Reviews (3)

Monkey see, monkey do
For anyone who doubts the linkage of man and ape, just take a look-see in this book.Jill Greenberg--a stunning visualist who's work you've all seen and don't even know it--captures all manner of expression of our primate cousins.I've seen the ape and it is me.

nice
my wife.
Absolutely Wonderful
Some say they're just animals. Others say they're almost human. What is it about monkeys and apes that fascinate us? Whatever the reason, we love them, and this is what Jill Greenberg celebrates in her new photographic collection, Monkey Portraits.
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Subjects:  1. Apes    2. Apes & Monkeys    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    4. Individual Photographer    5. Monkeys    6. Photo Techniques    7. Photography    8. Photography Of Specific Subjects    9. Photography of primates    10. Pictorial works    11. Primates    12. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    13. Nature / Apes & Monkeys    14. Photographs: collections   

Editorial Review

Robert Sapolsky, the author of Read more

Reviews (56)

Baboons in the Mist
This was a humorous and entertaining book, though it could use a bit of editing. It's hard to believe that such an educated person could fall prey to the various scams. I enjoyed reading about the cultural differences and refreshing perceptions Mr.Sapolsky endured and experienced.

compassion and intellect
Robert Sapolsky writes with the compassion of David Quammen, the challenging intellect of Stephen Jay Gould and the dedication of E.O. Wilson! He engages his readers, he charms them and he treats them as kindred spirits. If I wasn't an atheist I would thank God for Robert Sapolsky.

AFearful Symmetry
Sapolsky artfully interweaves 3 stories. The parallels are amazing as he recounts his experiences studying a baboon troop in Kenya, and the human troops he encounters in his work and travels throughout Africa. The third story is his development from adolescent subadult to mature scientist and fully adult, competent human. This book reads like an action packed novel, while impartingscientific truth within the context of a broad systemic paradigm. Sapolsky is able to think objectively, while acknowledging the compelling power of his own emotional responses. He is clear aboutwhich is which and the limitations of each. The choice to rigorously utilize both results in a rich tale that offers the reader a view ofcomplex connections, vivid similarities and profound humbling differences. This pattern of both and, holds true at the level of the individual, the community, the culture as well as across species.
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Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, East    3. Anecdotes    4. Apes & Monkeys    5. Baboons    6. Behavior    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Sapolsky, Robert M    11. Scientists - General    12. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    13. Nature / Apes & Monkeys    14. Wild animals   

Reviews (4)

I Can Now Stop Looking For My Lost Copy
When I learned of the update to one of this subject's best works, I was elated. Having misplaced my original copy during a move (probably in one of many boxes in my garage). One cannot be a serious student of Bigfootology, without including this volume in ones personal library. Ranks right up there with the best works of John Green, Ivan T. Sanderson, Rene Dahinden, and Loren Coleman. Hours of good reading.

Great !
Pure bigfoot action! Hundreds of sightings not covered in other books. A very good read.

The update is here
I reviewed the original text of this book a few years ago and commented it would be nice to see an updated version... it seems someone was listening and here we are with a reprint and updated version. We get the original text which covers sightings of bigfoots from 1818 up to 1980, continentwide. Now included is coverage from 1981 to 2004. Again, this may be the best book out there for the casual reader as you get a wide variety of coverage covering 'typical' sightings to the ufo/paranormal angle. This new addition doesn't cover every single incident of the last 25 years but gives a very nice cross-section of more current sightings. Once again in the back is a chronological listing of over 1000 sightings only reformatted. Unfortunately this list is from the original and does not include the new addition section. To counteract that though are some new photos throughout the book that I've never seen before, most intriguing is the picture on page 27 of an unknown shot-dead creature, it's hard to figure out what it is but it's very intriguing. Once again, excellent book for all and this is the book a casual reader would want to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Nature    4. New Age    5. Sasquatch    6. Unexplained Phenomena   

Editorial Review

The great apes, like humans, can recognize themselves in mirrors. They communicate by soundand gesture, form bands along what can only be called political lines, and sometimes engage in what is veryclearly organized warfare. (Less frequently, too, they practice cannibalism.) In Read more

Reviews (15)

DISTURBING BUT USEFUL
Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes was a very disturbing book to read. Perhaps this is because of the way Franz de Waal chose to end the book.The story about how Luit finished his reign as "alpha male" was extremely upsetting.
Lots about Chimpazee Erections
De Waal investigates chimpanzee behavior in a zoo, which is at odds with chimpanzee behavior in the wild. The main difference is that the female chimps live together instead of foraging alone, which leads them to participate more in politics than usual. The book is about coalitions, how they're formed, and between whom. The longest part details how leadership changed from chimp to chimp to chimp. There is quite a bit about chimpanzee sex, especially how male chimps thrusts their hips forward and bounce their penises up and down to attract women. There is a nude shot of a chimpanzee penis, but you have to be told what it is. There is a lesbian monkey, and an ape rape, and they go together. A big arrow would have been helpful. The very best part is the postscript which depicts something that is treated fully in another book (de Waal is a salesman as well as a biologist); one of the chimps is murdered when the other chimps bite off his balls. It has some good pictures, it's kind of fun, but I wouldn't buy it.

