The contradictions and moral ambiguities of our collective attitudes to animals are baffling. By telling the love-hate story of man and beast, from their first acquaintance in deep prehistory to the present day and beyond, award-winning environmental journalist Richard Girling reveals how and where the contradictions began - and how they have persisted, warped and become magnified ever since.

Narrated by a wise contemporary everyman, aware only of what is known by people of the time, The Longest Story reveals the cumulative influence of theologians, writers, artists, philosophers and scientists century-by-century. As more knowledge is attained, stereotypes are challenged and modern perceptions - of scientific experimentation, pet-ownership, animal rights, intelligence, welfare and wildlife conservation - are questioned. Looking forward, it anticipates a future where the very nature of living organisms could be transformed by technologies more terrifying than the mythical powers of gods. With a perspective lofty enough to keep the broad sweep of history in sight and low enough to spot the telling detail, Girling paints a comprehensive and vivid portrait of humanity, as seen through our relationship to animals, in this original and thought-provoking opus.