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Jane Goodall is the most famous primatologist, possibly the most famous field biologist, of the 20th century. Her chimpanzee research did more to increase human knowledge of the lives of our closest relatives than that of any other scientist. It's in large part due to her example that primatology is the closest thing to a female-dominated science.

But in 1986 Goodall gave up fieldwork for a higher, more pressing calling: rescuing chimpanzees from inhumane conditions in captivity and preserving the species from extinction. Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe is a pictorial tribute to her life, her studies of the chimpanzees, and her unflagging efforts to motivate human beings on their behalf.

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." Goodall began her research by giving the chimpanzees names, by observing them as nonhuman individuals. Her activism is directed toward the human individuals: scientists who use apes in research, Africans who live near wild apes, children in Africa and in the industrialized world who can learn to value other creatures for themselves. Goodall says of this last project that "I think Roots & Shoots is probably the reason I came into the world. Yet I couldn't have done it without all those years with the chimpanzees and an understanding that led to a blurring of the line between 'man' and 'beasts.'" --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent tribute to Goodall's life and work
_____I bought this book for my girlfriend, who is a huge fan of Jane Goodall. But I find myself picking it up and reading through it a lot. This book is an excellent read, for the casual animal lover as well as those with a deep interest in primatology.

_____The book covers much of Jane Goodall's life, including biographical info, historical research milestones, and even those special moments that make Goodall the concerned activist she is. It has well-written text and beautiful, high-quality photos. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Jane Goodall, especially those who do not know much about her and would like a starter reference book.

A Worthy Devotion to an amazing Woman!
At 14, I admire and sulute Ms. Goodall! Her work and devotion to some the most fascinating of animals is absolutely stunning! I think that over her 40 wonderful at Gombe, she has developed a beautiful relationship with these animals, and you can definetely see and feel their love with this book! Everyone who has ever read her dazzling books or has any knowledge or admiration for Jane's hard and unmistakably hard work will enjoy this timeline of a stunning woman's life in Africa! Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

Demonstrates that the earliest humans evolved not as hunters but as prey species, based on evidence from fossil and living primates

Although "Man the Hunter" is a popular description of our ancestry, the central importance of hunting is firmly fixed only in the archeological record of relatively recent human history. Man the Hunted argues that primates, including the earliest members of the human family, have evolved not as hunters but as the prey of any number of predators, including wild cats and dogs, hyenas, snakes, crocodiles, and even birds of prey. Eyewitness accounts, data collected by the authors, and the published reports of naturalists establish the astonishing extent to which living monkeys, lemurs, apes, and even humans fall victim to a wide variety of predators, some of which even specialize in the consumption of primates. Additionally, the fossil record demonstrates that primates have been prey for millions of years, a fact that necessarily shaped the evolution of our earliest ancestors in body and behavior. Skillfully combining information from a number of lines of evidence, Man the Hunted casts an entirely new light on the natural history of primates and the evolution of fossil and modern humans. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Author interview on WAER Syracuse 88.3 FM 7/29 at 8 p.m.
Dawn Prince-Hughes will be interviewed on "Women's Voices Radio," on WAER Syracuse 88.3 FM on 7/29 at 8 p.m., along with novelist Kates Niles (THE BASKET MAKER) & essayist Nan Levinson (OUTSPOKEN). WAER does not archive its programming but this show is accessible by web-streaming during the broadcast at www.WAER.org.

heartwarming and enlightening
'Songs of the Gorilla Nation' is an autobiography by Dawn Prince Hughes, an interdisciplinary anthropologist who has lived with the hardships of Asperger's Syndrome which is a unique version of autism.

This is a very humane book and should hopefully open up the minds of many to be more empathetic to the plight of those experiencing autism & of diffierent species.

Dawn always knew that she was different, unfortunately for her she never knew why she was different. She reveals her path to self-discovery.

Dawn gives the impression that what are normally instinctive social norms, such as smiling at appropriate times, or knowing when to disagree or agree, are entirely learned behaviors on her behalf. What is obvious for the normal person, she has to intellectually grasp, and learn to correctly apply that knowledge. This fortunately offers her a unique way of looking at the world.

Unlike others when she spends time and studies gorillas, Dawn sees not only the basics such as a silverback and a playful child, she can sense the individualities of each gorilla. She understands why a gorilla behaves a certain manner. She knows if the individual gorilla is being silly, threatening or displaying grief at the sickness of a family member.

With this understanding of Gorillas, Dawn is then capable of applying that knowledge to human behavior, and her own behavior in general. With this application she learns to better handle herself in public and to expand her understanding of the human condition.

Some of the other unique characteristics of this book involve how she views the world. One of the better explanations is that autism provides an overload of the senses. Most people have filters that block out unnecessary information. Our senses are better capable of focusing or disregarding some irrelevant sense, touch, sight, or smell. With autism we get the impression that Dawn cannot prevent all these senses from overloading her brain. Since we dont actively think about all of the filters that we do have it's difficult for most people to understand how she feels.

This book should be mandatory reading for psychologists or anyone teaching. A lot of the problems Dawn encountered as a child could have been avoided if only some simple humanity and understanding had been applied. This is especially true when we read about how one of her teachers treated her.

Hopefully this book will enlighten people on what autism is, and about the fact that apes and animals in general each have their own unique personalities.

A fantastic book
Frankly, I didn't expect to be as touched by this book as I was. For some reason it simply blew me away. Let me start out by saying that I don't have, nor do I know anyone who is autistic or has Asperber Syndrome (I realize that the definitions are sketchy). That said, I still found this book riveting and above all, moving. Another reviewer recommended another book--a work of fiction really--dealing with a child who is autistic/Asperger/DID in some manner and I found that one equally riveting: "Bark of the Dogwood." It too was a great read, though very disturbing--not for the faint-hearted. But "Songs of the Gorilla Nation" just left me breathless. Thank God Dawn Prince-Hughes had the courage she did, not only to live her life, but to tell us about it in this highly unusual read.

