Animal Wise: Book Review & Giveaway
A new book (release date: Feb.26, 2013), Animal Wise: The Thoughts and Emotions of our Fellow Creatures by science writer Virginia Morrel is an awe-inspiring journey towards a deeper understanding of animals. Each chapter shines new light on different animals from ants to rats, elephants to dolphins with insightful exchanges and observations from the author and animal behavior scientists she visits all over the world. In a delicious irony, the only mention of cats is in reference to a renowned research scientist on dogs, who has never owned a dog and prefers cats as pets.
Some of the discoveries that most intrigued me: rats laugh while play wrestling, crows create and shape tools by design, dolphins are pan-sexual, parrots in the wild only mimic other parrots and fish do feel pain. I’m not about to go vegan but I will think twice about what I eat after reading this well researched and engaging book. Animal lovers will be amused, saddened and hopefully gain more respect for creatures who not so long ago were thought of as automatons without thoughts or feelings.
We have a long way to go towards living in harmony with animals on this planet–both wild and domestic but this book opens the door to new conversations. With new awareness deeper changes can take root. I know, the next time I see a crow or blue jay in my garden or a rat scurrying on the subway tracks in Manhattan, I’ll feel more compassionate.
The author wisely posits no solutions and the scientists to be taken seriously must have proof. They can’t veer towards anthropomorphism and yet time and time again examples are shown how animals are more like us than we dare think.
I am grateful Morell mentions a riveting blog Extinction Countdown in Scientific American about endangered species around the world.
Would you like to win a copy of Animal Wise? Simply leave a comment at this post before midnight, March 2, 2013. The winner will be announced next Sunday. For extra chances of winning, social media share via any of the buttons below and mention it in your comment.
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I received a review copy which in no way influenced this review.
30 Comments
Tasha O
I’m intrigued with animals. Love to watch them. I have 5 cats and a gerbil. 🙂
Jennifer E
We have so much to learn from animals. We’ve only just begun.
Crystal
This sounds totally fascinating!
Andrea
I have to read this book. I’ve seen blurbs about it recently. Does she cite resources so we can check them out? I need a resource like this.
I am a vegetarian myself and would probably find this reaffirming in my moments of weakness. Thanks for reviewing it!
Connie
I would love to have this book. I’ve always believed animals
had reasoning abilities. Had personalities. You see signs of it in the deserts and farm fields and timber.
Now, someone told me grass and trees and plants could feel pain.
Luckily I don’t have grass to mow anymore. LOL
Beverly
I’d like reading this.
Margot C
I try not to go to far with the projecting of human sentience on animals because (as you point out one might just go made or at least feel compelled to be a vegetarian); that said it is obvious to me that Leonardo not only thinks and feels but that he is a genius.
Judi Daly
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.
Oui Oui
It sounds like a great book!
Ms. Phoebe
My Mom has always known that a cat’s intelligence, both intellectual and emotional, are superior to that of most humans. She developed this knowledge through keen observation- and all the years I’ve spent training her in the ways of the feline and how best to serve us, of course! MOL! I would love to win her a copy of this book.
I also tweeted about this giveaway @MsPhoebecat
Penelope
This sounds like a really interesting book. Living in the middle of nowhere I an no longer amazed at the intelligence of animals. How the coyotes try to attract the town dogs (ummm lunch), Hhow the bears know to leave the campground alone (that means relocation) but will canvas the town looking for a garbage can, how the crows use many many tools and Kozmo as their minion! They watch as he plays with his mice and when he is done playing with them, he carefully places them in the driveway for the crows. They let him have his fun and he lets them have the mouse. It was so fun to watch them train him.
I am rambling, must be the cold meds…
Ciao
Nellie’s Mom
Shelley
I love animals and I love reading books so this giveaway would be perfect for me to win!
TJ Bennett
I would love a chance to get a copy of this book.
maggie
I’d like to read the book. Thanks for posting this giveaway.
Maggie
Brian
Wemwill passmcause we just read it, but we highly recommend it!
Abby
Sounds like a very intriguing book!
Amy Jarratt
I love books & love to read especially anything about animals
Edward Trumbo
It will take time to undo the damage wroght by fools like Descartes (and unfortunately, those of my faith) but work like this will help.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Yes, books like this are needed more than ever with so many species on the brink of extinction.
CarolRae
This says it all for me… The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated…Mahatma Gandhi.
donna
It sounds great i love to read about animals i hope to win and then donate the book to my local library so all can enjoy.
Wendy S
I’ve heard of this book and what an exciting opportunity to win one. Thank you : )
meowmeowmans
Wow, that sounds absolutely fascinating! I’d love to read that book. Thank you for having this giveaway! 🙂
Terri Blair Maracle
Living in the country, I see the animals come and go as the seasons change. I find the robins most interesting. When the arrive in the spring, the ‘claim’ a part of the property between the house and the water. They puff out their chests and run, yes run, at other birds who come into their territory. We spend many sunny days being totally amused by ‘our’ robins.
Here’s hoping I have a chance to win the new book!!
Katnip Lounge
This sounds like a book right up my alley! People tend to forget that we’re animals, too.
Milene
Looks like an interesting book, I would love to read it.
Sparky Spitfire
Hey! can we be greedy and enter for another give away! We are loving “Another Insane Devotion,” but you know. Just thinking ahead to the next good read…;-D
Skeeter and Izzy
All creatures great and small…….
Luv Skeeter and Izzy >^..^<
Cynthia Southern
I find all animals fascinating. I have two cats and adore dogs too. We have geese who stay in our neighborhood year round. They do things like sit on the cold ice in ponds. I wonder why they do this. Perhaps this book will answer that and a myriad of other questions I have about animal behavior. I shared on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest (in the animals folder).
Morgan Eckstein
The crows and magpies in my neighborhood are extremely intelligent–I have watched them lunch line the cat food bowl on the porch while one of them stands guard duty.