can get people thinking about the animals and their merit as beings not just for our own gain and profit (and I think Mr. Scully has done a fine job of making this argument), that can and will lead to bigger and better things, eventually. We can dream and envision a world free of suffering imposed by humans on animals all we want, but the hard fact is that it's not going to be that easy to get people to stop eating the meat they've been accustomed to eating. While I cannot personally turn a blind eye, it's very easy for many people to turn their backs on the suffering behind the scenes. If this book provides a wake-up call to some of those who have previously turned the cold shoulder, then I am all for it, even if the first step is just a small improvement of conditions for those animals already in enslavement. It's a small step in what will hopefully eventually create a landslide. I don't know how anyone with a heart that beats could read Mr. Scully's description of touring a factory farm and still continue to support factory farming practices with the "vote of the dollar".
Rating:
Summary: a wake-up call for animal welfare from an unlikely source
Review: This book is an erudite and concise attack on the the meat and hunting industries. Read it and weep. . .how can humans continue to ignore the unthinkable suffering inflicted upon animals for personal benefit. This book will make you think twice about eating that steak or pork chop. How can a food product taken from a stressed, and unnaturally produced animal be healthy for human consumption? How can we cause innocent animals to suffer for our own gain? This book is a must read for all. If you are an ardent canivore, then you should read this book so that your canivorous ways are an informed decision, rather than a blind support of an industry of which you are not informed of. Read it and make a decision as to which industries you want to support and promote. If you feel it is okay after reading this book to eat a steak, then go for it. Just be open to learning about the harsh realities of what goes on in the industry to bring that meat to your table.
Rating: 
Summary: Thank You Mr. Hall
Review: For your forthright and thought provoking review,I will not waste the money now for this book!It is off my list and you are on my list of reviews to look for!
Rating:
Summary: A Plea for Compassionate Enslavement
Review: Matthew Scully exclaims that vegetarianism should not be dismissed as "radical animal rights nonsense," given that vegetarians act consistently with the noble concepts from which human rights arise. But how ingenuously can human rights be cited as guideposts in a book that tells us how we ought to kill? Yes, animal rights activists have extended the philosophy of human rights outward. But the book misses its own point: We do have concepts of human rights. We reject the continued enslavement of human beings outright. We make no exceptions for compassionate slavery. Scully insists that only morality articulated in religious terms will carry the day, because "in America, it is worth noting that no moral cause ever got very far without speaking to religious conviction". But an earnest spirituality does not require acceptance of Scully's imperious view of animals any more than it requires adherence to the concept, presented in Genesis, of women's subservience to men, or the condonation of slavery in Leviticus. The idea of subjugation enabled us to own other animals in the first place, and then presented us with the spectrum of possible cruelties to inflict upon them. It then left to us the decision about just what degree of humane protections we ought to extend. Would Scully argue for laws to protect trafficked human beings -- mandating humane treatment, but not their release? A willingness to leave animals in the stream of commerce demonstrates Scully's acceptance of the very moral relativity that the book purports to repudiate. In Scully's view, animals are inferior creatures to be kept in order by civilized authorities. Scully's view of animals is that "[t]heir gifts, the ones their Creator intended for them, are good for many things - governing just isn't one of them." Scully persists: "Someone has to assume domination, and looking around the earth we seem to be the best candidates". Given that Scully worked on Bush's presidential campaign, perhaps such an obsession can be expected; but great is the tragedy in cherishing the urge to govern so much that one employs the idea to antagonize every unsuspecting sentient being. Scully relies on personal knowledge -- Bush rescues stray animals, notes Scully -- to conclude that Bush "would be appalled by the conditions of a typical American factory farm or packing plant." While this may well be true, Scully avoids any observation of the vast harm visited upon animals by the Bush administration's military exploits and open disdain for environmental protection. Because the book lacks the necessary political understanding to identify the interests of animals beyond the conditions set up after animals are already made into objects of commerce, any changes it effects will be superficial. Unless you are an animal advocate who feels reflexively obliged to buy and praise every book by anyone who comes up with an opinion about animals, this author is not recommended. The rush by the animal protection community to sing Matthew Scully's praises is cause for alarm, for this conservative Christian version of animal advocacy promotes the very thinking that has objectified animals. If we can outgrow the tendency to aggrandize ourselves, perhaps we can respect animals on their own terms, and by doing so, we may yet learn to live peacefully with other human groups. Meaningful change will not appear overnight, but if we envision and work for meaningful change, it will come. It will come one day at a time, as individuals discover their power to change social attitudes. Our main use of animals -- a use over which we have complete control -- involves eating them. We can call ourselves decent and holy and leave our moral responsibility with legislators, as Scully advises, or we could save a lot of time and get to the point: Eat something else.
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