Humans have used the goat as a symbol for thousands of years and have given it a place in myth and legend; in recent times, images of goats are found everywhere from beer labels to heavy metal art. At the same time, the goat also remains a simple farm animal. From ancient myths to pop culture to profiles of domestic breeds, Extraordinary Goats explores the many facets of the goat. Goats are useful for their milk, their fur, and their meat, and they don't need a lot of acreage to be happy - in fact, they're known as the poor man's cow. But that's not why they're fascinating. Goats have personality. They can be friendly, angry, pensive, cranky, or curious; they can be your best friend or a thorn in your side. They can drive you crazy and make you laugh—or cry. Join longtime goat lover, farmer, author, teacher, and cheesemaker Janet Hurst on a light-hearted journey through the goat world, as she introduces the reader to these remarkable animals. Extraordinary Goats is chock full of historical illustrations and modern photos of goats doing what goats do riding motorcycles, climbing trees, chewing, singing, and being adorably irascible. If you own a goat, or long to, you'll want Extraordinary Goats on your shelf.

Janet Hurst has been a home artisanal cheesemaker for twenty years and is a certified cheesemaker through the University of Vermont's Institute of Artisan Cheese. She writes on cheesemaking for Mother Earth News, Mary Jane's Farm, Dairy Goat Journal, Countryside, and more.