#### : Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants `Author:` `Availability:` > [!info] > ![[IMG_Rats.jpeg]] ## Summary Summary of Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants by Robert Sullivan The Book in a Nutshell: Robert Sullivan's Rats is not a traditional horror story or a simple pest control manual. It is a work of immersive, witty, and deeply researched narrative nonfiction that treats the rat with a gritty respect. Sullivan elevates the rat from a reviled pest to a fascinating and formidable mirror reflecting human civilization—our waste, our failures, our resilience, and the dark corners of our cities. Key Themes and Observations: 1. The Urban Explorer: Sullivan chooses a specific, grimy alley in New York City's financial district as his primary field site. Over the course of a year, he observes the rats there at night, much like a naturalist observing a wild species in its natural habitat. This alley, overflowing with garbage from restaurants and residences, is the perfect ecosystem for the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). 2. The Rat as a Reflection of Humanity: The central thesis is that the rat's existence is inextricably tied to our own. Where humans congregate and generate waste, rats thrive. Sullivan argues that the history of rats is, in many ways, a history of human settlement, sanitation (or lack thereof), and commerce. They have followed our trade routes, fed on our surpluses, and died from our plagues. 3. A Creature of Astonishing Adaptation: The book details the rat's incredible biology and behavior—its ability to squeeze through tiny holes, its relentless gnawing, its rapid reproduction, and its neophobic (fear of new things) nature that makes it so difficult to eradicate. Sullivan inspires a kind of awed terror at the animal's perfection for its niche. 4. The Human Characters: Sullivan doesn't just focus on the rats. He profiles the people who battle them: exterminators, sanitation workers, and scientists. These portraits add a layer of human drama and dark comedy to the narrative, highlighting the endless, almost philosophical war between humans and rats. 5. Historical and Cultural Depth: The book digresses into fascinating chapters on the history of rats, their role in spreading the Black Death, their use in labs, and their presence in popular culture. This places the humble alley rat within a grand, often terrifying, historical context. Conclusion: Sullivan’s book is a masterpiece of "bottom-up" history. By looking down at what we ignore and discard, he tells a profound story about the nature of cities themselves. He doesn't ask you to like rats, but he forces you to respect them as one of the most successful, resilient, and intelligent species to ever live alongside us. --- Honorary Mention: Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird by Andrew D. Blechman The Book in a Nutshell: Andrew Blechman's Pigeons is the perfect literary companion to Sullivan's Rats. It performs the same act of reclamation and respect for another urban creature we love to hate: the common pigeon, or rock dove. Blechman embarks on a journey to explore the various subcultures that still cherish the pigeon, from the fanciers who breed them for show to the racers who train them for high-stakes competitions. He delves into their incredible homing abilities, which made them war heroes and vital communication tools for centuries. However, like Sullivan, Blechman also examines why their image changed. He looks at how they became synonymous with filth and disease in modern cities, labeled as "flying rats." The book is a charming, curious, and often surprising effort to restore the pigeon's reputation, reminding us that our disdain is a recent phenomenon. Before we overlooked them, we revered them as symbols of peace, love, and sacredness. Why it's a Perfect Companion: Together, these two books form a brilliant diptych on urban wildlife. Sullivan gives us the denizen of the underworld, the creature of the alley and the sewer, while Blechman gives us the citizen of the sky, the creature of the ledge and the plaza. Both authors argue that the status of these animals is a direct consequence of human activity—our cities, our waste, and our changing values. They are not inherently "dirty" or "pests"; they are incredibly successful survivors in the world we built, and both deserve a much more nuanced and respectful understanding. ## Key Takeaways ## Quotes - ## Notes `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]]