Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are Audiobook

" The subject is hot - evolutionary psychology is a hot subject now. The author is a well-known expert. His book on chimps politics is great and very practical. This book is more of a philosophical dispute and the main theme is that our behavior is very close to the apes' behavior. "

" After reading Desmond Morris, this was a refreshing look at human and primate behavior. A bit more balance, a bit more humility and compassion. "

" De Waal is actually a mentor of my previous instructor in the Spring of 2008. Fascinating read. "

" Very interesting. It took me a little longer to read this than usual mostly due to the fact I occasionally needed a short break, especially during the chapter on violence. However, it was never because to boredom. "

" After reading this, feel the urge to hoot softly, or scratch, while interacting with others. You think you're different from a damned, dirty ape? You're not. "

" I selected this book based on De Waal's reputation in primatology, interested in his thoughts on the root traits that define our human societies. Instead, he stumbled into politics often enough I finally set the book aside, unwilling to mix an objective study of science with a subjective analysis of world political problems. He could have cited a variety of international examples, but chose to concentrate on the USA and a few others, leaving me uncomfortable about his motives. I suggest he stick to science in his next book. "

" excellent. recommend this book to anyone interested in evolution and our primate ancestry. de Waal gives excellent examples from observation and from designed research in zoo primates that support his points. "

" Great book; social anthropology and primatology; fascinating look at human behavior and evolution; very simply written and very anecdotal, which makes the academic-style topic engaging and practical. "

" Enormously illuminating about the source of our humanity, shared with our primate brothers and sisters. "

" A very good read. It's always interesting to learn about primates as it's very natural to superimpose them on our lives and vice versa. I was especially intrigued by the discussion of Bonobos. It was the first time I'd really heard of them and De Waal provided a superb introduction. "

" Fun to read, but when you boil it down it's just a series of interesting anecdotes about apes. I still don't know why we are who we are. "

" There were some things I didn't agree with, but it was well-written. And it's nice to read something that's optimistic for once. "

" My cousin is a graduate student under Prof. de Waal, so this book was particularly interesting for me. Definitely worth a re-read to reinforce the nuances of insight that get blurred after a single pass. Like any non-fiction, the book is dense. However, it is quite readable. "

" What a fascinating (and humbling!) look at the connections between man and ape. Really makes you sit and ponder how much of your daily grind is driven by our shared legacy. "

" Clearly written and includes topics like power, sex, and violence. Who wouldn't want to read it. Facinating look at where we come from. "

" Bonobos are such wonderful creatures to be related to "

" Both insightful and entertaining, and you'll understand diplomats and their bizarre behaviour much better after having read this book! "

" Brilliant book by a primatologist who gives us an insight into who we humans truly are by showing us how similar we are to bonobos and chimps, our two closest genetic relatives. "

" I can barely stop reading this book long enough to shower and go to work - it is SO fascinating. My mind is being blown on every other page. For the first time, I regret living alone - I want to have an audience for all the amazing things I'm learning from this. Must. Read. More. Primatology! "

" To sum it up, I've never thought monkeys were this intelligent or humans this genetically predisposed. Leave it to a primatologist to describe naked ape behaviour. "

" a good intermediate book on evolution. for me, it was more like a review of a lot of other books i've already read (and often referred to those other books). despite that, i still got a lot out of it and enjoyed reading it quite a bit. "

" I learned that truth of the evolution of man couldn't be better corroborated by any other based on the insight of the bonobo psyche. "

" Interesting, but got a little too detailed at times. His emotional attachment to some of the chimps got in the way of what he was trying to say sometimes, I think. Still, some good stories and insights. "

" There were some things I didn't agree with, but it was well-written. And it's nice to read something that's optimistic for once. "

" Fun to read, but when you boil it down it's just a series of interesting anecdotes about apes. I still don't know why we are who we are. "

" This book really made me think more about my own animal-like behavior. It was wonderful to read, de Waal has had some amazing experiences in his career. "

" After reading Desmond Morris, this was a refreshing look at human and primate behavior. A bit more balance, a bit more humility and compassion. "

" Lucid, deep, and humorous description of what makes us human, or rather chimp and bonobo. "

" interesting, audio version was okay, some of what i learned i will apply to hbse class. must read more on benobos "

" I loved the book and have bought other books by de Waal, which I still have to read. "

" excellent. recommend this book to anyone interested in evolution and our primate ancestry. de Waal gives excellent examples from observation and from designed research in zoo primates that support his points. "

" Fascinating book that suggests the origins of our behavior can be observed in modern primatology. The thesis that no one creature is all good or all bad is particularly compelling. "

" De Waal's firsthand accounts of chimpanzee and bonobo social life make for a compelling read. His writing style is very personal, and I'm hoping that my students will find the book both engaging and provocative. "