For thousands of years, rats have been given a bad rap. In our culture, rats are seen as dirty, vicious, and cunning creatures (Templeton from Charlotte’s Web comes to mind), but are they really? According to Albert Marrin, author of Oh, Rats, rats are, in fact, clean, extremely intelligent and, when not threatened, very friendly and docile. Although they have been responsible for transporting disease and consuming our food, rats have proven themselves to be useful to humans time and again. We may even owe our lives to them.

If you’re not squeamish, then read Oh, Rats! The Story of Rats and People, to find out more about our misunderstood fellow mammal.