Lots of Facts, Lots of Sad Stuff

Very knowledgeable author Brandon Keim sets out to inform the reader about the fauna that surround us. No longer will you think of any creature as mere vermin (or I don't think you will) as he peppers the book with interesting tidbits that one would never know (for example, raccoons adopting orphaned kits--how sweet is that?). However, there is so much heaviness about our dismal history with animal treatment, even when people are trying to do the right thing. I had to meter my intake of information as it really dragged me down, although arguably not as much as it drags down the actual animals, so I should probably stop complaining. I do recommend it, but have another, more uplifting book to read alongside it, and then go and join a conservation organization.