I would call this book a brief introduction to the domesticated pig. It has lots of photos, but all in black and white, a strike against it, in my opinion.
It discusses the origins of the domesticated pig and its temperament and the benefits it provides for humanity and not just as delicious food. It also gives brief descriptions of the various commercial breeds of swine.
Clearly the author really appreciates and admires pigs which he claims are not the messy smelly critters they have been portrayed to be. He even says pigs are the smartest domesticated animal, smarter even than dogs, citing a five-year research program at the University of Kentucky which found that:
"...pigs not only are the smartest of all farm animals, but also are more intelligent than dogs, mastering any trick of feat accomplished by canines in much shorter time."
The author also quotes naturalist W.H. Hudson on the innate quality of swine:
"The pig is not suspicious, or shrinkingly submissive, like horses, cattle and sheep; nor an impudent devil-may-care like the goat; nor hostile like the goose; nor condescending like the cat; nor a flattering parasite like the dog. The pig views us as fellow citizens and brothers, and takes it for granted that we understand his language."
So the book is a good, short introduction to the humble farm animal, the pig. But at only sixty-three pages it is only an introduction. It definitely paints pigs in a much kinder light than they are usually portrayed. It's just too bad none of the many photos are in color. That would have really improved what is basically a picture book. Although the blurb on the inside flap of the book cover calls it a "photo essay."
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