Joe Strike Bücher

Furry fandom is a recent phenomenon, but anthropomorphism is an instinct hard-wired into the human mind: the desire to see animals on a more equal footing with people. It's existed since the beginning of time in prehistoric cave paintings, ancient gods and tribal rituals. It lives on today--not just in the sports mascots and cartoon characters we see everywhere, but in stage plays, art galleries, serious literature, performance art--and among furry fans who bring their make-believe characters to life digitally, on paper, or in the carefully crafted fursuits they wear to become the animals of their imagination. In Furry Nation, author Joe Strike shares the very human story of the people who created furry fandom, the many forms it takes--from the joyfully public to the deeply personal--and how Furry transformed his own life

From a veteran fur comes an immersive entry into the world of furry fandom, with an inside look at an amazing subculture, the timeless human instinct to identify with animals, and color images of furry costumes, art, and conventions. Furs are the creative subculture of people who identify with animals. You can find them at furry conventions, furfests, around the world—tens of thousands of people donning their most elaborate fursuit. In costume, at conventions, with friends or alone, furries unleash the animal within, letting their inner beasts roar and their inner cats purr, aware of the power—and joy—to be found in bringing forward one’s animal side and encouraging others to do the same. In Furry Planet , long-time furry Joe Strike dives deep into this compelling subculture to share its appeal and rewards. Strike and a wealth of interviewees trace the history of the subculture and its various iterations today, in the process covering conventions, media, art, storytelling, community resources, costume creation, and advice for newcomers, and addressing stigmas and misconceptions head on. An unprecedented in-depth guide, Furry Planet is sure to inform and delight the ever-growing furry fandom and anyone who has ever been curious about it. Inside you’ll