Fox book cover

Fox by Martin Wallen Summary

Fox
Martin Wallen
3.59 (105 Reviews)
History
Society
Science
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Fox

Unmasking the fox: from Aristotle's "cold and earthy" villain to beloved trickster. Wallen's richly illustrated exploration challenges centuries of bias, revealing why this cunning shapeshifter captivates cultures worldwide. What makes us both fear and adore this misunderstood creature?

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Key takeaways

1

The Creature That Refuses to Be Defined

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What animal has been called both devil and deity, villain and gentleman, vermin and divine messenger? The fox occupies a singular position in human consciousness-neither fully wild nor remotely domesticated, neither hero nor villain in any simple sense. With 21 species scattered across continents, from the Arctic fox of frozen tundras to the fennec fox of scorching deserts, these creatures have thrived alongside humanity while maintaining an essential wildness that both fascinates and frustrates us. J.K. Rowling once revealed her Patronus is a fox, describing it as "mercurial, playful and impossible to catch"-a fitting metaphor for an animal that has infiltrated every corner of human culture yet slips through our attempts to truly understand it. Why do foxes occupy such contradictory spaces in our imagination? Perhaps because they mirror something uncomfortable in ourselves: the tension between civilization and instinct, between what we claim to be and what we secretly are.

2

The Beast That Science Couldn't Categorize

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From Devil to Gentleman: The Great Rehabilitation

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Tricksters, Shapeshifters, and Sacred Messengers

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The Hunt: Class Warfare in Red Coats

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The Commercial Fox: Profit in Pelts and Personalities

7

Why We Can't Tame the Fox - And Why That Matters

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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likes
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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