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Anthony MarraAnthony Marra's debut novel is a marvel. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena describes, in astonishingly beautiful prose, five days in a rural... Continue »
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Animal Wise Signed Edition

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ISBN13: 9780307461445
ISBN10: 0307461440
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Noted science writer Virginia Morell explores the frontiers of research on animal cognition and emotion, offering a surprising and moving exploration into the hearts and minds of wild and domesticated animals.

Did you know that ants teach, earthworms make decisions, rats love to be tickled, and chimps grieve? Did you know that some dogs have thousand-word vocabularies and that birds practice songs in their sleep? That crows improvise tools, blue jays plan ahead, and moths remember living as caterpillars?

Animal Wise takes us on a dazzling odyssey into the inner world of animals, from ants to elephants to wolves, and from sharp-shooting archerfish to pods of dolphins that rumble like rival street gangs. With 30 years of experience covering the sciences, Morell uses her formidable gifts as a story-teller to transport us to field sites and laboratories around the world, introducing us to pioneering animal-cognition researchers and their surprisingly intelligent and sensitive subjects. She explores how this rapidly evolving, controversial field has only recently overturned old notions about why animals behave as they do. She probes the moral and ethical dilemmas of recognizing that even “lesser animals” have cognitive abilities such as memory, feelings, personality, and self-awareness — traits that many in the twentieth century felt were unique to human beings.

By standing behaviorism on its head, Morell brings the world of nature brilliantly alive in a nuanced, deeply felt appreciation of the human-animal bond, and she shares her admiration for the men and women who have simultaneously chipped away at what we think makes us distinctive while offering a glimpse of where our own abilities come from.

Review:

“[A] delightful exploration of how animals think....Morell makes a fascinating, convincing case that even primitive animals give some thought to their actions.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Review:

“After you read this book, you will be convinced that many different animal species have true thoughts and emotions. You will take a journey to the center of the animal mind.” Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

Review:

“From real-estate appraising ants and wife-beating parrots to laughing rats, grieving elephants, and dogs that play Simon Says, Virginia Morell’s Animal Wise is a fascinating and intellectually sweeping overview of the new science of animal cognition. With Morell’s unusual ability to capture the passion and humanity of these scientists, this extraordinary book is an impressive treatment of animal minds and a must read for anyone who has ever wondered what is going on in the heads of the creatures we share our world with.” Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat

Review:

“Why is it that until very recently, many scientists claimed that animals can’t think? Every pet owner knows better, and Virginia Morell is our champion. But she’s not going on guesswork and opinion — Animal Wise is thoroughly and meticulously researched. And it’s a page-turner — a window to the natural world that will change the way we view other species. We place ourselves at the top of the evolutionary ladder. Of course we do. We invented the ladder. In her marvelous book, Morell displays the folly of this viewpoint. Animal Wise is fabulous!” Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs

Review:

“Morell’s Animal Wise is science writing at its best. Here she not only translates scientists’ jargon and data into enviable prose, but transmits her love of the field to her audience. Novice readers will be enthralled to learn about the intelligence of the creatures in this book, and experts will be extremely pleased to see how she makes their work and that of their colleagues accessible to everyone.” Irene Pepperberg, author of Alex & Me

Review:

“From chimpanzees playing computer games to amorous dolphins, Virginia Morell takes us on a lively tour of what we have learned about the emotions and intelligence of animals. By inviting scientists to tell their personal side of the story, she not only brings the animals closer but also the thrill of discovery.” Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy

Review:

“These animals have incredible minds. Now thanks to Morell they have a voice. I love this book. It makes me even prouder to share this Earth with our non-human kin.” Jennifer S. Holland, author of Unlikely Friendships

Review:

“Anyone who reads this book will be changed forever in their view of life on earth.” Richard E. Leakey, FRS, Stony Brook Professor of Anthropology and author of The Sixth Extinction

Review:

“The scientific expertise Virginia Morell provides to this very important subject, and the way she ties this in with the researchers who know their animals — because knowing them is their life work — make this an important book and a great read.” Bernd Heinrich, author of Life Everlasting

Review:

“Animal Wise brings the reader into the lab and field to learn firsthand from the scientists that marvel over the minds of other animals. Using the sharp pen of an investigative reporter, Morell exposes the expected brilliance of apes, dolphins, and parrots, but also surprises us with simple discoveries of genius among fishes and ants, and even laughter among rats. Each page allows you to anticipate, sweat, grieve, and celebrate with dedicated scientists as you discover and experience their worlds, and those within the minds of the astounding animals that they study. Your journey causes reflection; a consideration of how we treat other species and what they think about us.” John Marzluff, Professor of Wildlife Science, University of Washington and author of Dog Days, Raven Nights and Gifts of the Crow

