Synopses & Reviews
Journalist Richard Conniff probes the age-old question "Are the rich different from you and me?" and finds that they are indeed a completely different animal. He observes with great humor and finesse this socially unique species, revealing their strategies for ensuring dominance and submission, their flourishes of display behavior, the intricate dynamics of their pecking order, as well as their unorthodox mating practices. Through comparisons to other equally exotic animals, Conniff uncovers surprising commonalities.
' How did Bill Gates achieve his single greatest act of social dominance by being nice? ' How does the flattery of the rich resemble the grooming behavior of baboons? ' What made the British aristocracy the single most successful animal dominance hierarchy in the history of the planet? ' How does Old Money's disdain for the nouveaux riches resemble the pig-grunting of mountain gorillas?
This marvelously entertaining field guide captures in vivid detail the behaviors and habitats of the world's most captivating yet elusive animal.
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Hilarious. (New York Magazine)
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Amusing and insightful. (Boston Herald)
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A delightful field-study of the habits of the rich and famous, full of acutely observed insights. --Frans de Waal, author of The Ape and the Sushi Master
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"Conniff proves that his naturalist's approach to understanding the rich...really does generate insights and even understanding." Boston Herald
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"Clever, perceptive and unfailingly interesting." Jonathan Yardley
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"Droll and delightful....Conniff's charm and fun-loving approach make his book a pleasure from start to finish." Washington Post
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"A clever, invaluable zoomorphic study with a wealth of information on what makes the rich tick." New York Sun
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"A feast of research findings...[Conniff's] archly comic tone matches his subjects perfectly." Kirkus Reviews
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"Amusing and insightful." New York Times Book Review
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Hilarious. --Dallas Morning News
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Conniff [is] Truman Capote-and Dominick Dunne-like...a valuable field guide...endlessly fascinating. --New York Magazine
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Conniff manages to pull off the ideal mixture of detached amusement and actual scientific fieldwork. --San Diego Union-Tribune
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This book...may change for ever our perception of the urge to make money. --The Day
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A witty compendium of gossip, anecdotes, history and sociobiological research. --The Financial Times
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A literate, gossipy and altogether engaging romp. --Town and Country
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As one who has long had a fascination with the idiosyncrasies of the possessors of great wealth, I was intrigued with Richard Conniff's book The Natural History of the Rich. It is anecdotal, witty, and wonderfully informative. --Smithsonian Magazine
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In this witty, well-written field guide, Richard Conniff studies the rich as a biologist studies the mighty mountain gorilla. In the process, he brings the rich down to earth as not only merely human, but distinctly animal. --Dominick Dunne
Synopsis
Journalist Richard Conniff probes the age-old question "Are the rich different from you and me?" and finds that they are indeed a completely different animal. He observes with great humor and finesse this socially unique species, revealing their strategies for ensuring dominance and submission, their flourishes of display behavior, the intricate dynamics of their pecking order, as well as their unorthodox mating practices. Through comparisons to other equally exotic animals, Conniff uncovers surprising commonalities. • How did Bill Gates achieve his single greatest act of social dominance by being nice? • How does the flattery of the rich resemble the grooming behavior of baboons? • What made the British aristocracy the single most successful animal dominance hierarchy in the history of the planet? • How does Old Money's disdain for the nouveaux riches resemble the pig-grunting of mountain gorillas? This marvelously entertaining field guide captures in vivid detail the behaviors and habitats of the world's most captivating yet elusive animal.
Synopsis
How did Bill Gates achieve his single greatest act of social dominance by being nice? How does the flattery of the rich resemble the grooming behavior of baboons? What made the British aristocracy the single most successful animal dominance hierarchy in the history of the planet? How does Old Money's disdain for the nouveaux riches resemble the pig-grunting of mountain gorillas This marvelously entertaining field guide captures in vivid detail the behaviors and habitats of the world's most captivating yet elusive animal. "
Synopsis
A tantalizing, droll study of the idiosyncratic existence of the very rich, through the unexpected lens of the naturalist.
About the Author
Richard Coniff, a Guggenheim Fellow and winner of the National Magazine Award, writes for Smithsonianand National Geographicand is a frequent commentator on NPR's All Things Consideredand a guest columnist for the New York Times. His books include The Natural History of the Rich, Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time, and The Species Seekers. He lives in Old Lyme, Connecticut.