Fascinating parallels to human behavior
The parallels de Waal draws between human and chimp politics are interesting, ironic, and often amusing. They seem so valid--if one can look objectively and without prejudice--that I found myself both fascinated and amused throughout the whole book at the similarities between both chimp and human customs and politics. The difference between us and the chimps is that a thin surface veneer of ideology and beliefs hides the true nature of politics for us, and the sex and the money which are really at the root of it.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Apes & Monkeys    3. General    4. Life Sciences - Biology - General    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    6. Nature    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Animal behaviour    10. Architecture / Landscape    11. Primates   

Editorial Review

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.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. 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 thisbook!Everyone who has ever read her dazzling books or has any knowledgeor admiration for Jane's hard and unmistakably hard work will enjoy thistimeline of a stunning woman's life in Africa!Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1934-    2. Apes & Monkeys    3. Behavior    4. Chimpanzees    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    6. Gombe Stream Reserve    7. Goodall, Jane,    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Photography    11. Primate Behavior    12. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    13. Tanzania    14. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    15. Goodall, Jane    16. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    17. Photography & Photographs   

Reviews (14)

Reflections of Eden
If you are inspired by dedicated peoplewith vision and or conservation this is a must read.Professor Galdikas is an amazing woman and is part of the Leakey sisterhoodie Fossey, Goodall and Galdikas, who have made life time studies of apes.

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 fashionabout 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 aboutthis 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! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Behavior    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Borneo    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Orangutan    9. Primatologists    10. Research    11. Scientists - General    12. Women    13. Women primatologists    14. Nature / Apes & Monkeys   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful Gorilla study and more
This is a wonderful combination of anthropology, history, ecology, and gorilla studies. Schaller writes in a captivating and inviting style. I loved that he presented his datea on gorillas, the focus of his presence in Africa, within his own experience there. Imbeded within was ecological commentary expectable with endandered creatures; however, Schaller managed to make this contribute favorably to his book rather than the whining diatribe it could have been.
Fascinating story
This is the fascinating story of the author's expedition to study Mountain Gorillas in 1959-60. Told as a detailed narrative, it is as much an adventure story as a scientific analysis. A Look at the life of Gorillas through Schaller's Eyes
George Schaller takes you with him as he goes to the Virunga Volcanoes tostudy the Gorillas.He takes a look at the gorillas, but with a morepersonal approach than with "The Mountain Gorilla".Instead ofpouring out scientific facts, he shares with you some of his feelings andexperiences as he watched them.This was a refreshing look at the life ofgorillas from his own perspective.I would recommend it to anyone with aninterest in Gorillas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gorilla    2. Kivu    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Primates    7. Rwanda    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Uganda    11. Zaire    12. Science / Biology   

Reviews (4)

superb tribute
U nusually informative survey of Garbo's career with background material on her artistry rather than just her personal life
Garbo Fans will want to be "alone" with this beautiful book!
The Swedish Sphinx Greta Garbo (1905-1990 was "an enigma wrapped up in mystery" to most people. However, in this out-
Buy it!
Any book put out by Abrams has my vote and a place on my book shelf. This book on Garbo is no exception. Without reading a word her story is told through the fabulous photographs. A must for fans of classic film, Garbo (obviously!) and photography buffs!
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Subjects:  1. 1905-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cinema/Film: Book    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Film & Video - General    9. Film & Video - History & Criticism    10. Film Criticism    11. Garbo, Greta,    12. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    13. Individual actors & performers    14. Performing Arts / Film / General   

Editorial Review

For three decades, primatologist Roger Fouts has been involved in language studies of the chimpanzee, the animal most closely related to human beings. Among his subjects was the renowned Washoe, who was "endowed with a powerful need to learn and communicate," and who developed an extraordinary vocabulary in American sign language. Another chimpanzee, Fouts writes, "never made a grammatical error," which turned a whole school of linguistic theory upside down. While reporting these successes, Fouts also notes that chimpanzees are regularly abused in laboratory settings and that in the wild their number has fallen from 5,000,000 to fewer than 175,000 in the last century. ... Read more

Reviews (51)

My favorite book
This book is a very thorough treatment not only of the plight of the chimpanzees who have learned American Sign Language, but of other captive chimpanzees and free-living chimpanzees as well. It explores science, philosophy, and philanthropy as they relate to our relationship with our next of kin. I appreciate how honestly it is written and it has since become my favorite book (ten years and counting...).