Songs of the Gorilla Nation
This deep thinking book is about a woman who has a form of autism, Asperger's Syndrome. The author combines anthropology, autism and study of gorillas into a finely tuned view of how an autistic person deals with their unique individuality. An excellent nonfiction book for anyone interested in autism.

A wondrous book
What a wondrous book! I felt like I was getting a bonus- learning in depth about autism (which I expected) -and learning about the complex world of gorillas -which was a fascinating surprise. In the midst of learning, I laughed out loud and later grieved along with the author when her beloved primate friend Congo died.

If anyone still doubts that people on the autistic spectrum are capable of humor, empathy, and a rich emotional life, this book should put the idea to rest. While she was frequently unable to express her innner world due to fear, being immobilized by overstimulation, lack of skills that she would later learn, or personal depths she would later develop, Dawn Prince-Hughes in fact draws us in with precisely those qualities.

The author was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome in her thirties. She gives us detailed insight into what it means to be on the autistic spectrum - what it means in terms of processing information, enduring ignorance of teachers and classmates, finding a place in the world, and learning to love.

Dawn dropped out of high school after she was no longer able to suffer the abuse and humiliation. She was already drinking to quell her anxiety and frustration. She had no money,no job, and no home. She ended up homeless and later in the unlikely world of erotic dancing, where once again, she just didn't fit the mold. I could only imagine the befuddlement and disappointment of men as they watched this new dancer in body paint imitating wild animal movements and sounds!

Dawn found her spiritual home in the presence of gorillas at her local zoo. Sitting quietly for hours on end, she made connections with the primates that were unlike those she had ever achieved with people. She began to access emotions and to experience relationships of mutual understanding and reciprocal communication.

Reading her descriptions of the worlds of Congo, Nina, Pete, Zuri, Alafia, and the others, I found my views of gorillas and other primates tested and expanded. The implications of her work and observations are immense.

This is an inspiring and thought provoking book. It challenges typical descriptions of autism and it challenges typical descriptions of primates.

Read it, enjoy it, and be enlightened. ... Read more

Book Description

"I had never planned to become a savanna baboon when I grew up; instead, I had always assumed I would become a mountain gorilla," writes Robert Sapolsky in this witty and riveting chronicle of a scientist's coming-of-age in remote Africa.

An exhilarating account of Sapolsky's twenty-one-year study of a troop of rambunctious baboons in Kenya, A Primate's Memoir interweaves serious scientific observations with wry commentary about the challenges and pleasures of living in the wilds of the Serengeti -- for man and beast alike. Over two decades, Sapolsky survives culinary atrocities, gunpoint encounters, and a surreal kidnapping, while witnessing the encroachment of the tourist mentality on the farthest vestiges of unspoiled Africa. As he conducts unprecedented physiological research on wild primates, he becomes evermore enamored of his subjects -- unique and compelling characters in their own right -- and he returns to them summer after summer, until tragedy finally prevents him.

By turns hilarious and poignant, A Primate's Memoir is a magnum opus from one of our foremost science writers. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Gets my vote for best nonfiction of the year
When a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" decides to write about his work for the general public, it's a good idea to pay attention, especially when the author already has a reputation for being as entertaining a storyteller as neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky. This book could not be improved upon. Part travel adventure, part coming of age story of a young scientist, and part life among the baboons, A Primate's Memoir tells what happens as the author travels to Kenya at age 21 to study how the social rank of baboons winds up affecting their physiological stress levels. Sapolsky readily describes himself in primate terms "young transfer male" as he recounts his hilarious, poignant and truly harrowing encounters with the world around him, sharing his candid reactions to some pretty novel events. In the course of this book he does achieve "full adult status" and circumstances grow more serious. You just have to read it yourself as examples could not convey the genuine humanity and originality of his overall experience. How does social status affect one's stress levels? He gives a bit of the answer in this book, but if you want to know more about the science of stress, still told very much in layperson's terms, read The Trouble with Testosterone, (thought provoking and hilarious) or the more fact-filled (if potentially anxiety-arousing), Why Zebra's Don't Get Ulcers. These books could affect how you perceive the world

A Wonderful Read
Dr. Sapolsky mixes deep personal feelings, intimate recountings of his experiences, and hard science to tell the story of his lifelong work studying the baboons of Kenya. The result is illuminating and entertaining at the same time. As reader, you feel like you are getting the "straight skinny," albeit in a form that is always interesting, and often hilariously funny.

There is an apocryphal story going around that Thomas Mann's typist for Joseph and His Brothers said as he finished "So that's what really happened!" (Spolsky, by the way, is not a great fan of Mann -- more smartass hilarity here.) I sort of felt the same way upon finishing this: so that's what really happens with people (Diane Fossey, Laurence of the Hyenas) who go off to Africa to do science. Sapolsky does them all justice. Life is tough, complicated, and rife with compromises, and Sapolsky captures all of this his inimitable style.

This is a great book. Read it!

