Reviews for Ordinary Beasts

“Upending the premise of ‘fair game’ when only one side is armed with a weapon, Howard Siegel’s Ordinary Beasts: Hunting and Cultural Psychopathy heaps particular disdain on the idea that we’ honor’ animals by blasting them to death. Siegel rightly mocks any attempt by hunters to normalize the cruelty of killing for pleasure. His compelling arguments might give even the most defiant hunter pause, and non-hunters will come away with plenty of anti-hunting ammunition.”

Ingrid Newkirk, President
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

5.0 Out of 5 Stars
A ‘No Holds Barred Look At What Compels Some People To Hunt And Kill Animals For Fun

Ordinary Beasts is a personal, down-to-earth, sometimes humorous, often brutal examination of what compels some people to hunt and kill animals. Howard Siegel has the courage to ask the big questions we so often shy away from, like why some people enjoy killing and what this says about them, and why we seem to feel compelled to respect societal ‘norms’ and cultures even when they transgress our ethical ‘red lines.’ This accessible and thought-provoking exploration of a highly controversial issue makes for compelling, if at times uncomfortable, reading.

Mark Jones, Head of Policy at the Born Free Foundation

A short, inexpensive, but truly remarkable book that introduces the concept of “cultural psychopathy.” The “ordinary beasts” of the title referring not to any non-human entities but to that category of subhumans who voluntarily succumb to the blood-lust of sport hunting. To be distinguished from “extraordinary beasts” who are the more highly publicized psychopaths, the Bundys, the Gaceys, the Ramirezes who constitute the involuntary, hardwired psychopaths who have no choice about their lack of empathy and compassion. Both categories of beasts being united operationally by their obscene compulsion for thrill-killing.

Mr. Siegel cuts through all the self-serving claptrap that hunters regurgitate about their “sport,” it being all about “fair chase,” respecting game animals, conserving nature, and feeding hungry families. Along the way, he lacerates the likes of Jose Ortega y Gasset, patron saint of “ethical hunters,” with his profoundly weird justification for the lethal nexus of man and nature, served up in a souffle of Latin philoso-babble (imagine Ricardo Montebalm tripping on LSD and you get the picture). And he takes on with full frontal assault that most loathsome subspecies of the hunting genus, trophy hunters. Although this is a depressing, deadly serious subject (especially for the animal victims!), Mr. Siegel’s writing is so imbued with irony, mocking humor, and frequent reference to pop culture icons (everything from Teddy Bears to Opie Taylor) as to make this an easy, light-hearted read even as he pulls-no-punches in disposing of the hunting fraternity’s most hallowed sophistries.

The author is a deeply insightful, extraordinary man not only for his courage and candor in writing about the moral abomination of sport hunting but also because he took it upon himself to self-publish a book that was apparently too-hot-to-handle for the mainstream publishing media. Hunting apologists beware; you are figuratively and literally fish-in-a-barrel to Siegel’s pen.

George Bates, Associate Professor of Veterinary Medical Technology at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA.

5.0 Out of 5 Stars 
Brilliant Treatment of Hunting

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2019, ORDINARY BEASTS is one of the most well-reasoned books I have ever read. Siegel’s arguments are extremely compelling. His style is so engaging that, even though this is a DEADLY SERIOUS subject, he literally had me laughing while reading. Siegel’s mention of cultural psychopathy, the definition of fun, the unfair match, the concept that wildlife must earn our empathy, the normalization of cruelty, killing for hunter’s immediate gratification and self-pleasuring, and the thrill of the kill are a few things that stood out to me. ORDINARY BEASTS is a brilliant treatment of hunting, a must-read for anyone who opposes – or, for that matter, anyone who supports – hunting.

Gail E.

5.0 Out of 5 Stars 
Hunting Fair Game? It’s Not “Fair” and is Surely Not a “Game”!

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2019Siegel challenges the reader to reevaluate his or her understanding of “hunting” and what motivates the hunter. This worthwhile treatise provides several perspectives, many examples, and “no fake news.” Well written with wry humor and easily read - go for it if you’re hunting the truth.

Chick Vladuchick