where to even begin...
This was a book assigned for a class I took on comparative (animal) psychology.In addition to having a few humorous anecdotes of monkey business, it introduces concepts of zoology, linguistics, and psychology more generally.It also raises questions about what it really means to be human or animal.It's not dense reading, but the issues that it raises are not light either.It's worth the struggle.The mark of a good book: even a few years after reading it, I still recommend it to folks.Including you.

an eye opener
I enjoyed this book very much. It is an eye opener to the way research animals are viewed and sometimes treated in our society today but it is written in story form so it does not come off as boring or preachy. Since I work with research animals I found the book to be very educational. It gives you insight into the varying degrees with which people interpret "proper care and well being" of these animals. But the most interesting part about this book is that you get to see just how chimps learn and how more interestingly, how they feel about people and things happening in their lives since they are able to communicate with humans via sign language.
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Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Biography    3. Essays    4. Experimental psychologists    5. General    6. Human-animal communication    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Sign Language    11. United States    12. Washoe (Chimpanzee)    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Sign Language   

Reviews (6)

Seminal Book Connects Speech, Cognition, and Autism
Since the research that supports the theory proposed by these authors is so thoroughly documented, it may prove too technical for the average reader.Still, the insights are stupendous and easily verifiable by anyone with good parenting skills.The fact that, when applied to people with autism, the results are outstanding and highly unusual, tends to validate their theory.
*****
I admit I skimmed some of the authors' research project anecdotes, but closely read much of the rest, and found it fascinating. I personally was recently pondering and taking issue with some of the Chomsky "Big Bang mutation" type theories I'd recently read regarding the development of human language, and THE FIRST IDEA presents a very credible alternate theory regarding same. And I found their case that nurture being of utmost importance in the development of an individual could be extended to how societies in general function well-handled. It looks like the Beatles were right. All you need is love.

The antidote to rationalism & genetic determinism!
At last, a worthy antidote to the noxious trend that explains all human consciousness and behaviour by the evolution and activities of the brain alone! Cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, and neurophilosophy, while adding complexity, have embraced the assumption that basically posit life unfolding entirely as evolving, interacting genes. This book reminds us that opposition to such genetic programming need not imply mysticism, idealism, or anything "spooky". Greenspan and Shanker stand for the predominance of cultural learning passed on generation to generation, its content always changing and never complete.Read more

Subjects:  1. Evolutionary psychology    2. General    3. Intelligence    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Life Sciences - Evolution - Human    7. Linguistics    8. Science    9. Social Psychology   

Reviews (2)

Dedicated Woman
Diane Fossey has been one of my female science heroes ever since I was a little girl.This book gives an interesting view of Diane as a person.She was super dedicated to the Gorillas, but also had many personal demons.If you wanted an introspective view of this legend, I recommend this beautiful book.

Beautiful Book About a Beautiful Person
The words "No One Loved Gorillas More" are the words put on Dian Fossey's tombstone after she was murdered. This book is her eulogy. It is composed of letters she wrote between 1966 and her death two days after Christmas, 1985. The letters are combined with more than a hundred color photographs of she and a reverential story of her life by journalist Camilla de la Bedoyere.
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Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Gorilla    7. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    8. Primates    9. Primatologists    10. Rwanda    11. Scientists    12. Scientists - General    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology    15. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Nature / Apes & Monkeys    5. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

In 1963, an occupational therapist from Kentucky, in uncertain health and spirits, traveled to central Africa in the quixotic hope of seeing a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. Dian Fossey had read everything she could about the reclusive and much-feared animal, and she returned from her trip convinced that most of the books were wrong.Read more

Reviews (18)

Murder in the Mist Solved?
After more than 15 years, the mastermind behind the gruesome and infamous murder of renowned gorilla researcher and protector, Dr. Dian Fossey whose life was portrayed in the 1988 movie "Gorillas in the Mist," may finally be in custody in Belgium. Protais Zigiranyirazo, the former Governor of the Ruhengeri province in Rwanda, brother-in-law of the assassinated Rwandan president, and one of the country's most wanted criminals for his creation of "death squads," which killed 800,000 in 1994, was captured by Belgian police while trying to flee Kenya on June 9, 2001.
Beautiful and utterly captivating
"Gorillas In The Mist" is more than just a scientific journal, it is a window into the world of nature itself. Dian Fossey paints a clear picture of her beloved mountain gorillas and brings forth her passion, through words, to save them from extinction. She went against the odds and changed the way we think about gorillas. She is a heroine in my eyes.
Utterly Fascinating
I picked this up on a whim.I had a gift card to a local book store and remembered finding the movie adaptation quite entertaining.
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Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Behavior    3. Gorilla    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Biography: general    7. History of science    8. Nature / Apes & Monkeys    9. Wild animals   

