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Customer Reviews (3)

Five Littile Monkeys Sitting in a Tree
The book Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree is about five little monkeys that go on a picnic with their mother. While mother sits down to take a snooze the five little monkeys climb a tree to watch Mr. Crocodile. The five little sitting in a tree tease Mr. Crocodile can't catch me, then along comes Mr. Crocodile and SNAP!! Where did all the monkeys go?? The lesson in this story is not to tease crocodiles, you never know what can happen. The age level on this book I would say would be 4 to 8 years old. I woluld deffinetly recremend this book!!

The five little monkeys are at it again!
My daughter (4) has almost worn out her copies of Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed and Don't Wake Up Mama, so I bought her this and Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do. They are already bedtime favorites--they are bright and colorful, the rhymes are lots of fun and the stories are appealing to kids. She loves to sit and 'read' them to herself after we have read them to her and tucked her in for the night. She falls asleep with these books in her bed quite regularly. We love the Five Little Monkeys!

Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree
The engaging pictures, suprise ending and repeated phrases in this book are the perfect way to get young children excited about subtraction! As a family of five monkeys goes on a picnic, they begin teasing an alligator. One by one, the monkeys disappear as the crocodile snaps its teeth. Children can count the monkeys that are left, after each time the alligator snaps and join in on the "Can't catch me" line that is repeated. It seems to be a predictable book, slowly loosing one monkey each time the alligator comes. However, the ending is suprising, and some children are able to find clues in the pictures that lead to finding out the suprise ending. This book is a great way for parents or teachers to introduce subtraction in a meaningful way! I highly recommend it. :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Children's 4-8   3. Children: Kindergarten   4. Counting   5. Crocodiles   6. Fiction   7. Monkeys   8. Stories in rhyme   9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

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Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent autobiography for young people as well as adults.
My 8 year old was assigned to do her monthly book report on a biography. She wanted to read about Abraham Lincoln... until she found out she had to dress up as the book's subject! Regrouping with a week to go and a driving vacation looming, I rushed to ...to find a children's biography available in audio download... and stumbled upon this gem. We all listened to the (abridged) audio version on the trip, and I do think that hearing it read by the author added a great deal. My daughter read the unabridged book with fascination when we got home, though I suspect she might have had more difficulty relating to the book had she not heard Jane Goodall speak her own words first. At any rate, the report (outfitted with khakis, a notebook, and a velcro-handed stuffed chimp) was a great success, and my daughter has met a role model of determination, compassion, and wisdom.

A Heart-warming Adventure
An excellent book! Reading about the extraordinary life Jane Goodall has led is fascinating in itself. Add to it the personalities of the chimps you get to know as you read the book and the adventures Jane Goodall has experienced, and you have a fascinating read. Other reviews recommend this book to children, I recommend it for adults as well. I am thirty-something years young and cried when I read parts of this. Dr. Goodall's love for these animals really comes through.

Boring!
This book was so broing I couldn't even get through the whole thing. She was putting me to sleep! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Biography   3. Biography & Autobiography - General   4. Biography & Autobiography - Science & Technology   5. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography   6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   7. Chimpanzees   8. England   9. Gombe Stream National Park   10. Juvenile Nonfiction   11. Juvenile literature   12. Nature - Environmental Conservation & Protection   13. Primatologists   14. Tanzania   15. Zoologists   16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

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Customer Reviews (2)

This is a great book for pre-schoolers and early readers!!!
This series by Margaret Rey is a wonderful introduction for preschoolers to stories with a simple plot line. In Curious George Visits the Zoo, George gets into mischief (which children can always relate to....) but redeems himself in the end by saving a young boy's balloon. In Curious George Visits the Fire Station, George is naughty when he rings the fire alarm, but again shows his better side when he rescues one of the firehouse puppies by climbing UP the firepole. In Curious George and the Pizza, he makes a mess trying his hand at tossing pizza dough into the air, but saves the day when he alone can make a crucial pizza delivery by climbing over a locked gate. Young children enjoy comparing the plots in this series. George is told not to get into trouble, he gets into trouble, then he exonerates himself. Parents, grandparents, teachers and child-care providers will all enjoy this series along with their youngsters!

