This book deals with one of the most important issues facing modern man: the threat posed to humanism by various so-called progressive movements. This is part of Ferry's ongoing project to expose the illiberal consequences of what is regularly called post-modernity. (See his book on the Sixties as an essay on anti-humanism, and his statement on why he is not a Nietzschean). Some of the practical issues discussed are the crucial distinctions between conservation and radical environmentalism; between anti-cruelty and animal rights. The link between fascism in its most anti-humanist incarnation (Nazism) and "animal rights" should be studied - once animals have the rights of man, man is placed on par with animals. It is no coincidence those carted off to Auschwitz and the eastern camps were sent in cattle cars. These chapters on Nazi animal rights legislation, and the other progressive initiatives of that regime, is fascinating and important especially in light of contemporary European tendencies like the great ape project, support for euthanasia and other progressive ideas - like smoking bans. This is one of the best popular books around to explain the formal and theoretical connection between these seemingly unrelated ideas.