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276 reviews for:
The Secret Life of Animals: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discovering a Hidden World
Peter Wohlleben
3.68 AVERAGE
276 reviews for:
The Secret Life of Animals: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discovering a Hidden World
Peter Wohlleben
3.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
To contextualize this review: I went into this book expecting either a heavily researched scientific text or a heart-rending appeal towards adopting a vegan lifestyle. I was met with neither, but I enjoyed it all the same. It was not a research-heavy volume containing major scientific breakthroughs in animal behaviour, nor did it contain too many heart-wrenching appeals to morality. However, it does contain an important call to shift our perspective in regard to how we think about the other creatures with whom we share our home, and delivers this message with heart-warming stories and interesting facts about animal behaviour (did you know magpies mate for life???).
We often study and understand non-human animals strictly in relation to ourselves and our own methods of communication. Wohlleben encourages a much needed shift away from this thinking, and in doing so draws attention to bias and difficulties in past and current research into other species.
This was an engaging read that really altered my view on how I approach understanding both non-human and human animals going forward.
We often study and understand non-human animals strictly in relation to ourselves and our own methods of communication. Wohlleben encourages a much needed shift away from this thinking, and in doing so draws attention to bias and difficulties in past and current research into other species.
This was an engaging read that really altered my view on how I approach understanding both non-human and human animals going forward.
3.5⭐
very educative and interesting book. i think we need more books like this. enjoyed it more than i think i would, however it doesn't deserve 4⭐. anyways good job Peter!!
very educative and interesting book. i think we need more books like this. enjoyed it more than i think i would, however it doesn't deserve 4⭐. anyways good job Peter!!
informative
reflective
So this was…alright. It’s not WRONG, precisely, but he’s very, very generous about animal emotions, even when it gets into weird ethical territory (like promoting the idea that dogs feel guilt) and I don’t like that. Could be more precise.
He also doesn’t get into some of the really weird stuff about animal behavior–he sticks to things with direct human analogues, which misses out some of the best shit, nor does he have anything interesting to say about human emotions. It’s all very lackluster.
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
the anecdotes, facts, and musings of the author all made me smile! i think it could've been structured in a more cohesive way, but it was still easy to work through and used accessible language :)
So I’m weird in that I have a hard time sticking to books that are educational... I liked what I read but I knew I would be slow reading so I’m moving on.
3.5 / 5 stars
A well written, interesting book that kept my attention throughout (and I usually struggle with that for non-fictions). The information was not exactly new to me, especially as an animal lover however reading it all condensed was still refreshing. It did also introduce me to some studies that proved things I already assumed.
I will be recommending this book!
A well written, interesting book that kept my attention throughout (and I usually struggle with that for non-fictions). The information was not exactly new to me, especially as an animal lover however reading it all condensed was still refreshing. It did also introduce me to some studies that proved things I already assumed.
I will be recommending this book!
This was an interesting read, although I was somewhat disappointed. The content was fascinating, but I felt that it could have been more compelling. The book explores dozens of aspects of behaviour, but in the context of only one or two examples, most of which the author derives from his own personal experiences with animals. Many of these personal experiences are based on anecdotes set on his family farm. I would have preferred fewer aspects of behaviour be explored more comprehensively, including evidence from both domesticated and wild animals, and amongst species found outside of central Europe. Nevertheless it was interesting to read, but for me it was not very scientific.
Absolutely loved this book. Although it read slow for me, but that might be because I read it in another language other than english. I loved all the thoughts written. It made me think more about every single little animal and how they aren't really that different from us. If you are an animal lover or own animals READ THIS BOOK.
informative
medium-paced
The cover promises "amazing insights" - well, not really. Perhaps this book, in my case at least, was preaching to the choir: no real surprises, not a lot of scientific proof, more anecdotal support for the author's arguments. The chapters had interesting headings around wild animals feelings (both physical and emotional), but aside from some philosophical musings and a reference to a single study, not much basis for the thesis. Light reading.