I LIKE THE BOOK ALOT.
THE BOOK WAS A ABOUT GOERGE WHEN HE WENT TO THE ZOO AND THE MONKEY TOOK A BALOON FROM A LITTE BOY AND GEROGE GOT SOME BANANAS FROM A ZOO KEEPER. THEN HE GAVE THE BANANAS TO THE MONKEYS. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure   2. Animals - Zoos   3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   4. Children: Babies & Toddlers   5. Fiction   6. Humorous Stories   7. Monkeys   8. Zoological gardens   9. Zoos   10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

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Customer Reviews (12)

A totally cool window cleaning company!!!
It's about a very special window cleaning company who doesn't use ladders. The girrafe is the ladder ,the pelly is the bucket, and the monkey cleans the windows.It's a very funny book!!!

It's a Great Book!
The Giraffe, the Pelly, and Me is a great book because it's funny and exciting. Especially since there are animals in it. I read it in two days because it's an eye-sticking book. (meaning you can't keep your eyes off it) It starts off dull, but it keeps getting more exciting as the book goes on. By the time you're done, you will be glad you read it. The story starts off as a boy wanting to go inside an old FOR SALE candy store and always dreams of buying it. To find out if he ever gets inside it, you have to read the book. I also recommened reading it at school. I'm sure you'll love it.

Pure Delight!
I have been a Ronald Dahl fan since I was a kid. As a child, I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its sequel. I recently discovered The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me.

It is pure delight! The characters, and plot are fun and unexpected. It is full of humor and surprises. Good and silly to the very last page. My children loved it.

As a mom, I love that Ronald Dahl does not 'talk down' to children in his books. The vocabulary is rich and flows beautifully.

Fun for any age, I recommend it especially for a family read aloud. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Animals - Marine Life   3. Candy   4. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General   5. Children: Grades 3-4   6. Classics   7. Fiction   8. Giraffe   9. Humorous Stories   10. Juvenile Fiction   11. Monkeys   12. Pelicans   

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Customer Reviews (2)

Fine Curious George book
My son is two years old, and loves this Curious George book. Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop was not written by H.A. Rey, the creator of Curious George. Rather, the book was adapted from a Curious George video.

Still, it's a great story.

The Man With the Yellow Hat leaves George in the custody of Mr. Herb, at Mr. Herb's new ice cream shop. When George is unattended, he jumps on the counter, and begins adding scoops of various flavors to Mr. Herb's order! Later, he hops onto a counter near a window looking into the street. His antics draw a crowd of onlookers, and suddenly Mr. Herb has more ice cream orders than he can handle!

As always, the mischievous George escapes any real trouble, while having a lot of fun. Everything turns out well. While this book is no masterpiece, I think most Curious George fans will enjoy it.

Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop
Once again George gets into mischief when the man in the yellow hat is not looking. George keeps us in stitches as he goes from one flavor to the next. Who wouldn't want to try ALL the flavors in the ice cream shop? This is a lovely book, and my students especially enjoyed reading it the day we made our own homemade ice cream! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure   2. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   4. Children: Babies & Toddlers   5. Fiction   6. Humorous Stories   7. Ice cream parlors   8. Ice cream, ices, etc   9. Ice cream, ices, etc.   10. Monkeys   11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

For three decades, primatologist Roger Fouts has been involved in language studies of the chimpanzee, the animal most closely related to human beings. Among his subjects was the renowned Washoe, who was "endowed with a powerful need to learn and communicate," and who developed an extraordinary vocabulary in American sign language. Another chimpanzee, Fouts writes, "never made a grammatical error," which turned a whole school of linguistic theory upside down. While reporting these successes, Fouts also notes that chimpanzees are regularly abused in laboratory settings and that in the wild their number has fallen from 5,000,000 to fewer than 175,000 in the last century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

The closest you'll ever come to knowing another species
Roger Fouts has written an extraordinary book that combines insight with scientific fact as he relates his experiences with a special chimpanzee who changed the direction of his life. As a graduate student in experimental psychology at the University of Nevada, Fouts is given an assistantship to "teach a chimpanzee to talk" using modified American Sign Language, and thus begins his introduction to impishly clever Washoe. Washoe is in almost every sense a "person", with specific character traits, likes and dislikes, habits and methods. When she is in danger of being dumped into a medical facility at the end of the study, Fouts fights to protect her against the woefully inadequate laws and accepted scientific procedures. His battle not only for Washoe but for all captive chimpanzees becomes the focus of his career. Because Washoe and her companions have the ability to express themselves, this is at times a heartbreaking tale as Fouts and the reader discover how closely related chimps and humans truly are. Through his passionate storytelling and his breadth of knowledge, Fouts gives readers an intimate glimpse into these fascinating non-human lives.