Laughs all the way plus insights to social behavior
I recently listened to this book on tape.
I receive it from the Handicpped Library in Pittsbuurgh, but use them while I am framing up my art work.
Robert has such insight to both the animals he loved as well as the social similar behavior of the Humans he interracted with while in Africa (and America!)
To listen to his description of the elephants with breasts like VOLKSWAGONS, add in the adventrues of Samwelli's house as the elephants ate it, then to finish off, as all of us who come to

live with & love animals.
We find their social behavior similar to our own no matter what motives we initially seek.
That Robert carries a photo of his favorite Baboon to this day, tells a lot about the love he established with the troop he followed.
I carry a portrait of my favotite, Labrador, Tristan, to this day and also know that regardless of the human-animal boundry, when you start to listen to them, you cannot forget the experience.
It made me laugh & cry , but more importantly as in all great Autobiograhpihes, gave me more insight to the Author as a person.
I LOVED it.

As Entertaining as Great Fiction
This has got to be one of the best books I've ever read, fiction or non-fiction. It is non-fiction, but Sapolsky's writing is so engrossing that the book is as entertaining to read as a great novel. It made me laugh and it made me cry, especially the ending.

I've travelled extensively and worked on relief and research projects in west Africa. I read a lot of books about that area (e.g., Peter Matthiesson's "Tree Where Man was Born"). "A Primate's Memoir" is (so far) my favorite. I've given it to dozens of friends.

Tears of laughter and heartbreak
You know a book is really good when you shed tears from both laughter and heartbreak. The author, a Stanford professor of biology and neurology and research associate at the Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, does just that without making you feel that you've been manipulated or set up.

A PRIMATE'S MEMOIR is part travelogue, part Jane Goodall-Diane Fossey communion with forest primates, and part field research in neurological behavior-related stress. Underlying all of these is the theme of a young, liberal Jewish boy form the Bronx coming-of-age in post-colonial East Africa. The book is as much about the peoples of Africa and contemporary cultural shifts as it is about his troop of baboons on the edge of the Serengeti.

Sapolsky is a natural story teller, the humorous ones told most often at his own expense. And even his behavioral observations and research findings are discussed as if the two of you are shooting the breeze over a pint of Guinness.

Where most field biologists avoid anything remotely anthropomorphic, Saplosky is so comfortable with himself as a scientist that he uses the best words he can muster to communicate to the reader whether they'd be approved by some learned academic committee or not. His language, befitting the bar where you and the author are downing pint after pint, is more Hemingway than scholarly.

Don't confuse Sapolsky's informality and naming-rather-than-numbering-his-study-subjects attitude as a sign that he is something less than a fully dedicated scientist. He makes this distinction perfectly clear in a chapter about Dianne Fossey, who in addition to being a substandard scientist in the author's opinion, was a threat to her own beloved apes. The low rating from the hand-full of animal lovers who submitted reviews is the only the reason that the overall rating for this book is 4.5 stars instead of a perfect 5.0! ... Read more

Book Description

For years, scientists and researchers have studied, speculated about, and searched for an enigmatic creature that is legendary in the annals of American folklore. Now, learn the truth about...

BIGFOOT!

In this fascinating and comprehensive look at the fact, fiction, and fable of the North American "Sasquatch," award-winning author Loren Coleman takes readers on a journey into America's biggest mystery -- could an unrecognized "ape" be living in our midst? Drawing on over forty years of investigations, interviews, and fieldwork on these incredible beasts, Coleman explores the modern debates about these powerful, ape-like creatures, why they have remained a mystery for so long, and what we can learn about ourselves from these animals, our nearest cousins!

From reports of Bigfoot's existence found in ancient Native American traditions, to the controversial Patterson-Gimlin film of a Bigfoot in the wild, to today's Internet sites that record the sightings almost as soon as they occur, Coleman uncovers the past, explains the present, and considers the future of one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in the natural world. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Bigfoot! : The True Story of Apes in America
For the hardcore researcher or the week end Bigfoot fan, this book is certainly the motherload! In my 40 some years of collecting books about cryptids, no one has come along quite like Loren Coleman. His style of writing is clear and even laced with a sense of humor on occasion. Mr. Coleman is second to none in how he gathers data and archives it into the wonderful books he writes. This one is no different in that it is the Bigfoot Bible.

While a few of the case studies have been written about before, Mr. Coleman has a much more vivid and easy moving style than ever before seen in their coverage. It's also interesting to see reports previously not addressed anywhere. It feels like he is actually talking with the reader rather than at them. There are only so many Bigfoot cases to cover and Mr. Coleman doesn't invent new ones in an attempt to be sensational. For those who want new pretend Bigfoot stories, I would suggest the National Enquirer or the internet.

Those who have never read Mr. Coleman's works will find this book to be the perfect jumping in point. A lifetime of passion and research shine through and there is a little bit of that magic feeling on every page: that feeling that brings out the awe of childhood. This book is perfectly orchestrated by Mr. Coleman in it's balance of hard facts and the presentation of a truly great sense of wonder. If given a choice of only one book on Bigfoot, this is clearly the hands down one I'd pick.

BIGFOOT -- the "latest" from one of the BEST!
Loren Coleman is, without a doubt, one of the BEST and most respected researchers/writers in the field of CRYPTOZOOLOGY
today! His "latest" work, BIGFOOT! (The True Story of Apes
in America) is among his very best and provides readers with
an overview of the chosen subject that brings us right up to
yesterday's newspaper (or pretty close to it). Coleman's book
is FUN to read (he has not lost his sense of humor about all of
this) and balances solid INFORMATION with a lively, entertaining
writing style. BOTH the general reader AND the Bigfoot
"expert" will find this to be a useful, readable, and FUN book!
NO doubt, there are some in the "Bigfoot community" who will
"snipe" at Mr. Coleman. Some will take issue with some of his
conclusions and some will criticize for spending too much time
on one subject and not enough on another etc. & etc. . . . BUT
overall it really is hard to find any significant fault with this
volume. Coleman has spent decades in research on this subject
and it shows in the comfortable manner in which he handles his
subject. Further, his tremendous skills as a writer are
abundantly evident in that we (the readers) ENJOY our reading
(and are NOT burdened with jargon and scientific mumbo jumbo).
BIGFOOT! is a FUN book to read and will provide ALL with
an EXCELLENT account of the current state of bigfoot research!
THANK YOU Loren Coleman your contributions to this field of
study are sincerely appreciated.

