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Reviews
A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons by Robert M. Sapolsky
tanya_the_spack's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating. Sad ending. Turns out baboons are cool.
snay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
toorsdenote's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Medical content
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Blood, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Genocide, Antisemitism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, War, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Dementia, and Rape
anitaofplaybooktag's review against another edition
3.0
The title may be "A Primate's Memoir", but let's just put it out there that the primate in question is Robert Spolsky not a baboon. Had I known that, I probably wouldn't have read this particular book, but it was enjoyable. Sapolsky details his work with baboons, yes, but he spends at least as much, if not more, time describing anecdotes about his human interactions in Africa. My takeaway is there is a LOT of bribery and corruption in Africa. A lot may be an understatement.
Sapolsky is a pretty witty guy, and I did laugh aloud a few times as he relates what seem like the most preposterous tales with enough detail to reassure the reader that he is not exaggerating.
On the flip side, I really wanted even more about the baboon troop he followed. What he wrote about them was very interesting, and I could have a read an entire book strictly focused on them.
The final chapter of the book is the perfect denouement as Sapolsky discovers a diseased baboon and must try to unravel this threat to his beloved baboon troop.
Sapolsky is a pretty witty guy, and I did laugh aloud a few times as he relates what seem like the most preposterous tales with enough detail to reassure the reader that he is not exaggerating.
On the flip side, I really wanted even more about the baboon troop he followed. What he wrote about them was very interesting, and I could have a read an entire book strictly focused on them.
The final chapter of the book is the perfect denouement as Sapolsky discovers a diseased baboon and must try to unravel this threat to his beloved baboon troop.
michelle_cloud's review against another edition
4.0
Haiku Review: A Primate's Memoir by Robert M Sapolsky
Baboons, biblically
named, seem human. And humans
become baboonlike.
Baboons, biblically
named, seem human. And humans
become baboonlike.
kahawa's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put this down. I've loved Sapolsky's science books, but his memoir adds a whole new dimension to his superb writing - the personal, emotional touch. I already loved his irreverence and academic insights; in Memoir I got to do some life with him. Having spent more than a decade in East Africa myself, I could picture every scene, hear every sound, smell every smell. It was like coming home.
edelstein's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
relaxing
5.0
Sapolsky does it again. Although much more narrative than his other book I adore, Behave, this story has no lack of his wit and fantastic storytelling. His life in Kenya is painted in colorful language, from the gut-wrenching horrors to the beautiful solemn moments. Each baboon has a story, and he is more than happy to tell it to you.
risaleel's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, Medical content, War, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Murder
jegiraudo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25