I cannot express adequately how moving and instructive this account is. It will affect you on a deeply emotional level - I can't imagine how anyone can emerge from this story unchanged. I highly recommend this book for all readers, from teenagers to adults, from casual to serious readers.

There is hope for humanity.
One of the problems in reading a lot is that it becomes difficult to find books that provide substance, an opportunity to learn and a riveting subject. I am pleased to advise that this book does all of this and more. Roger Fouts does not claim to be a hero. In fact, he confesses to being disappointed, confused, even weak at times. All the more reason to admire his dedication to his subjects and his refusal to buckle under severe pressure. This book gives the reader an opportunity to visit with and begin to understand another species, to develop some understanding of another language, to understand the history and development of the human species along with the workings of academia and the "scientific" mind (and you thought "Freddy" was scary!). At times it is heartwarming, at others it touches on the cold, cruel, self-absorption that humans are capable of. It well demonstrates the belief that "evil is possible where empathy is absent". This book underlines our responsibility to all life on Earth to act with respect and caring towards all species. Reading about Washoe, her family and her friends will not always be easy but it will change you for the better. They teach us about our own humanity. They also provide strong reinforcement and inspiration for those who sometimes feel isolated and alone in their journey to protect the voiceless.

Astounding
This book weaves together behavioral research, child psychology, linguistics, oncology, evolution, animal rights and a simple story of two friends who each learn incredible things from the other. The story was so intriguing no matter what topic was being covered that I read all 400 pages in 3 1/2 days. At the risk of sounding melodramatic I literally laughed out loud at points, and broke down in tears at others. Next of Kin demonstrates what man can do at his best as well as his worst. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys   2. Biography   3. Essays   4. Experimental psychologists   5. General   6. Human-animal communication   7. Nature   8. Nature / Field Guide Books   9. Nature/Ecology   10. Sign Language   11. United States   12. Washoe (Chimpanzee)   13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Sign Language   

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Customer Reviews (8)

One of my granddaughter's favorites
When I visited my ... granddaughter recently, she "read" this book aloud to me, having committed to memory every page. The book is absolutely charming! She loves it at her age, but it would have been one of those books like GOODNIGHT MOON that she would have loved as a less than year old baby. From now on this book, not nearly as well known as MOON, will be one of those that I give to new mothers and their babies. Simply charming!

Its her favorite!
This is my 18 month old's favorite book for the past several months! She picks it out time and time again. She loves all the animals and the part where I sing Happy Birthday to Gorilla (and she pretends to blow out the candles). She likes to fetch different stuffed animals to read this book with her--she'll "point out to them" the page that they are featured on! (Its got every animal from a lion to a zebra, to a elephant...of course her stuffed gorilla is ever present for the reading of this book!)

Little Gorilla captured my son's heart!
This book is one of my 18 month old's two MUST READS before bedtime. (along with Goodnight Moon) It is a cute story about the gorilla, and how everybody loves him - from when he was one day old, to when he grew to be big. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks   3. Children: Preschool   4. General   5. Juvenile Fiction   6. Social Situations - Friendship   7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

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Customer Reviews (5)

Curious George rides a bike
This book Curious George rides a bike is about monkey who gets a bike because it is the
mans and George's third year sense they meet. So George is a very curious monkey and
he is not aloud to ride his bike past his house but George does. George goes off and gets
into trouble.
This book teaches a lesson about listening to your gardian.
It teaches that by when George goes off and gets into trouble with the circus because he
feeds the ostterage a flute. The ring master told him not to feed the ostterage any thing
because it will eat anything that you give it.
This books age level is from five and up. It is this age level because it could teach kids
when there young to listen to there parent.
I think that the book was good it had a little bit of a adventure to it. It also tought a
lesson which I though was good also.