Profile of author
Look in the July 2004 issue of FHM - For Him Magazine for the Reporter profile of the guy that wrote this book, in a story called "I Track Bigfoot" on p. 30. Fun insights. Great book.

a very entertaining book
The book teaches you about NAPES,which is somthing I did not know about until i read this book. But if you are a veteran bigfoot reearcher, you really dont learn anything new in this book, the author even copied his text from his previous books into it, instead of adding new information. If i knew nothing about bigfoot, i would give this a five star rating, but i know a lot about the bigfoot mystery,and besides the NAPES, i didnt see anything special about this book. Loren Coleman's other books, such as the mothman or Mysterious America, are much more enjoyable books.

Important contribution to the study of Bigfoot
Loren Coleman has once again done a service to all who are interested in the subject of Bigfoot in particular and cryptozoology in general. This book is very readable, and accomplishes several worthy goals. It concisely summarizes and updates the field of "Sasquatchery", provides key historical evidence, and convincingly answers several important questions, such as "why hasn't anyone found a dead bigfoot". It also answered a personal question I had about the objectivity of Roger Patterson, the man who captured the best piece of bigfoot evidence to date, the Patterson-Gimlin film. The fact that Mr. Coleman doesn't shy away from controversial topics, such as "Sex and the Single Sasquatch", lends even more credibility to this natural phenomenon.
The only criticisms I have of the book are minor ones...I wish there had been more space dedicated to (and contact information for) the other Bigfoot researchers out there, some of whom have produced excellent books themselves, such as Thomas Steenburg, author of "In Search of Giants Bigfoot Sasquatch Encounters". Also, the book would have been even more helpful if the addresses of some of the most credible Bigfoot/cryptozoology websites were included in an appendix, such as those of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, the Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization, the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, etc.
Overall, this is a great book, both for those who know nothing about Bigfoot and for experts on the subject. Mr. Coleman has made a seminal contribution to the field. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Essays on our roots
The greatest scientific quest is finding our place in Nature. This leading primatologist has collected a series of essays on primate behaviour in an outstanding effort aimed at answering that question. De Waal's credentials as a student of chimpanzee behaviour are well-known. He's joined here by researchers of equal status in presenting the most recent findings in the field. De Waal states in the Introduction that research in human behaviour falls into two camps - human beings are an entirely unique species or human evolutionary roots are visible in many of our related species. He and his fellow essayists adhere to the second theme, the one that has gained significant adherence over the past several decades of research. "The proliferation of research on monkeys and apes . . . has influenced the way we look at our place in nature."

This collection brings to view much of that research, a compendium long overdue in de Waal's estimation. His team provides new insights into primate behaviour. They combine the research finding with speculations on how modern monkeys and apes reflect the evolutionary roots of our own relations with each other. The topics covered show the impact of environment, the patterns of sex and reproduction, social organization and cognition. The collection addresses the "process of hominization" leading from ape-like ancestors to modern humans. If all this sounds like a series of lofty scientific pedantry, fear not. All the authors present their information in open, conversational style. Although the result of a scholarly seminar, the writing throughout is clear and unpretentious. Anyone interested in their evolutionary roots or in the status of the research will find this collection rewarding.

The quality of this compilation makes choice of place difficult, if not impossible. Each author presents new information and delightful analyses of the importance of the findings. Craig Stanford discusses the role of meat eating [not hunting] in building social relationships. Studied closely in the field in both ape and human societies, meat distribution and sex have a clear evolutionary role. Richard Wrangham carries this theme a step further in his analysis of the social role of food preparation - cooking. He stresses how early cooking must have emerged in hominid evolution and what its likely social impact was in our development. Richard Byrne extends this analysis to describe several forms of food acquisition and processing among various primate species.

If any issue transcends the others in the role of humanity, it is that of human cognition. To those contending only human cognitive abilities are worth studying, several authors respond that "evolution does not proceed by inspired jumps . . . but by accretion of beneficial variants" over time. In order to comprehend the evolutionary path of cognition, definitions are of primary importance. Cognition is here defined as "a species' package of information-processing capabilities" encompassing individual, social, technical and other skills. Robin Dunbar shows how these skills were likely reinforced through selectively chosen group size. He examines variations in primate group size and how these impact social behavior. Charles Snowdon addresses the mainstay of human "uniqueness" in an outline of language
development. In the final essay, William McGrew considers the question of "culture." What is it and how was it derived? McGrew refers to eight criteria, developed many years ago by Alfred Koeber, and applies them in a historical context. McGrew emphasizes that humans are not the only social species. Language enhanced abilities inherited from our predecessors.

This book addresses older ideas and breaks new ground. With a strong foundation in the intensive primate studies achieved during the past three decades, the collection calls for further studies in the field. What these will bring to light will increase our knowledge of where we fit in Nature. There are assuredly many surprises remaining to be revealed. Will you help search for answers to some of these questions? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Love primates? BUY!
As a primate owner and caregiver, I can say that this book is a lovely addition to any primate enthusiast's collection! Simply beautiful. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Compelling observations
Frans de Waal is one of the most prominent primatologists writing about non-human primates today. Unlike Jane Goodall, who studies chimpanzees in the wild, de Waal observes captive chimp behavior at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Georgia. Although de Waal's strength lies in his ability to find echoes of human behavior in chimpanzee interactions (a stance that is still controversial in some circles), he is careful not to read absolutes into his observations. He is keenly aware that the species are not identical, only closely related.

