Synopses & Reviews
Monkeys populate our culture, from the adorable hijinks of Curious George and the loyal friendship between Aladdin and Abu to the menacing gait of the winged ones in The Wizard of Oz. We visit them in zoos and even sometimes keep them as pets andagrave; la Catherine de Medici and Michael Jackson. As renowned zoologist Desmond Morris shows, it is not surprising that we are so attracted to them. While we sometimes view monkeys as trivial or comic, their mischievousness is delightful, and their urge to explore and love of activity fascinate us.and#160;Monkey unpacks human attitudes toward these animals, tracing our connection with them throughout history. andshy;Morris reveals that our fascination with monkeys extends through many cultures and erasandmdash;ancient Egyptians revered baboons, monkey deities featured prominently in ancient Chinese and Japanese religions, and sacred status was given to the langur monkey by some groups in India. He also describes how our relationship with monkeys has changed since Darwin, and even become more troubledandmdash;this in-depth knowledge of our own origins amplifies our identification with and concern for the idea of monkeysandrsquo; primitivism and destructive behaviors. Drawing a vibrant picture of these beguiling animals and their continued popularity with humans, Monkey brings a new understanding to our complicated relationship with the ever-curious George.
Review
"The sometimes unsettling encounter with a rea Chronicle Review
Review
and#8220;A strength of Desmond Morrisand#8217;s
Monkey is his unsettling portrayal of how thoroughly our own primate species is willing to exploit its near relatives.and#8221;
Synopsis
From Edward Learand#8217;s and#8220;The Owl and the Pussycatand#8221;to David Lynchand#8217;s Twin Peaks, owls have been woven into the fabric of popular culture. At times they are depicted as dignified, wise old scholars and at other times as foreboding voyeurs who see all and interrogate with an accusatory, and#8220;Who? Who?and#8221; In Owl best-selling author Desmond Morris explores the natural and cultural history of these predators of the night who embody both good and evil in turn.
In this fascinating book, Morris describes the evolution, the many species, and the wide spread of owls across the globe. Owls are found on every land mass around the world, with the exception of Antarctica; and as a result of their wide distribution, owls appear in the folktales, myths, and legends of many native peoplesand#8212;in addition to popular art, film, and literature worldwide. Featuring over 100 telling illustrations from nature and culture, Owl will appeal to the numerous fans of this enigmatic bird, from the friendly Mr. Owls to silent, sinister, hunters of the dark.
Synopsis
From Edward Lear s The Owl and the Pussycat to David Lynch s Twin Peaks, owls have been woven into the fabric of popular culture. At times they are depicted as dignified, wise old scholars and at other times as foreboding voyeurs who see all and interrogate with an accusatory, Who? Who? In Owl best-selling author Desmond Morris explores the natural and cultural history of these predators of the night who embody both good and evil in turn.
In this fascinating book, Morris describes the evolution, the many species, and the wide spread of owls across the globe. Owls are found on every land mass around the world, with the exception of Antarctica; and as a result of their wide distribution, owls appear in the folktales, myths, and legends of many native peoples in addition to popular art, film, and literature worldwide. Featuring over 100 telling illustrations from nature and culture, Owl will appeal to the numerous fans of this enigmatic bird, from the friendly Mr. Owls to silent, sinister, hunters of the dark.
"
About the Author
Desmond Morris is a well-known and critically acclaimed writer and broadcaster. His many books include The Naked Ape, The Human Zoo, and The Human Animal. For several years he was the host of the television program Zootime, and in 1959 he was appointed Curator of Mammals at the London Zoo.
Table of Contents
Introductionand#160;1and#160;and#160;and#160; Prehistoric Owls2and#160;and#160;and#160; Ancient Owls3and#160;and#160;and#160; Medicinal Owls4and#160;and#160;and#160; Symbolic Owls5and#160;and#160;and#160; Emblematic Owls6and#160;and#160;and#160; Literary Owls7and#160;and#160;and#160; Tribal Owls8and#160;and#160;and#160; Owls and Artists9and#160;and#160;and#160; Typical Owls10and#160; Unusual Owlsand#160;TimelineAppendix: Classification of OwlsReferencesBibliographyAssociations and WebsitesPhoto AcknowledgementsIndex