True Tails

J.H. Soeder
Art Universe Books (2010)
ISBN 9780971961777
Reviewed by Marissa Libbit for Reader Views (1/11)


“True Tails” by J.H. Soeder is a collection of experiences held by the author.  From a young age he recognized a unique ability to communicate with animals.  Hearing the animals speak in his mind, he could carry on conversations with them, putting them at ease.  For example, he could get seagulls to take food from his hand, convince a wolf spider to allow him to transport him to safety, rescue a lizard, and run with a horse.  The author claimed to never exploit these abilities but simply to appreciate them and learn from the animals which he encountered.  For example, he believes the whales taught him that he was never truly alone, that all life is intertwined.

I must confess that I was quite the skeptic when I read the introduction.  People hearing the thoughts of animals?  And animals being able to hear the thoughts of this human in such a way that the two species could carry on a conversation?  However, I am but one person with one set of life experiences, so far be it from me to judge the experiences of another.  I suppose most anything is possible.  What a beautiful relationship the author seemed to gain from his communications with animals!  The fact that he is not using this uniqueness for some sort of financial gain but rather to educate the reader about what may be possible if we take the time to appreciate the life around us makes this book easier to accept as well.  I doubt that I will ever hear animals speak to me, but I do know through my own pets that humans can communicate with animals in a way in which they understand.

“True Tails” comes nicely packaged with a box that when opened, makes whale sounds.  I recommend “True Tails” to those that can suspend their own common sense experiences to open themselves to possibilities that if we were more still in our lives, we might  be able to relate more positively with animals and maybe even hear them, too. 

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