CHIMPANZEE POLITICS begins by introducing the highly individualized personalities of the chimpanzees de Waal studied, and then progresses to specific examples of political behavior: power plays, diplomacy, perks at the various levels of the hierarchy, and the traits that give rise to this complicated chimpanzee social structure. Photographs, both black-and-white and color, serve to further document de Waal's observations. Although many people have made much of how this work illuminates human behavior, it is ultimately about chimps, not people.

This book was written for the layman, and its ease of reading makes it accessible to a wide range of readers. Highly readable and insightful, CHIMPANZEE POLITICS would make a strong addition to the libraries of those interested in the nature of primates, both human and non-human.

a survival guide for corporate america
excellent book. de waal's thesis, as i understand it, is finding and exposing analogies to human behavior among other animals in order to better understand human behavior (a thesis he extends in _good natured_ to show that our "animal" behaviors are also behaviors of kindness and compassion) _chimpanzee politics_ reads like a novel as it follows chronicles the group dynamics of a chimpanzee colony over several years; and in those group dynamics we see enough sex, scheming, and politics to fuel a soap opera or election campaign. the mirror that de waal holds up to us through this book is at once funny, fascinating, and humbling. if one reason you read novels is to appreciate the universality of the human condition (that is, that you like to live vicariously in other times or places to experience conditions as other humans do), then get this book and prepare yourself to appreciate just how universal much of our condition really is. you might be surprised at just how easily you vicariously experience life as chimpanzees do.

Recommended for lovers of nature and politics (human) alike
DeWaal deftly narrates three changes in leadership among the colony of chimps in a zoo in the Netherlands (not Yerkes in GA, as another reviewer claims). Unlike many animals, chimpanzees can not dominate one another by use of brute force. No chimp is so strong that a coalition of two other males (or a coalition of females) can not successfully challenge his dominate position. This means that the dominate (male) chimp can only remain dominate if he succedes in coalition building.

Each of the "coups" DeWaal describes took place either because the dominate male became too greedy, or because another male built a stronger coalition. Similarly, the dominant make needs the cooperation (or at least neutrality) of most of the (more numerous, but weaker individually) females of the colony.

The comparison to human politics is right on the money. While chimpanzee politics does not have the veneer of ideology that covers the nitty gritty of human politics, I strongly suspect that the type of favors, distribution of goodies, and raw sex that DeWaal describes as the "currency" of chimpanzee politics is much closer to the way human politicians actually operate than most of us would like to admit.

If a Martian were to observe the functioning of the U.S. Sentate--without being able to understand a word anyone says, but with the ability to observe every transaction, day and night, over a period of sereral years, I suspect that the Martian's description of our politics would read very similarly to that of DeWaal's. Of course, for all we know, chimps too have a "language" which permits them to cover what appears to us to be raw politics with "political platforms".

One final note--the chimp need for coalitions to maintain primacy has obvious conotations for international relations in our world, where ideology plays less of a role, and coalitions have, at least since the end of WWII, been the key to maintaining a stable heirarchy of nations. Is the US now in danger of becoming the over confident "alpha" male that DeWaals describes?

Reveals how human-like chimp behavior can be
This a a book that has gotten more attention for what people have said about it than for what is actually inside. Though there are some graphs and tables, don't let them scare you away: the text reads like a novel and certainly isn't overly technical or formally scientific. The story is a fascinating recollection principally about the sex and power struggles among a group of chimpanzees that lived in a zoo in the Netherlands in the mid 1970's.

Some have claimed that the author has advocated using the complexities of chimpanzee social structure to shed light on human politics, but, if anything, the exact opposite is true: de Waal says very little abut non-chimpanzee societies until the last chapter and, throughout the book, freely and unapologetically employs human intentions, actions, and emotions to shed light on chimp culture.

If you're prepared to cast aside any preconceived notions you may have, this book makes an enjoyable introduction to pop-sci primatology.

machiavellian intelligence
Chimps, it is said, are not able to perform cognitive tasks that a three-year-old human could master with ease. THis book shows how tricky it is to compare human and chimpanzee intelligence: the machiavellian chimpanzee princes in this gripping saga may not read or write, but appear to grasp the long-term consequences of their day-to-day activities, and plot deviously to gain power in the quicksand of shifting alliances. No three year old child has this kind of concentration and determination, to my knowledge! It makes for gripping reading, and raises fascinating questions about the evolution of our own intelligence, social hierarchies and power-seeking instincts. You'll want to read it again as soon as you've finished... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Review from The Quaterly Review of Biology (June 1998)
"Quite good...the papers present new data on important topics...a worthwhile contribution to the state of the art on New World Monkeys."

Adaptive Radiation of Neotropical Primates
Don't let the title scare you. Even readers who are interested in "neotropics" as a whole can appreciate the technical nature of this volume of work. A progressively written volume on primate behavior that will "fuel the mind" of the "budding primate enthusiest" and titilate the seasoned taste buds of researchers and scientist alike. A serious read for serious brains. The title sure did a major face lift to my expanding bookcase. ... Read more

Book Description

With her astounding beauty and enigmatic persona, Greta Garbo is the ultimate Hollywood icon. Though many books have tried to unlock the mystique of the "Swedish Sphinx" by focusing primarily on her personal life, Greta Garbo: A Cinematic Legacy is the first to pay serious attention to what made her an icon-her 24 Hollywood films.

