New Book Release – Radical Animal Studies: Beyond Respectability Politics, Opportunism, and Cooptation – edited by Anthony J. Nocella II and Kim Socha (2021)

New Book Release – Radical Animal Studies: Beyond Respectability Politics, Opportunism, and Cooptation – edited by Anthony J. Nocella II and Kim Socha (2021)

Radial Animal Studies: Beyond Respectability Politics, Opportunism, and Cooptation is a scholar-activist book emerging out of the field of Critical Animal Studies (CAS). Radical Animal Studies (RAS) edited by Anthony J. Nocella II and Kim Socha recognizes and values the goal of total liberation and the importance of underground revolutionary direct action. RAS is a complement to, not in conflict with, CAS. Indeed, RAS is dedicated to two of the ten CAS principles: seven (total liberation) and nine (radical politics and strategies). This book is an essential read for social justice community organizers, animal liberation activists, and intersectional total liberation scholars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Radical Animal Studies: Beyond Respectability Politics, Opportunism, and Cooptation takes the time to reflect on the personal stories of this liberation movement. Without these reflections and stories we end up glossing over and ignoring the pain, the anger, and potentially the most important part, being able to truly see each other in this struggle.” –Jason Bayless, Author, A Radical Guide, www.radical-guide.com

“I would recommend this book to any individual who is willing to candidly reflect on their role as accomplices in perpetuating predatory capitalism and their urgent need to subvert the violence of neoliberalism and its trajectory towards appropriation.” –Arash Daneshzadeh, Editor, Transformative Justice Journal

“In recent years, the importance of social movements has become more of an important part of advancing critical animal studies toward what Socha and Nocella propose as radical animal studies. Radical Animal Studies: Beyond Respectability Politics, Opportunism, and Cooptation offers a timely collection of thoughtful essays that center diversity in activist-scholarship and teach of the importance of radical theory and action through (and with) social movements that include animal liberation together with social justice.” –Johnny Lupinacci, Associate Professor, Cultural Studies and Social Thought in Education, Washington State University

“This book is so fundamentally necessary in a time in which diversity politics is conflated with transformation.” –Marisol Burgueno, Poetry Behind the Walls

“This important book affords animal liberation scholars and activists an opportunity to move beyond traditional liberal conceptions of animal rights theory and practice. Readers will learn how ‘radical’ and ‘radicalism’ are not dirty words, but rather essential means through which to achieve the total liberation of species. It should be considered an essential reading in critical animal studies.” –S. Marek Muller, Florida Atlantic University; Author, Impersonating Animals: Rhetoric, Ecofeminism, and Animal Rights Law

“This timely book offers up important insights, distinctions, and analyses for the theory and practice for animal liberation, but also for social movements in general. Anyone serious about radical social change should read and discuss this book. It will improve your push for a better world!” –Jason Del Gandio, Author, Rhetoric for Radicals: A Handbook for 21st Century Activists

About the Author

Anthony J. Nocella II, Ph.D., international total liberation scholar-activist, is Assistant Professor of Criminology at Salt Lake Community College, Director of Save the Kids, and Executive Director of the Institute for Critical Animal Studies. He had published over forty books and co-founded six journals and five book series.

Kim Socha, Ph.D., is author of Animal Liberation and Atheism: Dismantling the Procrustean Bed and is employed as a social emergency response worker for those facing family violence, housing instability, addiction, and mental health crises.