(Bloomsbury Nature Writing)
by Richard Jones (Author)
Today we live in snug,
well-furnished houses surrounded by the trappings of a civilized life.
But we are not alone--we suffer a constant stream of unwanted visitors.
Our houses, our food, our belongings, our very existence are under
constant attack from a host of invaders eager to take advantage of our
shelter, our food stores and our tasty soft furnishings.
From bats
in the belfry to beetles in the cellar, moths in the wardrobe and
mosquitoes in the bedroom, humans cannot escape the attentions of the
animal kingdom. Nature may be red in tooth and claw, but when it's our
blood the bedbugs are after, when it's our cereal bowl that's littered
with mouse droppings, and when it's our favorite chair that collapses
due to woodworm in the legs, it really brings it home the fact that we
and our homes are part of nature too.
This book represents a 21st
century version of the classic Medieval bestiary. It poses questions
such as where these animals came from, can we live with them, can we get
rid of them, and should we? Written in Richard Jones's engaging style
and with a funky-retro design, House Guests, House Pests will be a book to treasure.