A Little Too Long, But Still Fun
Curious George's new bike leads him to an extended adventure delivering newspapers, making a regatta of paper boats (there are instructions on how to make one!), and visiting a circus after wrecking the front wheel.

George is not quite as innocent here as in his other books. He's a little more like Mr. Toad, doing some things he knows he shouldn't do, and he's not always very careful. Still, his exuberance and the winning 1950's illustrations are a delight. As usual, George gets into trouble with people, but eventually he rescues one of the circus animals and is hailed as a hero.

It's true that George gets into an circus wagon with two strangers... Be sure to advise your own little monkey not to take rides with strangers. But if that upsets you, you might as well also explain that circuses are often not very animal-friendly. A little too long compared with the simple joys of other George books, but this does extend the curious monkey's adventures to somewhat older kids. Lots of action in the 48 pages, with no more than one to three short paragraphs of text per page.

This is what spoiled it for me...
George was out playing alone when he encountered two men in a vehicle whom he had NEVER met before. They were friendly and told him that he was talented. The next thing we know is that the three of them get into the cab and drive off. Oh dear !!
This isn't the sort of thing I'd wish to encourage, would you ?

One positive thing about the tale is that it provoked discussion about
never going away with strangers even if they seem nice.
We like the Curious George books and appreciate the fact that they were written quite some time ago, but when reading to impressionable kids it's good to make sure that you approve of the content. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   3. Children: Grades 1-2   4. Classics   5. Fiction   6. Humorous Stories   7. Juvenile Fiction   8. Monkeys   9. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous   10. Stories   11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

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Customer Reviews (1)

Educators Recommend
In this simple, rhyming tale a young chimpanzee tells of the love, protection, and caring his mother bestows upon him. In addition, Mama is "quite inventive, strong, and brave, and very attentive." In return, the chimp loves his mama: "She is the twinkle in my eye, my heart's pitter-patter . . . my star in the sky."

The illustrations, done in oil pastels and colored pencils, are outstanding. A plethora of lush greens, blues, and browns flow off the pages, making the jungle scenes and the animals come alive. Each double-page spread contains a phrase or a sentence in big, bold type.

An excellent choice for story time. Perfect also for Mother's Day.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Children's Baby - Picturebooks   3. Children: Preschool   4. Chimpanzees   5. Family - Parents   6. Fiction   7. General   8. Juvenile Fiction   9. Mother and child   10. Mother-child relationship   11. Preschool Picture Story Books   12. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings   13. Stories in rhyme   

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Customer Reviews (2)

4 ½ Georgie Dans Le Forest
When the now iconic Man in the Big Yellow Hat warns Curious George,"now don't wander off and get into trouble," we know exactly what's about to happen instead (especially since he had already rushed off). Despite his good intentions, George adventures turn into misadventures: Dousing someone's campfire, getting lost with a galloping deer, and being sprayed by a skunk that George thought was a cat. As usual in these series (story by Margret Rey, with illustrations by a team in the style of the late H.A. Rey), George's curiosity also leads to some monkey heroics. He also learns how to get rid of skunk smell (a vat of tomato juice).

Given its forest setting, this is a somewhat quieter 'George book,' but there are soft forest and animal drawings and enough action for the small ones. Curious George is now "a registered trademark of the Houghton Mifflin," but the company encourages young readers to look for the 'original adventures about Curious George' by the Reys. 24 pages, with pencil and watercolor illustrations on each one.

Curious George Goes Camping
All six of my children have loved Curious George books and I have to read them to them until they have memorized them. In this book George get in to mischief as usual but all ends up well in the end, of course. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure   2. Camping   3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   4. Children: Grades 1-2   5. Fiction   6. Humorous Stories   7. Monkeys   8. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous   9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   10. Ages 4 - 8   11. Grades PreK - 3   12. Picture Book   

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Customer Reviews (3)

A beautiful work of portraiture
"My Family Album" catalogs 30 years of de Waal's black and white photographs of both wild and captive primates. The bulk of the shots are of chimps and bonobos, but a third are of monkeys and there are striking photographs all around. While the principle effect of the book is to get across the intelligence, complexity and beauty of these fellow animals, there are enough funny faces for the book to work on that level.

