Animal Madness
A Rapid Review
Animal Madness by Laurel Braitman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster | June 2014
Format: Audio Download | 11½ hours | Rating: 4 stars
Audio Listening Level: Easy
How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, Gorillas on Drugs, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves.
Through extensive research on various species throughout the world, the author reveals hows animals, like humans, can suffer from mental illness and can possibly be helped through treatment. Her interest in the subject began with her own dog, a rescue, who exhibited severe emotional issues and fear of abandonment. He was aggressive, compulsive, and one time jumped out of a 4th story window.
This was a difficult and at times disturbing book for me to read. As a wildlife volunteer I observe animals in their natural habitats and am awed at what they do instinctively. Many of the animals the author profiled were wild animals – elephants, gorillas, birds – captured by humans; their stories are heartbreaking. When wild animals are removed from their natural environment, behavioral issues are often the result. I confess, I’m not a big fan of zoos or circuses. Many do an adequate job of providing for the animals, but far too many do not; a nice cage is still a cage.
Audio production:
The book was read by Madeleine Maby in a pleasant, easy to listen to voice. The book moves through a series of stories about the various animals the author researched, making this a good choice for audio over print.
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Source: Review copies were provided by the publishers.
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Under My Apple Tree 
Although it sounds interesting I think I might have a difficult time listening to it for the same reasons. I’m with you on zoos and circuses as well.
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Lelsie, thanks for your honest review of this audiobook. It is wonderful that you’re a wildlife volunteer.
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Wow! I think this book would make me sad.
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This sounds like it would be a tough read for me as well.
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I think tis sounds like a fascinating book. As a dog owner, I’m always interested in what my dog is thinking. I know we can never know this, but books like this one can give insight.
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Oh gosh, what a tough, emotional read.
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