Other editions of book Beautiful Joe An Autobiography - Scholar's Choice Edition

First published in 1893 as a children's book to encourage the humane treatment of animals, Beautiful Joe has taken it's place along with Black Beauty, becoming a favorite of several generations of youngsters. Beautiful Joe narrates the story of his mutilation at the hands of a cruel master and the love he finds in the home of a caring family full of kids and animals. Joe speaks not only for himself, but also for Jim the spaniel, Malta the cat, Davey the rat, Bella the parrot, and his other furry and feathered friends as they interact with humans, good and bad. Today this book would probably be of more intetest to adults then children, but Beautiful Joe is a beautiful story.

Beautifully illustrated by Milena Vitorovic, this edition of Beautiful Joe includes black and white drawings of:* Beautiful Joe's mother with her litter of puppies* The cruel milkman and his unhappy cows* The kind Laura taking care of Beautiful Joe after his injury* Billy the puppy, Malta the cat, and the collie (all good friends of Beautiful Joe)* Beautiful Joe as a portrait, barking at a crow, listening to the parrot Bella, and more.Published in 1893, Beautiful Joe was the first Canadian book to sell a million copies. A dog rescue and adoption classic, it was extremely popular in America as well, selling almost a million copies by 1900. Told from the dog’s point of view, Beautiful Joe is based upon the true story of an abused dog (in the tradition of 1877’s Black Beauty). It reflects many of the unfortunate realities of society in those days, but it had an incredible impact upon the Western world’s ideas about humane treatment of animals. Interestingly, it is still published with the author listed as Marshall Saunders. In fact, it was written by Margaret Marshall Saunders, and published using her middle name since it was felt that no one would want to buy a book written by a woman. (She was in fact the first woman to write a book which sold a million copies!) Every animal shelter and rescue organization in America and Canada owes a debt to Beautiful Joe.

A work of fiction told from the dog's point of view, This story is based upon the true account of an abused dog. It is written in the tradition of 1877's Black Beauty. It reflects many of the unfortunate realities of society in those days, but it had an incredible impact upon the Western world's ideas about humane treatment of animals. A must for all parents who want their kids to grow up being thoughtful of their pets. It demonstrates the horror of abuse and the hope of overcoming evil and finding good in life. Illustrated

Published in 1893, Beautiful Joe was the first Canadian book to sell a million copies and was extremely popular in America, too (selling almost a million copies by 1900). A work of fiction told from the dog's point of view, it is based upon the true story of an abused dog (in the tradition of 1877's Black Beauty). It reflects many of the unfortunate realities of society in those days, but it had an incredible impact upon the Western world's ideas about humane treatment of animals. Interestingly, it is still published with the author listed as Marshall Saunders. In fact, it was written by Margaret Marshall Saunders, and published using her middle name since it was felt that no one would want to buy a book written by a woman. (She was in fact the first woman to write a book which sold a million copies!) Every animal shelter and rescue organization in America and Canada owes a debt to Beautiful Joe.

Beautiful Joe, a mongrel dog, was cruelly mutilated by his maser and through pure good fortune was brought to the Morrisses - to Miss Laura - who nursed him back to health. This tale of tender devotion between a dog and his owners is a timeless classic that brought Halifax writer Margaret Marshall Saunders much acclaim. At the time of her death in 1947 she was described as 'Canada's Most Revered Writer.' Marshall Saunders "Beautiful Joe" (1893) is a remarkable classic exploring issues of animal cruelty told from the point of view of one dog, Joe. This work was an instant success upon its release in Canada, becoming the first book to sell over a million copies in that country. Written as a kind of dog's autobiography, the work was innovative in its narrative technique. Often compared to Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty", the novel tracks the true story of a terrier in Maine named Joe. As Joe tells his story, the reader quickly meets his cruel owner Jenkins. Jenkins mistreatment grows more intense over time. The reader develops a deep sympathy for Joe and his canine counterparts on account of its narrative point of view. Joe's journey through abuse towards being rescued is a harrowing account not to be missed by the animal lover.

Excerpt: ...up than I usually do. During the first hymn I happened to strike Piggy against the side of the seat. Such an ear-splitting squeal as he set up. It sounded as if I was murdering him. The people stared and stared, and I had to leave the church, overwhelmed with confusion." Mrs. Wood and Miss Laura laughed, and then they got talking about other matters that were not interesting to me, so I did not listen. But I kept close to Miss Laura, for I was afraid that green thing might hurt her. I wondered very much what its name was. I don't think I should have feared it so much if I had known what it was. "There's something the matter with Joe," said Miss Laura, when we got into the lane. "What is it, dear old fellow?" She put down her little hand, and I licked it, and wished so much that I could speak. Sometimes I wish very much that I had the gift of speech, and then at other times I see how little it would profit me, and how many foolish things I should often say. And I don't believe human beings would love animals as well, if they could speak. When we reached the house, we got a joyful surprise. There was a trunk standing on the veranda, and as soon as Mrs. Wood saw it, she gave a little shriek: "My dear boy!" Mr. Harry was there, sure enough, and stepped out through the open door. He took his mother in his arms and kissed her, then he shook hands with Miss Laura and Mr. Maxwell, who seemed to be an old friend of his. They all sat down on the veranda and talked, and I lay at Miss Laura's feet and looked at Mr. Harry. He was such a handsome young man, and had such a noble face. He was older and graver looking than when I saw him last, and he had a light, brown moustache that he did not have when he was in Fairport. He seemed very fond of his mother and of Miss Laura, and however grave his face might be when he was looking at Mr. Maxwell, it always lighted up when he turned to them. "What dog is that?" he said at last, with a puzzled face, and pointing to...

Beautiful Joe was a dog from the town of Meaford, Ontario, whose story inspired the bestselling 1893 novel Beautiful Joe, which contributed to worldwide awareness of animal cruelty. The real Beautiful Joe was an Airedale-type dog. He was medium-sized, brown, and described as likely being part bull terrier and part fox terrier. Saunders was so touched by Joe's story that she wrote a novel-length, fictionalized, autobiographical version of it.