Review:

“Animal Wise is a thought-provoking and highly engaging set of essays that captures the changing views of scientists toward the minds and emotional lives of animals. It is sure to have broad impact on attitudes towards other species and our treatment of them. Thank you, Virginia Morell, for adding legitimacy to what we have so painstakingly observed.” Joyce Poole, PhD, Co-Director of ElephantVoices, member of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, and author of Coming of Age With Elephants

Review:

“In sprightly and clear prose Virginia Morell enters the world of animals with respect and insight and with the compelling argument that our lives differ only in degree. The recognition that we are bound in mind to many other creatures, all of them dependent on us for survival, will, I hope, arouse our compassion and assure them a future. This is a fascinating, timely, and important book.” George B. Schaller, Panthera and Wildlife Conservation Society

Review:

“From ants to apes, Animal Wise covers wide-ranging scientific research on the cognitive and emotional capacities of many different non-human animals. Noted author Virginia Morell writes clearly and concisely, and this easy read will surely be good for animals because we must use what we know about them to make their lives better in an increasingly human dominated world.” Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Animal Manifesto and editor of Ignoring Nature No More

Review:

“It is nice to see a science writer of Virginia Morell’s distinction take on this increasingly important topic, and it is good to have her calm and careful voice added to the conversation. She has a great deal to teach us about the latest research on the frontiers of this fascinating new world. Animal Wise is a fine book.” Jeffrey Masson, author of When Elephants Weep
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About the Author

Virginia Morell is a prolific contributor to National Geographic, Science, and Smithsonian, among other publications. She is also the author of Ancestral Passions, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; Blue Nile; and coauthor with Richard Leakey of Wildlife Wars.
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Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1. The Ant Teachers

Chapter 2. Among Fish

Chapter 3. Birds with Brains

Chapter 4. Parrots in Translation

Chapter 5. The Laughter of Rats

Chapter 6. Elephant Memories

Chapter 7. The Educated Dolphin

Chapter 8. The Wild Minds of Dolphins

Chapter 9. What It Means to Be a Chimpanzee

Chapter 10. Of Dogs and Wolves

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Notes

Further Reading

Index

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Nancy S, March 30, 2013 (view all comments by Nancy S)
How refeshing to read a book about animals that includes both evolutionary biology and heart. Most books involving animal intellegence focus on how they measure up to human genius but Virginia Morell chooses instead to explore the uniqueness of animal minds and emotions. She tracks down scientific research being done all over the world that indicates animals have thoughts, feelings, laughter and dreams. I found particularily compelling the relationships that develop between the animals and the humans that sudy them in captivity and in the wild. What a great book!
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techeditor, January 22, 2013 (view all comments by techeditor)
Here is a book everyone should read. It deals with such an important subject, and too many of us are unaware of it. Probably, MOST of us are unaware of it.

Virginia Morell, author of ANIMAL WISE, says that animals have minds. They use their brains as we do, and, like us, they have personalities, moods, and emotions. They laugh and play. Some show grief and empathy.

It is true that most of us pet owners see intelligence and personality in our own animals. But this is more than a proclamation by someone who loves her pets.

Morell speaks scientific fact, first in a cover article in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, now expanded in ANIMAL WISE. She tells us how we know that domesticated and wild animals, such as chimpanzees, elephants, wolves, and even fish, live by more than instinct.

Morell knows and wants us all to know: animals have feelings, both psychological and physical. But most of us don't realize that because the scientific experiments and findings that prove this have happened mostly in relatively recent years, the 1990s. But, even then and now, other animal experts are telling us to beware of anthropomorphism, attributing human emotions to animals. They need to see the proof to believe it.

The ANIMAL WISE epilogue gives examples to show why we need to know that animals as well as humans have minds and emotions. Then how could we not take care of animals and know that to do otherwise is immoral?

So read ANIMAL WISE. Then you will notice that, more and more, this subject is discussed elsewhere, too. Places like PBS stations and the Discovery channel are getting the word out so that even nonreaders of scientific magazines will see the proof.