Reviews (1)

Good Survey Text
A good survey text of primate social ecology. Strier's work among new world primates makes this book better than most which are too heavily biased towards macaque and chimp studies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Anthropology - Physical    3. Behavior    4. Ecology    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    6. Primates    7. Science    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Animal behaviour    11. Animal ecology    12. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (1)

One of the best primate books out there!
This book is great!It includes practically every living primate there is and it is broken down into a very understandible and practical way.I have used this book for a case study I am working on it has helps loads.My professor is one of the editors on this book and all I have to say is, job well done!!I would recomend this book to anybody who is doing research in the feild or just has an interest in primates, it is that comprehensible! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Anthropology - Physical    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    4. Primates    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Anthropology | Biological & Physical Anthropology    8. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Primatology   

Reviews (3)

An astonishing book with incredible depth of spirit.
I had recently read "The Tracker" by Tom Brown Jr. and thought it a remarkable book. It was the shear enthusiasm and telling of the truth that made it so inspirational. It was a kind of retelling of the innocence of his boyhood. He had been extremely lucky in being taught by Stalking Wolf, the Apache shaman, and grandfather of his best friend Rick. He was 83 at the time and became more than a mentor to the 8 year old Tom. Stalking Wolf epitomised the great teacher everyone seeks but does not find in today's world where too many people have isolated themselves from the natural world.
A great sophomore outing for Mr. Brown!
I must say that I wasn't disappointed in this, the follow up to "The Tracker". Though I was inspired by the first book, this, the second really gives me the story I want. It goes from high to low. It shows theman who was at first a bit hesitant and leery of his talents test them inways that inspire. From Mr. Browns deep wood encounter with the spirit of agreat, old tree, to the heartbreak of the tracking of a young victim of asenseless crime, the book captivates!

A worthwhile follow-up to "The Tracker"
Though not as quite as inspired as the tracker was, the search continues the story of Tom's life in the outdoors and the further challenges he put himself through ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys    2. Essays    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Spiritualism - General    7. Tracking and trailing    8. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Physical    2. Apes & Monkeys    3. Behavior    4. Ecology    5. Evolution    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    8. Nature    9. Primates    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Social Science / Anthropology / Physical   

Reviews (3)

infinite care and patience, great insight - a thrilling and wonderful read
I like this book a lot.
A startling look at human altruism and how we obtained it
This book is easy to read, revolutionary in its interpretation of the evolution of human egalitarianism and altruism, and in addition a warningabout our current state of liberal democracy -- though the author does notsee the danger. Evolution of Human Egalitarianism
From the time I picked up this book until finishing it within 36 hours, I was captured by this excellent work on human politics from an evolutionary perspective.Boehm shows close scholarship in his summaries ofhunter-gatherer and other society's ethnographic evidence bearing onpolitics.He also contrasts this human focus with our closest relatives,the apes, and chimps in particular.Readers may find of interest thestruggle, rather than ease, with which egalitarianism appears among simplesocieties.The book also raises questions about the origin of humanegalitarianism that will stimulate readers and research for years to come. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Anthropology - Physical    3. Human Geography    4. Life Sciences - Evolution    5. Life Sciences - Evolution - Human    6. Science    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Animal behaviour    10. Biological anthropology    11. Evolution    12. Primates    13. Science / Evolution   

Subjects:  1. Behavior    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology    4. Primates    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Sexual selection in animals    8. Animal behaviour    9. Behavioural theory (Behaviourism)    10. Science / Biology   

Reviews (3)

Unquestionably the best undergrad textbook
Anyone who teaches an intro to primates course will wish to assign this book to their students.There are a variety of textbooks on the subject available, and some of them are excellent.Fleagle's volume, however, is the only one that provides such a complete review of the fossil record and anatomical variation, as well as behavioral variation.It is concise, thorough, and complete, and the best of the choices available to an instructor in this subject.

a must-have
Can you study physical anthropology and not have this book? Probably not. If it hasn't been assigned to you as part of your education and you are serious about physical anthropology, you should buy this book right now. This book outlines the living primates as well as the extinct species in an easy to understand, easy to learn format. It has all the information you could ever need to know about living and extinct primates.

excellent source of reference for primatology enthusiasts
During college, I used this book extensively to gather initial information on primates.This book covers anywhere from the evolutionary relationship of primates, to the current dentition of any primate species.The bookdoes an excellent job of cataloging primate species to be easilyreferenced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Physical    2. Apes & Monkeys    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Life Sciences - Evolution    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Primate Physiology    9. Primates    10. Social Science / Anthropology / General