A loving photographic tribute
Noted primatologist Frans de Waal has put together a beautifully printed pictorial tribute to primates. In high quality black-and-white photographs, he documents similarities and differences among non-human primates in areas as diverse as play, confrontation, sex, familial ties, and social activities. The accompanying text describes not only the meaning behind the pictures but also, in true de Waal form, how they relate to human behavior. Although de Waal is a scientist, this concise and clearly written book is meant for the lay reader.

De Waal's specialty is the study of non-human primates in captivity, so the majority of these photographs do not show monkeys and apes in their native habitat. Instead, you'll find remarkable close-ups of expressions and interactions that capture moments of the individual lives. Although de Waal is best known for his study of chimpanzees and bonobos, he includes photographs of macaques, capuchins, baboons, and snow monkeys.

This book is a real treat. I recommend it highly for anyone who has an interest in animal life.

They're not like us, they're unique
Frans de Waal's collection of primate portraits covers various species of monkeys in many social situations. Long hours spent with his subjects means that Waal had their total trust when photographing them. Thus, his subjects have a natural, unforced manner that allows their true nature to shine through. Waal's accomplishment, in this occasionally hilarious, frequently touching, but always fascinating collection of photographs is that he transcends the notion that the value of primates lies in how much they are like humans. His texts and pictures reveal them not as inferior versions of homo sapiens, but simply as @what they are: intelligent, sensitive, highly socially evolved creatures. This is a beautiful and fascinating book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General   2. Apes   3. Apes & Monkeys   4. Individual Photographer   5. Monkeys   6. Photoessays & Documentaries   7. Photography   8. Photography of primates   9. Pictorial works   10. Science/Mathematics   11. Sociology - General   12. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals   

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Customer Reviews (5)

Monkeeeeey Up!
There's a comforting familiarity about the "Curious George" books: The soft illustrations, the man in the yellow hat, and George's famous misadventures. Here, the man speaks the sentence that starts the mischief: "You stay here, but don't get into trouble." Say that one with a wink in your eye. As usual, George's playful antics get him into a little trouble, but (and also, "as usual") he winds up a hero. Well-illustrated, humorous, and soothing, it's the literary equivalent of hot chocolate on a cold day. Excellent for readers in around grades 1-3, as well as a great bedtime book for your young sports (or Curious George) fan.

What matters is...does your child like it?
After reading a few reviews of this book, I felt I had to write one. My 22 month old son has adored this book since he was about 15 months old. It is his absolute favorite. No, the illustrations aren't artwork. No, it's not going to win awards. But who cares! It's for the child - not the parent. My son (just like one of the other reviewer's child) shouts "foul ball!" and "you're out!" He looks for Jimmy's mother in the crowd and he points to his own feet when we get to the part where George picks up the ball with his feet. I think what matters is that it's a fun, easily understood story for toddlers - with bright, neat illustrations. Our paperback is so dog-eared, I logged on to order the hardback...and ended up writing a review. Give this book a try - the wonderful moments it will give you and your child are at the very least worth the few dollars the paperback costs.

Curious George Plays baseball
This book, and all of the books derived from the movies, are far worse than the average goerge books. Story is very simple, very brief, and has no creativity. Both of our kids are huge george fans (they even liked this one ok), but this is a pretty weak book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure   2. Baseball   3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   4. Children: Babies & Toddlers   5. Fiction   6. Humorous Stories   7. Monkeys   8. Sports & Recreation - Baseball   9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Apes & Monkeys   

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Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   3. Children's All Ages   4. Children: Kindergarten   5. Fiction   6. Friendship   7. General   8. Gifts   9. Juvenile Fiction   10. Monkeys   11. Preschool Picture Story Books   12. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings   13. Social Situations - Friendship   

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Customer Reviews (1)

Understanding Apes' Minds
Interesting book in which a team of researchers described their look deep into and experiences with apes. This team of researchers shows the social, psychological and behavioral apects of Apes and how they set them apart from another animals and humans, as well as how they are similar to humans.

