Lucidly written and smartly designed, Shetland Breeds, 'Little Animals. . . Very Full of Spirit'—Ancient, Endangered & Adaptable explains the animals of the Shetland Islands, creatures that are small, hardy and good-natured, thanks to the twin forces of natural selection and human intervention. The book reveals Shetland's noble legacy in its rich array of minor breeds—some of them endangered or extinct—which may be the most diverse anywhere. As a distinguished geneticist writes in his contribution to the multi-author title, "Shetland is the most prolific locality in the world in terms of indigenous domestic animal. Is there another place that boasts aboriginal breeds of horse, sheep, cattle and eponymous fowl?"

The authors, most of them Shetlanders plus two Scots, two Englishmen and an American, include the noted historian Andro Linklater and Lawrence Alderson, director emeritus of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. While the writers focus on the old breeds, their combined narrative carries a two-fold message: It celebrates a vital portion of the world's zoological heritage, and it champions the ancient agricultural assets of these most outlying British isles.

To open the reader's sojourn, Linklater surveys Shetland's past; to close it a breeder debates the status of the problematical Shetland pig. In between, experts offer detailed portraits of each of the celebrated domestic animals. Between chapters, interludes called "Island Views" widen the reader's appreciation of Shetland life and traditions. Shetland's live stocks are all the more precious today after foot-and-mouth disease devastated Britain's mainland farms in 2001. Might Shetland's breeds be saved by the very remoteness that allowed them to become unique? Could some undiscovered trait or gene have made these animals less susceptible to that plague? After the epidemic runs its course, may Shetland be a livestock bank to provide biological capital for mainland farms from its own endangered breed of cattle? These are some of the questions the book raises.

Lord Lamont, writes in the preface, "This beautiful book will be a real pleasure for people to read and to possess." The Lord Lieutenant of Shetland declares in the foreword, "Survival may become an issue for us [islanders worldwide] rather sooner than for the inhabitants of continents who think themselves immune from the great forces of nature. It would be a sad irony indeed were this book to become an epitaph for Shetland's native breeds."

This little volume is meant for readers who care variously about animals, livestock, rare breeds, agriculture, travel, Britain, etc.—for those committed to any one of those topics as well as to neophytes who didn't know they'd be captivated until they picked up the book. Illustrated with a virtual portfolio of antique photographs, it is a charming medley, a sampler, an appreciation of denizens in situ and of the situ itself.

For the conservationist Shetland Breeds… is pure delight. The Shetland Islands provide a perfect laboratory for demonstrating the concept of breed development and adaptation. The voices of the Islanders are especially compelling as they narrate the history of the partnership with their farm animals, their adaptation to a challenging environment, their persistence, their changes, and in some cases their disappearance. This is a great case study for anyone wanting to better understand domestication and breed adaptation.

This is a delightful book about the uniquely delightful animals kept and developed by a delightful people in a uniquely delightful place. All readers with any interest at all in rare breeds, regional culture or history will enjoy it. . . . The book and all its chapters is fascinating reading and everywhere the love of the animals and the place shines through. . . . I cannot recommend this little book more highly to all. . . with even a passing interest in any aspect of agriculture.

I had a hard time putting Shetland Breeds. . . down, as I wanted to learn more, and did with each turn of a page. . . . The photographs are an extra treat. . . . I was immediately drawn to Shetland Breeds. . . but then the book itself is Shetland shape—short in height and comfortable in the hand. It is also very full of spirit, containing dialogues with Shetlanders and lively essays contributed by experts in many fields. The book is a delight to read and this being said by one who really doesn't like to read history books.