Book excerpt: From a veteran fur comes an immersive entry into the world of furry fandom, with an inside look at an amazing subculture, the timeless human instinct to identify with animals, and color images of furry costumes, art, and conventions. Furs are the creative subculture of people who identify with animals. You can find them at furry conventions, furfests, around the world—tens of thousands of people donning their most elaborate fursuit. In costume, at conventions, with friends or alone, furries unleash the animal within, letting their inner beasts roar and their inner cats purr, aware of the power—and joy—to be found in bringing forward one’s animal side and encouraging others to do the same. In Furry Planet, long-time furry Joe Strike dives deep into this compelling subculture to share its appeal and rewards. Strike and a wealth of interviewees trace the history of the subculture and its various iterations today, in the process covering conventions, media, art, storytelling, community resources, costume creation, and advice for newcomers, and addressing stigmas and misconceptions head on. An unprecedented in-depth guide, Furry Planet is sure to inform and delight the ever-growing furry fandom and anyone who has ever been curious about it. Inside you’ll find: Insight into the natural human impulse to anthropomorphize animals A fascinating history of furry fandom A detailed look at furcons around the world Inspiration for fursuit costume creation Color images of costumes, art, and conventions Much more!