Although I preferred Anne Russon's "Orangutans : Wizards of the Rain Forest", I would think this book would be interesting for anyone with interests in human and animal psychology. This book takes a much more in-depth look at the apes' psychology than Russon's "Wizards of the Rain Forest" book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal Intelligence   2. Apes   3. Apes & Monkeys   4. Cognitive Psychology   5. General   6. Nature   7. Primates   8. Psychology   9. Research & Methodology   10. Science   11. Animal behaviour   12. Apes--Psychology   13. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology   

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Customer Reviews (1)

Koko-Love is a wonderful, warm, funny book!
Children of any age--not just 4-8 year-olds--will love Koko-Love! It is full of fascinating information and photos all about Koko, the signing gorilla, and her family. Its humor and gentle friendliness will move all readers. It's hard to read this book without reassessing your view of animals! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   2. Biography   3. Children's 4-8 - Nature   4. Children: Grades 1-2   5. General   6. Gorilla   7. Human-animal communication   8. Juvenile Fiction   9. Juvenile literature   10. Koko (Gorilla)   

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Customer Reviews (1)

Essays on our roots
The greatest scientific quest is finding our place in Nature. This leading primatologist has collected a series of essays on primate behaviour in an outstanding effort aimed at answering that question. De Waal's credentials as a student of chimpanzee behaviour are well-known. He's joined here by researchers of equal status in presenting the most recent findings in the field. De Waal states in the Introduction that research in human behaviour falls into two camps - human beings are an entirely unique species or human evolutionary roots are visible in many of our related species. He and his fellow essayists adhere to the second theme, the one that has gained significant adherence over the past several decades of research. "The proliferation of research on monkeys and apes . . . has influenced the way we look at our place in nature."

This collection brings to view much of that research, a compendium long overdue in de Waal's estimation. His team provides new insights into primate behaviour. They combine the research finding with speculations on how modern monkeys and apes reflect the evolutionary roots of our own relations with each other. The topics covered show the impact of environment, the patterns of sex and reproduction, social organization and cognition. The collection addresses the "process of hominization" leading from ape-like ancestors to modern humans. If all this sounds like a series of lofty scientific pedantry, fear not. All the authors present their information in open, conversational style. Although the result of a scholarly seminar, the writing throughout is clear and unpretentious. Anyone interested in their evolutionary roots or in the status of the research will find this collection rewarding.

The quality of this compilation makes choice of place difficult, if not impossible. Each author presents new information and delightful analyses of the importance of the findings. Craig Stanford discusses the role of meat eating [not hunting] in building social relationships. Studied closely in the field in both ape and human societies, meat distribution and sex have a clear evolutionary role. Richard Wrangham carries this theme a step further in his analysis of the social role of food preparation - cooking. He stresses how early cooking must have emerged in hominid evolution and what its likely social impact was in our development. Richard Byrne extends this analysis to describe several forms of food acquisition and processing among various primate species.

If any issue transcends the others in the role of humanity, it is that of human cognition. To those contending only human cognitive abilities are worth studying, several authors respond that "evolution does not proceed by inspired jumps . . . but by accretion of beneficial variants" over time. In order to comprehend the evolutionary path of cognition, definitions are of primary importance. Cognition is here defined as "a species' package of information-processing capabilities" encompassing individual, social, technical and other skills. Robin Dunbar shows how these skills were likely reinforced through selectively chosen group size. He examines variations in primate group size and how these impact social behavior. Charles Snowdon addresses the mainstay of human "uniqueness" in an outline of language
development. In the final essay, William McGrew considers the question of "culture." What is it and how was it derived? McGrew refers to eight criteria, developed many years ago by Alfred Koeber, and applies them in a historical context. McGrew emphasizes that humans are not the only social species. Language enhanced abilities inherited from our predecessors.