Celebrating the centenary of her birth, the book draws extensively on interviews, letters, and newly accessible M-G-M production files to chronicle Garbo's career from her American debut in 1926 to her self-imposed retirement in 1941 at the height of her popularity. A wealth of film stills, production photographs, and portraits-many previously unpublished, all beautifully reproduced from pristine prints-combine with Mark Vieira's engrossing text to bring vividly to life the actress who inspired the critic Kenneth Tynan to declare: "What, when drunk, one sees in other women, one sees in Garbo sober." AUTHOR BIO: Mark A. Vieira is a photographer, film historian, and the author of Abrams' acclaimed Hurrell's Hollywood Portraits, Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood, and Hollywood Horror: From Gothic to Cosmic. He lives in Los Angeles. ... Read more

Book Description

Ever since Jane Goodall unlocked the mysteries of wild chimpanzees, and Dian Fossey lived among mountain gorillas, the world has been captivated by primates and the people who study them. Here, at last, is the riveting story of Birute Galdikas, a pioneering primatologist who has spent much of her life studying orangutans. In 1971, twenty-five-year-old Galdikas began living in the remote jungles of Indonesian Borneo, where she encountered menacing poachers, blood-sucking leeches, and swarms of carnivorous insects. Determined to penetrate the world of the elusive "red ape" in the name of science and conservation, Galdikas embarked on a quest of more than twenty years to become the foremost chronicler of orangutan life.

Her first task was to forge a bond of trust with the animals, but her initial forays into their world were thwarted by skeptical and territorial orangutans like handsome Cara, who hurled dead branches at Galdikas from the tree canopy above. Eventually, Galdikas became a surrogate member of the community, triumphantly claimed as "mother" by little Sugito, who clung to her fiercely, night and day, for months. Reflections of Eden is an exotic adventure, a history of vital scientific research, and the memoir of a remarkable woman. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

a Fascinating woman and a Fascinating book
Louis Leaky hand-picked three women to conduct studies of primates in their natural habitats. Jane Goodall was sent to study chimps in Gombe, Dianne Fossy: Gorillas in Zaire, and finally Birute Galdikas was sent to Borneo to study orangutans. Having read the work of all three remarkable women, Reflections of Eden stands out as one of the more well-written and engrossing books. Whether or not you are interested in primates, I would recommend this book as a story of one woman's determination and personal development in the face of daunting challenges.

One of my favourite books of all time
I was lucky enough to be one of Galdikas' undergraduate students in her Primate Behaviour course here in Simon Fraser University, Canada. She is very inspirational and I have great admiration for her life-long commitment to the orangutans. This book reflects this commitment and love plus adds lots of interesting facts on orangutan behaviour. I enjoyed her engaging writing style and found this book to be a quick read. Definitely a book that I would recommend to not only inspiring biologists, but to the general public as well.

Wonderful reading
Wonderful book! Galdikas brings us from her very beginnings as a young woman studing Orangutans to a true scientist breaking new ground as Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey did. The information and descriptions she passes along to the readers is endearing, educational, and brings you to another world. Read this yourself, you will be enchanted, you will cry, you will be happy you experienced this book. Thank you Birute!

Birute's personal account of two decades at Tanjung Puting
Having spent time volunteering at Tanjung Puting, I felt this book was wonderfully written. Although The Professor (Birute) is not an open person, she willingly shared her personal feelings in this book. She tells us in a wonderful fashion about the difficulties of establishing Camp Leakey in Kalimantan. She discloses much about marriage and divorce from Rod, and raising Binti. Her account of Rod's efforts during 7 1/2 years at Tanjung Puting are wonderful in that she credited him with so much. I appreciate her assimilation into Indonesian and Dayak culture. At first glance it may be difficult for us to understand how she could marry Pak Bohap, a native Dayak who even admits to having eaten orangutans. But her writing about this relationship is so understandable. Overall, this is a wonderful book by a woman entirely devoted to the conservation of one of the world's great apes. The story of her life in Borneo is fascinating. A great read about one of Louis Leakey's proteges!

Leakey's third "angel"
The other two "angels" on their mission of Great Ape rescue were of course Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey who studied respectively Chimpanzee's and Mountain Gorillas.(Fossey we know died for her cause). Birute Galdikas started later than the others (1971) and her Great Ape - Orangutans - were also less known and in some respects, less regarded than the others.

Does Galdikas' work in Borneo and her story in REFLECTIONS OF EDEN remedy this oversight? Only somewhat as this book is as much an autobiography as it is a natural history of the "men of the forest". Galdikas' affection for her mentor Louis Leakey is obvious as is her fondness for her fellow primatologists. "Dian, Jane Goodall, and I were family. Louis Leakey had recognized us as kindred souls and become our spiritual father." This connectedness she felt extended to the mystical. When Fossey was murdered in Rwanda in 1985 Galdikas tells us "even before I learned of her death, I knew Dian would be killed, I knew this was her destiny."

It should not be a surprise to read here that a scientist that feels this way will express a high degree of passion about her subjects. All three of these primatologists at different times have talked about "my apes" and this attachment is certainly reciprocated by the Orangutans. Galdikas tells about Sugito an orphaned young male "who selected me as his one and only, his mother". Orangs are the most arboreal and reclusive of the Great Apes and this naturally provides a challenge to studying them. Galdikas has nevertheless learned more about their social behavior than any other researcher. She mixes these insights in with her own life in the jungle at "Camp Leakey" and with life in Indonesia as a whole. In this context Galdikas even recognizes that for a Third World country like Indonesia, conserving and rehabilitating the Orangutans is yet just another priority that they must effectively juggle with. With this book she continues to encourage both them and us to care. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Bonobo Wisdom
An exceptional book with beautiful and revealing photos that show how strikingly similar these pygmee chimps are to us humans. The main strength of this book lies in the photos by Lanting. They portray the Bonobo as an ape of gentle demaenor and high intellect. The text is a little rudimentary and does not give a very expansive overview of the species, but in all this book is definitely worth purchasing.

