The Secret Life of Cows

by Rosamund Young
The Secret Life of Cows cover
Good Books rating 4.12
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 5196
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
litcritpop.com · Unknown · 2020-01-03
enlightening 4.50

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a charming and insightful account of bovine behavior, revealing the intelligence, emotions, and social structures of cows. Young's personal experiences as a farmer provide a unique perspective on the lives of these animals, highlighting their individual personalities and the importance of treating them with kindness and respect.

Rosamund Young's The Secret Life of Cows is a delightful and enlightening exploration of the lives of cows, based on her experiences as a farmer. The book reveals the complex social structures, emotions, and intelligence of these animals, challenging the common perception of cows as simple creatures. Young's anecdotes and observations highlight the individual personalities of her cows, their friendships, and their ability to communicate and problem-solve. The book also emphasizes the importance of providing cows with ample food, shelter, and freedom to roam, as well as the value of treating them with kindness and respect. While Young's approach is personal and anecdotal, it complements the scientific work of researchers like Temple Grandin and offers a gentle but urgent message about animal dignity. The book may not convert readers to veganism, but it will certainly change their perspective on the lives of cows and the importance of treating them with compassion.

Quick quotes

    Cows form very close bonds, often with fellow calves of similar age. They communicate emotions and needs, grieve, babysit, medicate themselves when necessary, favor certain people over others, and exhibit numerous quirks.

    Young grooms her charges to comfort them, removes stones from their hooves, caters to their individual food preferences.

    Young anthropomorphizes, to be sure. Yet her extreme empathy with her subjects feels convincing and authentic.

vogue.com · Unknown · 2018-06-15
intriguing 4.00

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young explores the complex and human-like behaviors of cows, challenging the notion of herd mentality. Young's anecdotal evidence and anthropomorphic descriptions highlight the individuality and emotional depth of these animals, making a compelling case for their unique personalities and social structures.

Rosamund Young's The Secret Life of Cows offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of cows, portraying them as individuals with rich emotional and social lives. Young, an organic farmer, shares her observations of cows forming deep friendships, nurturing their young, and exhibiting a range of emotions from joy to grief. Her anthropomorphic approach is not just whimsical but serves a purpose: to challenge the conventional view of cows as mere livestock and to advocate for their humane treatment. The book is filled with compelling anecdotes that illustrate the cows' unique personalities and behaviors, from their playful antics to their complex social interactions. Young's writing is engaging and thought-provoking, inviting readers to reconsider their perceptions of these often-overlooked animals. While the evidence is anecdotal rather than scientific, the stories are compelling and offer a fresh perspective on the inner lives of cows. The book's reissue is timely, aligning with a growing interest in nature writing that explores the inner lives of animals and advocates for their well-being.

Quick quotes

    Cows are 'besotted' by and 'dote on' their newborns, and nurture and counsel them as they grow up.

    They form 'devoted and inseparable' friendships with their peers.

    Every cow must be seen as unique.

faber.co.uk · Unknown · 2018-06-07
charming 4.50

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a charming and insightful book that delves into the individual personalities and behaviors of cows on Kite’s Nest Farm. The author's observations highlight the importance of treating farm animals with love, patience, and respect, offering a compelling case for organic farming and animal rights.

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a delightful and heartwarming book that offers a unique perspective on the lives of cows. The author, who is a pioneer in the organic farming world, shares her observations and experiences from Kite’s Nest Farm, where she and her family have been raising cows, sheep, hens, and pigs for over forty years. The book is filled with charming stories and insights into the individual personalities and behaviors of the cows, who are treated as unique individuals with their own names and characteristics. Young’s writing style is conversational and engaging, making the book feel like a personal conversation with a friend. The book also makes a strong case for the importance of treating farm animals with love, patience, and respect, and offers a compelling argument for organic farming and animal rights. The illustrations by Anna Koska add a touch of whimsy and charm to the book, making it a delightful read for anyone who loves animals and nature.

Quick quotes

    Whenever you need to feel charmed by a world of human kindness, reach for this little gem of a book.

    Friendships matter in the world of cows who make lifelong ones and even when separated for a while still recognize each other.

    The continuous narrative, broken up only by subheadings not chapters, creates a sense of connectedness (and less “cumbersome”) expressing a philosophy of raising farm animals the way we expect all children should be.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2017-10-28
charming 3.50

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young offers charming anecdotes about the individual personalities of cows, making it a blissfully relaxing read. However, the narrative could have benefited from tighter editing to better connect the short notes.

Rosamund Young's The Secret Life of Cows provides a delightful glimpse into the lives of cows on her farm, highlighting their unique personalities and social behaviors. The book is filled with charming stories, such as cows holding grudges and forming friendships, which make it a relaxing and enjoyable read. Young's approach of naming her cows and including a genealogical tree helps readers keep track of the various cow family members, although the lack of chronological order can sometimes be confusing. The anecdotes about other farm animals, like the chicken who lost a leg and was cared for by her friends, add to the book's charm. However, the narrative would have benefited from more editorial intervention to better link the short notes together. Additionally, Young's beliefs in cow homeopathy and her hint against vaccinations are somewhat puzzling, given the importance of vaccinations in preventing antibiotic resistance.

Quick quotes

    The anecdotes are charming, and the book itself is blissfully relaxing.

    That said, I do think the narrative would have benefitted from a tighter editorial intervention.

    My one grudge is that Young not only seems to believe in cow homeopathy (like Prince Charles), but she gives a hint that she is against vaccinations — which is strange.

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