Beers, Diane L.

PERSONAL:

Education: Temple University, Ph.D.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Department of History, Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040. E-mail—dbeers@hcc.mass.edu.

CAREER:

Writer, educator. Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA, associate professor.

WRITINGS:

For the Prevention of Cruelty: The History and Legacy of Animal Rights Activism in the United States, Swallow Press/Ohio University Press (Athens, OH), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

A history professor, Diane L. Beers specializes in African American, women's, and environmental history, as well as the history of animal rights. It is this last field of specialty that Beers put to use in her first book, For the Prevention of Cruelty: The History and Legacy of Animal Rights Activism in the United States. Speaking with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau of Satya Magazine, Beers revealed her inspiration for writing the book: "The book really represents a union of beliefs that drive me both professionally and personally. Like many folks who support or participate in animal advocacy, I have a lifelong love and appreciation for nature and the nonhuman species that share the world we live in. I was the kid who brought home stray dogs and cats. I was the college student who pondered becoming a veterinarian or environmental activist. I am now the adult committed to animal advocacy."

Reviewers responded warmly to this overview of animal rights protection from the inception of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866 to the modern day. Patrick-Goudreau commended the work as a "meticulously researched and eloquently written book [that] traces the history of organized animal advocacy in the U.S. from its earliest beginnings." Further praise came from Booklist contributor George Cohen, who termed For the Prevention of Cruelty "an insightful look at an imperative movement," and from a Publishers Weekly reviewer, who called the work a "superbly convincing account."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, June 1, 2006, George Cohen, review of For the Prevention of Cruelty: The History and Legacy of Animal Rights Activism in the United States, p. 7.

Publishers Weekly, May 8, 2006, review of For the Prevention of Cruelty, p. 55.

Reference & Research Book News, November 2006, review of For the Prevention of Cruelty.

ONLINE

Animals & Society Institute Web site,http://www.animalsandsociety.org/ (July 1, 2007), "2006 Conference Speakers: Diane Beers."

Holyoke Community College Web site,http://www.hcc.mass.edu/ (July 1, 2007), "Meet Professor Diane Beers."

Satya Magazine,http://www.satyamag.com/ (July 1, 2007), Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, "Know Your History."

Temple University, Department of History Web site,http://www.temple.edu/history/ (July 1, 2007), "Department News."