Beautiful and Revealing-
The hardback version of Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape is memorable for its beautiful photography and courageous subject matter. Suitable for display, discretion may be called for in the "coffee table" method of sharing this book. Not every guest will appreciate their child thumbing through your volume to find pictures of sexually occupied simians- nor may you be pleased at having this masterful study of primate behavior snickered over by teenagers. For mature individuals interested in natural behavior within species, this is a must-have book.

Another fine effort by de Waal
Most people are familiar with chimps but few have heard of the bonobo, but we resemble them behaviorally more than any of the other great apes. Also I recall reading once that we have the greatest genetic similarity to bonobos. I forget the exact figure, but humans share something like 99.5 percent of their genetic material with bonobos.

De Waal teamed up with internationally acclaimed nature photographer Hans Lanting to produce not only a very scholarly but very readable and interesting book, and a visually very striking one as well.

There are many similarities between bonobo behavior and humans, and ways in which they differ from other apes. Females have higher social standing in bonobo society compared to chimps, and high-ranking males never stay that way for long unless they have the support of at least a high-ranking female or two.

Females also cooperate more than in other apes. They have been observed working together to drive off an aggressive male, which doesn't happen in chimps. Females are also very social, and seek to establish alliances with other males. This can come in handy in various ways. For example, during the mating season, if a a male the female doesn't like wants to mate, she can effectively rebuff his attempts by getting her other male friends to come to her aid. They even resemble us in their sexual behavior, since they are the only ape observed to use the missionary position during sex, which they do about half the time.

This is just a small sample of the many interesting and thought-provoking things I picked up from reading this book. Overall, a fascinating and very visually appealing presentation on this little-known and understood relative among the great apes.

Bonobo, you are not forgotten
This is a ground breaking book which forces humans to realize that not all of the great apes are violent as chimpanzees have been pigeonholed. It ultimately questions our humanness in relation to our 2 closest relatives: chimps & bonobos. Humans have characteristics of both, then why do many humans believe human nature is violent? This book gives us a mirror to see ourselves in.

An Excellent Resource
This book is wonderful in that it is one of the few scholarly works entirely devoted to pygmy chimpanzees, except for Randy Susman's edited volume (1984) and Kano's (1992) book. Interesting to the layperson, graduate student, and published scientist, Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape is not only filled with good information and beautiful glossy photos, it suggests new and interesting ideas to developing academics. A book like this is well worth the 20 dollars and is a good addition to the library of anyone interested in great apes. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

A heart-touching experience.
An astonishing writer named Sy Montgomery thoughtfull wrote Walking With The Great Apes. Montgomery's captivating novel portrays three women who are fasinated about how primates live and care for one another. In a dire world of poaching and murder, these three scientists attempt to protect and preserve the world and nature of humanity's closest cousins. All together Walking With The Great Apes is a thought-provoking book and a must read for anyone interested in the Great Apes.

Excellent
A very well written book and a great introduction to those who want to know more about the lives and studies of these 3 extremely remarkable woman Jane Goodall, Birutas Galdikas and last but not least for me THE woman of the 20th century Dian Fossey.

Wow
Sy Montgoemry writes extremely well, and as a consequence, her book is compulsively readable. Not only that, but the subject matter is pure fascination, as she sheds light on each of these great apes, their extraordinary environments, and the daring women scientists who study them - their unique approach to science, their trials and tribulations. A great book. ... Read more

Book Description

The remarkable story of a "talking" chimp, a leading scientist, and the profound insights they have uncovered about our species

He has been featured in cover stories in Time, Newsweek, and National Geographic, and has been the subject of a "NOVA" documentary. He is directly responsible for discoveries that have forced the scientific community to recast its thinking about the nature of the mind and the origins of language. He is Kanzi, an extraordinary bonobo chimpanzee who has overturned the idea that symbolic language is unique to our species. This is the moving story of how Kanzi learned to converse with humans and the profound lessons he has taught us about our animal cousins, and ourselves.

". . . The underlying thesis is informative and well argued . . . Savage-Rumbaugh's results are impressive." — The Washington Post

"This popular, absorbing, and controversial account is recommended." — Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Important but Defensive
This is an important, if somewhat defensive book. I would have been much more interested to read more about Kanzi's day to day behavior and to see some actual scientific data instead of the story of the investigator's scientific publishing woes. Nevertheless, this book should be read widely and it's message that we humans are not as unique as we like to think needs careful consideration by all scientists and the general population.

Outstanding glimpse into the mind of our closest relative.
This wonderful book by Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and Roger Lewin forces the reader to reevaluate what it means to be human. Kanzi is a remarkable ape that has revolutionized our understanding of how our closest relatives think, how our common ancestors may have evolved, and why we may not be as different as once supposed. Roger and Sue's collaboration is very readable and conveys the excitement of Sue's scientific research and Kanzi's remarkable talents ... Read more

Book Description

The local people know him as the "Man of the Forest," who refused to speak for fear of being put to work. And indeed the bear-like Sumatran orangutan, with his moon face, lanky arms, and shaggy red hair, does seem uncannily human; one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, the orangutan may have much to tell us about the origins of human intelligence, technology, and culture. In this book one of the world's leading experts on Sumatran orangutans, working in collaboration with nature photographer Perry van Duijnhoven, takes us deep into the disappearing world of these captivating primates.