Thanks to readitforward.com for this galley of ANIMAL WISE.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780307461445
Subtitle:
The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures
Author:
Morell, Virginia
Publisher:
Crown Publishing Group (NY)
Subject:
PETS / General
Subject:
Animals
Copyright:
2013
Publication Date:
20130231
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Language:
English
Pages:
304
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Related Subjects

Featured Titles » General
Featured Titles » Science
Pets » General
Reference » Science Reference » General
Science and Mathematics » Biology » Ethology and Animal Behavior
Science and Mathematics » Biology » Zoology » General
Science and Mathematics » Nature Studies » General
Science and Mathematics » Nature Studies » Mammals » General
Science and Mathematics » Nature Studies » Zoology

Animal Wise Signed Edition New Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$26.00 In Stock
Product details 304 pages Crown Publishing Group (NY) - English 9780307461445 Reviews:
"Review" by , “[A] delightful exploration of how animals think....Morell makes a fascinating, convincing case that even primitive animals give some thought to their actions.”
"Review" by , “After you read this book, you will be convinced that many different animal species have true thoughts and emotions. You will take a journey to the center of the animal mind.”
"Review" by , “From real-estate appraising ants and wife-beating parrots to laughing rats, grieving elephants, and dogs that play Simon Says, Virginia Morell’s Animal Wise is a fascinating and intellectually sweeping overview of the new science of animal cognition. With Morell’s unusual ability to capture the passion and humanity of these scientists, this extraordinary book is an impressive treatment of animal minds and a must read for anyone who has ever wondered what is going on in the heads of the creatures we share our world with.”
"Review" by , “Why is it that until very recently, many scientists claimed that animals can’t think? Every pet owner knows better, and Virginia Morell is our champion. But she’s not going on guesswork and opinion — Animal Wise is thoroughly and meticulously researched. And it’s a page-turner — a window to the natural world that will change the way we view other species. We place ourselves at the top of the evolutionary ladder. Of course we do. We invented the ladder. In her marvelous book, Morell displays the folly of this viewpoint. Animal Wise is fabulous!”
"Review" by , “Morell’s Animal Wise is science writing at its best. Here she not only translates scientists’ jargon and data into enviable prose, but transmits her love of the field to her audience. Novice readers will be enthralled to learn about the intelligence of the creatures in this book, and experts will be extremely pleased to see how she makes their work and that of their colleagues accessible to everyone.”
"Review" by , “From chimpanzees playing computer games to amorous dolphins, Virginia Morell takes us on a lively tour of what we have learned about the emotions and intelligence of animals. By inviting scientists to tell their personal side of the story, she not only brings the animals closer but also the thrill of discovery.”
"Review" by , “These animals have incredible minds. Now thanks to Morell they have a voice. I love this book. It makes me even prouder to share this Earth with our non-human kin.”
"Review" by , “Anyone who reads this book will be changed forever in their view of life on earth.”
"Review" by , “The scientific expertise Virginia Morell provides to this very important subject, and the way she ties this in with the researchers who know their animals — because knowing them is their life work — make this an important book and a great read.”
"Review" by , “Animal Wise brings the reader into the lab and field to learn firsthand from the scientists that marvel over the minds of other animals. Using the sharp pen of an investigative reporter, Morell exposes the expected brilliance of apes, dolphins, and parrots, but also surprises us with simple discoveries of genius among fishes and ants, and even laughter among rats. Each page allows you to anticipate, sweat, grieve, and celebrate with dedicated scientists as you discover and experience their worlds, and those within the minds of the astounding animals that they study. Your journey causes reflection; a consideration of how we treat other species and what they think about us.” John Marzluff, Professor of Wildlife Science, University of Washington and author of Dog Days, Raven Nights and Gifts of the Crow
"Review" by , “Animal Wise is a thought-provoking and highly engaging set of essays that captures the changing views of scientists toward the minds and emotional lives of animals. It is sure to have broad impact on attitudes towards other species and our treatment of them. Thank you, Virginia Morell, for adding legitimacy to what we have so painstakingly observed.” Joyce Poole, PhD, Co-Director of ElephantVoices, member of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, and author of Coming of Age With Elephants
"Review" by , “In sprightly and clear prose Virginia Morell enters the world of animals with respect and insight and with the compelling argument that our lives differ only in degree. The recognition that we are bound in mind to many other creatures, all of them dependent on us for survival, will, I hope, arouse our compassion and assure them a future. This is a fascinating, timely, and important book.”
"Review" by , “From ants to apes, Animal Wise covers wide-ranging scientific research on the cognitive and emotional capacities of many different non-human animals. Noted author Virginia Morell writes clearly and concisely, and this easy read will surely be good for animals because we must use what we know about them to make their lives better in an increasingly human dominated world.” Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Animal Manifesto and editor of Ignoring Nature No More
"Review" by , “It is nice to see a science writer of Virginia Morell’s distinction take on this increasingly important topic, and it is good to have her calm and careful voice added to the conversation. She has a great deal to teach us about the latest research on the frontiers of this fascinating new world. Animal Wise is a fine book.”
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