Full disclosure: Bob's a friend of mine, so I'm doubtless a bit biased.

That said, this was a hugely interesting, thought-provoking, at times uncomfortable read. As a professor who has taught his share of introductory philosophy courses, Bob does a great job of making this content seem immediate, relevant, and approachable. His clear language, sense of humor, and warmth all help one stay engaged throughout.

While it becomes quickly apparent that an exhaustive treatment of the content would require four times the page count present in this already-substantial tome, this does a great job of introducing one to the various aspects of animal and human interactions and providing a wealth of threads to follow if one wishes to continue learning about the subject. And while Bob has a point of view (and, unusual among philosophers, actually shares it!), he does a good job of representing opposing views with compassion and clarity.

Recommended for anyone interested in the subject.

Not recommended for those who want to avoid feeling any discomfort around how humans relate with animals.