This book addresses older ideas and breaks new ground. With a strong foundation in the intensive primate studies achieved during the past three decades, the collection calls for further studies in the field. What these will bring to light will increase our knowledge of where we fit in Nature. There are assuredly many surprises remaining to be revealed. Will you help search for answers to some of these questions? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys   2. Life Sciences - Evolution   3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology   4. Science   5. Science/Mathematics   

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Customer Reviews (3)

Unquestionably the best undergrad textbook
Anyone who teaches an intro to primates course will wish to assign this book to their students. There are a variety of textbooks on the subject available, and some of them are excellent. Fleagle's volume, however, is the only one that provides such a complete review of the fossil record and anatomical variation, as well as behavioral variation. It is concise, thorough, and complete, and the best of the choices available to an instructor in this subject.

a must-have
Can you study physical anthropology and not have this book? Probably not. If it hasn't been assigned to you as part of your education and you are serious about physical anthropology, you should buy this book right now. This book outlines the living primates as well as the extinct species in an easy to understand, easy to learn format. It has all the information you could ever need to know about living and extinct primates.

excellent source of reference for primatology enthusiasts
During college, I used this book extensively to gather initial information on primates. This book covers anywhere from the evolutionary relationship of primates, to the current dentition of any primate species. The book does an excellent job of cataloging primate species to be easily referenced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Physical   2. Apes & Monkeys   3. Archaeology / Anthropology   4. Life Sciences - Evolution   5. Life Sciences - Zoology - General   6. Nature   7. Nature/Ecology   8. Primate Physiology   9. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

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Customer Reviews (15)

Gorillas
Gorillas in the Mist, Dian Fosseyís own account of her life with the gorillas, was first published in by Hodder Mifflin in 1983. During Fossey's time in Africa, Fossey had a chance to live her dream with the mountain gorillas and learn about their fascinating characteristics and lifestyles. Fossey through her emotion and story, shows the peaceful life of the humble Gorilla. She also expresses the evils of man kind toward other species with her description of the poachers who hunted the Gorillas. The novel is inspiring and up lifting. Fosseys one woman struggle inspires readers to get up and act on beliefs no matter what the situation. It was such a heart breaker to find the Dian Fossey was murdered. Not only does Fossey express her emotions but she uses great scientific and technical support throughout the book. I recommend the book to any reader, especially animal lovers

An engrossing true book about the gentle giants of Africa.
From the moment you open this captivating non-fiction book about the mountian gorillas of the Virunga Mountains, you crave to know more of these "gentle giants". Written by the first serious mountain gorilla observer, Dian Fossey, it is the first book to tell of these great apes and their very human-like characteristics and behaviors. It also tells all too well the gorillas' struggles for "freedom" and their troubles with poachers, zoos, and most of the outside world.

Though it would be easy for the author to stray away from the gorillas to her own personal life, Ms. Fossey stays completely focused on her selfless journey to explain to the world that these gorillas are not beasts but "gentle giants". She beautifully paints the picture of the gorillas' close-knit families and groups, and the hostility that can be felt in or between groups. Ms. Fossey also wonderfully incorporates her own experiences with the gorillas to bring a human touch to the book and to show that humans and gorillas can have relationships and can be "friends". This book is a must and I would definetly recommend it for all audiences.

Dian Fossey's life and personality
In reality, Ms. Fossey is regarded by many as a sociopath who did more to kill gorillas than to help them. She would kidnap tribesmen's children as a means of "revenge" against those who messed with her gorillas. In embarking upon such immature acts, she triggered more hostilities with locals than ever. She was not a well-trained scientist, and would touch gorillas in the wild when it is well known that one is not supposed to. Well intentioned though she was, there is a lot about her that goes unmentioned. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apes & Monkeys   2. Behavior   3. Gorilla   4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology   5. Nature   6. Nature / Field Guide Books   7. Nature/Ecology   8. Nature / Apes & Monkeys   

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Subjects:  1. Africa   2. Africa - General   3. Animal communication   4. Apes   5. Behavior   6. History   7. History: World   8. Life Sciences - Zoology - Primatology   9. Science   10. Nature / Apes & Monkeys   

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Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Book!! My daughter loved it!
Naughty Little Monkeys is a terrific book! My daughter enjoyed every moment of this story. The pictures are vivid and fun. The Naughty Little Monkeys will have your child laughing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alphabet   2. Animals - Apes & Monkeys   3. Behavior   4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   5. Children: Kindergarten   6. Concepts - Alphabet   7. Fiction   8. Humorous Stories   9. Juvenile Fiction   10. Monkeys   11. Preschool Picture Story Books   12. Stories in rhyme