In a narrative that is part adventure, part field journal, part call to conscience, Carel van Schaik introduces us to the colorful characters and complex lives of the orangutans who inhabit the vanishing forests of Sumatra. In compelling words and pictures, we come to know the personalities and temperaments of our primate cousins as they go about their days: building double-decker tree nests; using leaves as napkins, gloves, rain hats, and blankets, and sticks as backscratchers and probes; nurturing their infants longer and more intensely than any other nonhuman mammal. Here are the births and deaths, the first use of a tool, the defeat of a rival, the gradual loss of influence that, while fascinating to observe, may also help us to reconstruct human evolution.

Book Description

They are our closest relatives--and this large-scale, eye-opening book, with a preface by the world's most esteemed expert on the subject, opens a window onto the endlessly engrossing, sometimes dangerous, and often entertaining world of chimpanzees. This particular group lives in the forests and rolling hills of Mahale, a protected national park, accessible only by air or ferry, that runs 100 miles along the shore of Lake Tanganyika. For more than 15 years, Dr. Michael Huffman has devoted his life to studying this community, watching the families' interaction with each other and charting a range of fascinating behaviors never seen before in other chimps, from a grooming hand clasp to licking pebbles on the beach. He now guides a top photographer and biologist on a safari through this territory, where they-and we-can encounter chimps first-hand. The three combine to produce a remarkable "chimp portrait" that's an unprecedented mixture of science, art, and poetry. Aided by haikus, magnificent photographs, and charcoal drawings, Dr. Huffman chronicles the intricacies of chimp life and relationships, and the mortal danger they face from poachers.Among the cast of unforgettable characters you'll meet: Masudi, a low-ranking male who stays safely near humans during tense moments in the chimp tribe; his mother, Wantendle; and the protective, caring female Gwekulo among them. Here they are, staring out with their intelligent gazes; hugging each other, tending lovingly to their babies; snuggling into branches heavy with fruit; and swinging playfully from tree to tree. Our affinity for these mammals was celebrated in Dian Fossey's best seller, Gorillas in the Mist; Mahale will ensure they will stay forever in our mind--and spur us to help preserve the species for generations to come.
"In this wonderful traveller's journal...Angelika Hofer's expressive narration even enables us to hear the sounds of the jungle and Günter Ziesler's splendid photographs let us sense the mysterious light of the African jungle by Lake Tanganyika even from afar...Dr. Michael A. Huffman...describes isolated details from the lives of the chimpanzees.This all combines to produce a rousing adventure and a better understanding of our nearest relatives.This book should also encourage the reader to participate in the effort to ensure the survival of our severely threatened cousins."--Dr. Jane Goodall.
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Reviews (2)

Stunning photographs, good text
For those who love chimpanzees, MAHALE is the perfect photographic look into their lives. Most of the 160 pages consist of full-page, glossy photographs of chimps and their habitat, taken in the Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania. You'll see a contemplative young chimp dabbling his fingers in a mountain stream, five chimps arranged in a grooming line, a female lounging in her day nest, chimps feeding and hunting, nurturing, playing. Much of their social lives are captured within these pages. Perhaps unfortunately, the accompanying text, while well-written and interesting, is overshadowed by the first-rate photography. The text supplies insights into the lives studied here: diet, social behavior, self-medicating techniques, adaptive behavior, and much more. As with most books about chimpanzees, MAHALE has a foreword written by Jane Goodall.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in chimpanzees and other non-human primates.

BEAUTIFUL
To anyone who loves chimpanzees: This book is wonderful! The pictures are absolutely beautiful! There are even little bits and pieces about researching chimps in the wild. To anyone who doesn't already love chimps: Read this book and you will! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

not the best
I think the CD-ROM would be great to have, but I can't find it anywhere! Noel Rowe's _Pictorial Guide to the Primates_ is much much better.

Wonderful reference book
As a primatologist, I suggest that this book would make an excellent addition to community college libraries. It gives specific information regarding diet, location (including a map), social groupings, and current status as well as a clear image of the primate. I use it to supplement texts, as it covers a variety of species not usually discussed.

interesting but not effective
This was a great reference book, but not a favorite of mine. I bought this version for a primates class yet it only helped minimally. The suggested class texts by Collinge and Napier proved to be by far the most effective tools in our research,the actual cd-rom version was very nice b/c it was in color and photographs could be viewed easier. The resale value was poor also!

Multimedia Guide to the Nonhuman Primates
This is a very informative book, easy to read and understand. It should be required to all first year Anthropology and Science students. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Points Made Poorly
This book deserves credit for pointing out the mistakes made by Galdikas in Tanjung Puting National Park.
These include swarming a natural habitat with tamed apes that can never become wild again but pass on human diseases to the wild population and outcompete them for food in the area.
It also reveals how OFI "volunter-programs" and "study tours" were little more than overpriced package tours for naive animal lovers, simply aimed at making cash.
In that respect, it is a real eye-opener which is also very accessible to the general reader.
In fact the publication of this book has already caused OFI/Galdikas to address some of the issues publicized in it!
Thus the author has probably achieved more than the she had hoped for.

On the downside I found it somewhat poorly-researched.
It is obvious that Spalding knows very little about the culture, fauna, and conservation issues of Indonesia.
She seems also rather naive - all information obtained from Indonesians on her short trips to Borneo is taken at face-value.
The book is also quite unbalanced - Galdikas is put in an all negative light, ignoring the postive aspects of her long work in the area.
Finally, I also found the book too personal - Spalding speaks way too much about herself, which has bored me though may interest others...

For those with a serious interest in the issues raised in this book I recommend reading: "Our Vanishing Relative: The Status of Wild Orang-Utans at the Close of the Twentieth Century" by H. D. Rijksen & E. Meijaard which is a proffessional summary of anything that has to do with the conservation of these great apes. ... Read more