Animals Go to War: From Dogs to Dolphins

by Connie Goldsmith

Overview

In the twenty-first century, military marine mammals detect lost equipment and underwater mines. Large rats are trained to find land mines in more than 80 countries. Military working dogs search for explosive devices and other weapons and are trained to take down enemy combatants. In earlier centuries, military fighters rode horses into battle, relied on elephants to haul supplies, and trained pigeons to carry messages. Even cats, goats, and chickens have served in wartime—as mascots! Learn about the history of animals in warfare, the functions they serve and how they are trained, as well as the psychology that makes animals such good partners in warfare.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781541538139
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	23 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Connie Goldsmith is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a master of public administration degree in health care. She has written numerous books for YA readers and nearly two hundred magazine articles. Her recent books include Kiyo Sato: From a WWII Japanese Internment Camp to a Life of Service (2020), a Junior Library Guild selection; Running on Empty: Sleeplessness in American Teens (2021); Understanding Coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021); and Bombs Over Bikini: The World's First Nuclear Disaster (2014), a Junior Library Guild selection, a Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, an Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Book, and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Winner. She lives in Sacramento, California. Visit her website at http://www.conniegoldsmith.com/.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Comrades in War: Judy and Frank 6

Chapter 2 Armored Tanks of the Ancient World: Elephants 14

Chapter 3 Loyal and True: Horses 30

Chapter 4 Beasts of Burden: Mules and Camels 46

Chapter 5 Feathered Heroes: Pigeons 58

Chapter 6 Man's Best Friend: Dogs 74

Chapter 7 Lucky Charms and Atomic Pigs 92

Chapter 8 Animals in the Twenty-First Century 104

Source Notes 118

Glossary 125

Selected Bibliography 126

Further Information 128

Index 132

Editorial Reviews

"[L]ucid, accessible, and engaging . . ."—Booklist

From the Publisher

11/01/2018

Gr 4–7—An introduction on the concept of military working animals—beyond bomb-sniffing dogs. Marine mammals that detect underwater mines and lost equipment, carrier pigeons that deliver messages across long distances, elephants that haul supplies, and many other interesting creatures are highlighted. The text is well written and informative. It is clear that Goldsmith did her research on each of her topics. Chapters aren't too lengthy and will keep readers engaged. The content is well organized, and each chapter flows together in a logical way. VERDICT Purchase for collections where readers are interested in alternative parts of the military.—Paige Garrison, The Davis Academy, Sandy Springs, GA

School Library Journal

2018-08-20

Throughout history, animals working with humans have played important roles in human warfare.

The author of Dogs at War (2017) broadens her look at the use of animals in war by introducing other species—elephants, horses, mules, camels, pigeons, and marine mammals—as well as animal mascots, experimental subjects, and 21st-century considerations of animal rights. Teen readers may particularly enjoy the specific stories, but they might learn something of world history in the process. Goldsmith (Pandemic, 2018, etc.) opens with the example of Judy, a dog who rescued drowning British POWs and stayed with one in prison camp until the end of World War II. Like many of the animals introduced, Judy won Britain's Dickin Medal for animal heroism. In chapters generally focused on specific species, she discusses the roles animals played historically as well as today and mentions current use of bomb-sniffing rats and drone-attacking eagles. Quotations from handlers attest to the animals' strong connections with humans and their importance in these roles. Each spread includes a well-captioned photograph and plentiful section heads to break up the text. Occasionally, specific examples are set off on a differently designed page. Extensive backmatter includes suggestions for further exploration of the topic in varied formats.

A solid choice for school and public libraries, with special appeal for animal lovers. (source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, further information, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)

Kirkus Reviews