Archive for the ‘Animal Books News’ Category

Animals in Translation

Update:  Temple Grandin has recently published a new animal book titled Animals Make us Human and is a currently the #1 ranked zoology book at amazon!

Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery.

Temple Grandin has been known to crawl through slaughterhouses to get a sense of what the animals there are experiencing. An autistic woman who as a child was recommended for institutionalization, Grandin has managed not only to enter society’s mainstream but ultimately to become prominent in animal research.

An associate professor at Colorado State University, she designs facilities used worldwide for humane handling of livestock. She also invented a “hug machine” (based on a cattle-holding chute) that calms autistic children. In Animals in Translation, co-authored with science writer Catherine Johnson, Grandin makes an intriguing argument that, psychologically, animals and autistic people have a great deal in common—and that both have mental abilities typically underestimated by normal people.

The book is a valuable, if speculative, contribution to the discussion of both autism and animal intelligence, two subjects on which there is little scientific consensus. Autistics, in Grandin’s view, represent a “way station” between average people, with all their verbal and conceptual abilities, and animals. In touring animal facilities, Grandin often spots details—a rattling chain, say, or a fluttering piece of cloth—that disturb the animals but have been overlooked by the people in charge. She also draws on psychological studies to show how oblivious humans can be to their surroundings. Ordinary humans seem to be less detail-oriented than animals and autistics.

Grandin argues that animals have formidable cognitive capabilities, albeit specialized ones, whereas humans are cognitive generalists. Dogs are smell experts, birds are migration specialists, and so on. In her view, some animals have a form of genius—much as autistic savants can perform feats of memory and calculation far beyond the abilities of average people. Some dogs, for example, can predict when their owner is about to have a seizure. Delving into animal emotion, aggression and suffering, Grandin gives tips that may be useful for caretakers of pets and farm animals.

She also notes that humans seem to need, and thrive on, the proximity of animals. Indeed, she states provocatively, in the process of becoming human we gave up something primal, and being around animals helps us get a measure of that back.

Hello all, hope everyone is doing well!  I am happy to have a few comments on my earlier posts so i know atleast a couple people are watching this page.

I wanted to list some of my Animal Books that i own so that people could request a book review if it sounds interesting.  This way if you find yourself interested in one of my books i will quickly get the review up so you can have an idea on what the book is about.

Also i would like to take this time to request suggestions for my site and also to let people know they can message me with questions, comments or book suggestions.  With that being said, onto the upcoming book reviews!

1. Animal Wise, The spirit Language and Signs of Nature, by Ted Andrews
2. Chimpanzee Politics, Power and sex among apes (25th Anniversary Edition), by Frans de Waal
3. National Geographic’s The Great Apes, Between Two Worlds, Photographs and essays by Michael Nichols
4. Smithsonian Institution’s ANIMAL, the definitive Visual Guide to the World’s Wildlife, Editors-in-Chief David Burnie & Don E. Wilson
5. Animal Magick, The Art of Recognizing and Working with Familiars, by D.J. Conway
6. The Souls of Animals, by Gary Kowalski
7. Talking with Nature, by Michael J. Roads, author of Journey into Nature
8. Primates and Philosophers, How Morality Evolved, by Frans de Waal
9. Gorillas in the Mist, by Dian Fossey, the Gorilla woman
10. My Life with the Chimpanzees, the Fascinating Story of One of the World’s Most Celebrated Naturalists (Revised Edition), by Jane Goodall
11. Jane Goodall, The Woman Who Redefined Man, by Dale Peterson
12. Reason For Hope, A Spiritual Journey, by Jane Goodall with Phillip Berman
    
13. The Chimpanzees of Gombe, Patterns of Behavior, by Jane Goodall
14. Nature-Speak, Signs, Omens & Messages in Nature, by Ted Andrews
15. The Living Planet, by David Attenborough

So please do let me know which you would like to see first.  I will hope to do a book a day, maybe 2 or 3, maybe none but that is what i will shoot for.  I will also through in a few Nature books as well, since animals go hand in hand with nature.

A preview of 10 great Great Ape books that you should check out, including Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey Books

I would now like to share a few books in the primate department that i will review later on.  These are books are personally own and you can see the original photo i took on my flickr account.

1. Gorillas in the Mist – If Jane Goodall = Chimpanzees, Dian Fossey = Gorillas. This amazing story of her time in the wild researching Gorillas that concluded with her death in the mist. Really great book for Gorilla lovers, alot of black and white photos, graphs, drawings and maps. Study of MOUNTAIN GORILLAS, you know, the huge and cuddly looking ones that can not be seen in any zoo in the US.

2. Primates and Philosophers A series of essays published by Princeton, this is a hard read but super informative. Gain insight on why primates help others in need, stories of a spitting chimp, passive food sharing and more! A very good book.

3. The Ten Trusts – I think this is Jane’s best book. This is a book that if everyone read, the world would be perfect. I see this as equal to John Lennon’s Imagine. This book has changed my life more than any other book.
First 5 trusts:
1. Rejoice that we are part of the animal kingdom.
2. Respect all life.
3. Open our minds, in humility, to animals and learn from them.
4. Teach our children to Respect and love nature.
5. Be wise stewards of life on earth.

4. My Life with the Chimpanzees Biography of Jane Goodall, its great for kids and as an introduction to Jane. Remeber what its like to read childrens books? Pick this up and you will remember the lovely large font!

5. In the Shadow of Man Reprinted from 1971, Jane Goodal’s Masterpiece. Amazing stories, amazing photos and amazing primates (goodall and the chimps.) 64 pages of black and white photos.

6. Reason for Hope Once you understand the inner beauty of Jane, buy this book. A memoir of her life, its very touching. Lots of photos and stories of her growing up, that is my favorite part. See why she is the most important woman in science.

7. Jane Goodall Biography The mother of all Goodall books.. its quite thick. That is why i suggest first reading the childrens book 700 pages, 16 pages of black and white photos of mainly Jane – funny, there are almost as many baboon photos as chimp photos. Great for Goodall Fanatics

8. Chimpanzee Politics My newest book just purchased today. Will soon be a favorite. De Waal’s observation of Chimpanzees at the Arnhem Zoo (Burgers’ Zoo in Germany).

9. The Chimpanzees of Gombe – Patterns of Behavior This is by far my favorite book i own. Autographed by Goodall, 1st edition! 650 pages with a graph, map or photo on almost every page. Written like a textbook. Unmatched Chimpanzee knowledge learned. For Real.

10. The Great Apes – Between Two Worlds National Geographic book of the Great Apes. What does this mean? Guaranteed Super Photos! Full color book with amazing photos and stories of Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Orangutan and other lovers.

Welcome to Animal Books website! We specialize in reviewing as many animal related books! If this is your first visit, please check out the Animal Book List to see the different books i have already reviewed. You can also request certain books to be read, i visit the Library and bookstore often and will check out a book for you.

Please bookmark this site and visit often. You will also find Free Animal Wallpapers for your computer, and also check out my animal photos on flickr if you have a moment!