The Naked Ape

This is a very adult book, very graphic and actually quite fun; by the funnest and most entertaining book i have seen so far.  The chapter on sex is fascinating.  I have spent hours at zoos and seen all different kinds of animals mating but it always fascinates me to see how other animals procreate and it’s qutie obvious the great apes (Chimpanzees, Gorillas and Orangutans) are the animals that mate most like us.

After the acknowleedgements and introduction, there are 9 main chapters in the Naked Ape:

1. Origins
2. Sex
3. Rearing
4. Exploration
5. Fighting
6. Feeding
7. Comfort
8. Animals
9. Appendix: Literature
10. Bibliography

Desmond Morris graduated from college in 1951 with a first class degree in zoology and went on to work at the Lond Zoo, heading the mammal department.  Not only is Morris a zoologist and author, he is also a surrealist painter.  He has also worked with chimpanzees in the 1950’s, training them to also paint.

This book is a reminder to humans that we are, in fact, just an animal.  We are a special animal in the family of the great apes, evolving from the same great apes millions of years ago.  Humans have evolved into an amazing being with many faults, but this ground breaking book was one of the first to really look at humans as animals and compare our complex lives with those other animals that we share this earth with.While this book is dated, it is still a very interesting and entertaining read.

For further reading, please check out all of the animal books that i have reviewed.  Also please feel free to check out some of my animal pictures that i have taken!

Tree of Origin by Frans de Waal is a  wonderful book that looks to the chimpanzees and other primates to learn about how our early human ancestors probably would have behaved and lived.

If you have ever spent a few minutes watching Chimpanzees, Bonobos, Orangutans or Gorillas at a zoo you may have noticed how they have moments of very “human-like” behavior.  I find this very fascinating and it always makes me wonder if we are in fact related to the Bonobos and Chimpanzees, something i’m quite sure of now.

Tree of Origin, which was published in 2001, is an amazing book with 9 of the world’s top primate experts who each add their own knowledge in explaining how the Great Apes behavior is a hint at how the early humans evolved into what we are today.

Jane Goodall gave a quote on the back of the book, which i think gives you a good idea at how important this book is to the scientific community:

The last few decades have seen enormous progress in the study of primate behavior.  Nine of the world’s leading experts team up tot ell us what it all means, throwing new light on human evolution.

The Similarities Between Humans and Primates

Frans de Waal brings up some interesting topics that us humans have in common with the great apes.  For instance, Tree of origin covers  how different groups of Chimpanzees use different tools suited to their environment.  They also look at how the chimpanzees will set off on hunting parties and patrol their neighborhood for unwanted trespassers.  The book also talks about social customs that set each ape community apart, which sounds very human like too.

Who Should Buy this Book

If you are interested in how humans evolved than this book is deffinitly for you.  If you are fascinated with monkeys and Great Apes at zoos, you should read this book.  If you want to figure out more about the Bonobo Chimpanzees and how human like they are, please pick up this book.

Since this book was published in 2001 it may be a bit difficult to find.  My best suggestion is to try your local library first, and if they do not have it amazon or ebay will surely have it.

For further reading, please check out all of the animal books that i have reviewed.  Also please feel free to check out some of my animal pictures that i have taken!

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.