Event Description

For the first Animal Rights Book Club of 2026, we speak to Samual Baca-Henry about his book 'Lament of Hathor'. The book views animal rights through a unique lens!

Samuel Baca-Henry's debut book, Lament of Hathor, offers a unique perspective on animal rights & liberation, drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian and adjacent Bronze Age cultural mythologies, archaeology, history, geopolitics, economics, power, oppression, and resistance.

The book centers on Hathor, an Egyptian cow goddess associated with motherhood, love, healing, magic, dance, and music.

She laments the exploitation of animals, particularly cows. She is joined by cow goddesses/gods, sacred cows, and prophets from several other cultures, religions, and literary traditions (e.g. Kamadhenu, Goshorun, Nanshe, Manu, Zechariah, Amos, Zoroaster, Pythagoras, Asoka, and many more).

Baca-Henry's narrative weaves together lamentations, proverbs, historical and literary references, and messages for today and all time. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the interconnectedness of human and animal suffering.

The book challenges readers to see the historical roots of human and non-human oppression and an ancient lineage of resistance.

Lament of Hathor's unique blend of mythology, history, and social justice themes offers a fresh perspective on animal rights.