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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Reading this book is a little like reading a eulogy. Lots of funny and poignant stories about the parrot Alex, a participant in early studies about animal intelligence. Pepperberg's recollections about her earlier education and the misogyny she encountered in non-biological fields of science, esp. theoretical science, echo even 50-60 years later. I will say, I was side-eying some of her decisions lol. The book is definitely at its best when it's recounting stories about the bird -- the cheeky, flamboyantly gay, huge flirt of a bird. An absolute character, and this book succeeds in making you miss him and feel the loss and to think about your own place in/relationship to the natural world.
What an incredible, fascinating, moving true story. Alex was totally amazing!
I haven't enjoyed a book quite as much as this one in a while. Alex had me laughing, my jaw dropping, and my eyes swelling up. I've recommended this book to so many people already. Please, even if you're not a bird person, read this book! It's a lovely novel on animal cognition, and it will amaze you.
Alex’s official name was Avian Laboratory EXperiment. That says it all. Pepperberg never respected Alex. She exploits animals to try to make a name for herself. Parrot suffer in captivity. Instead of advocating against the breeding and selling of parrots for the “pet” trade, Pepperberg continues to hurt parrots. Every video or article people see about Alex or Pepperberg’s abusive “work” means one more parrot being purchased and quickly sent to an overflowing parrot rescue or being abused and dying prematurely because humans can’t handle their wild ways.
This book was so sad. Pepperberg is self centered and self-aggrandizing and it shows in this book. Instead of doing real work to help parrots she chooses to exploit them and pretend it’s science.
This book was so sad. Pepperberg is self centered and self-aggrandizing and it shows in this book. Instead of doing real work to help parrots she chooses to exploit them and pretend it’s science.
The story of Alex was pretty entertaining. Alex's accomplishment do seem to reveal a level of animal intelligence, though I had wished for a deeper exploration of how this research might be put to practical use.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
interesting story about a scientist's obsession with the behavior of a grey Parrot and how the resulting experiments and relationship between her and the parrot formed a new foundation of how science thinks about bird cognition and language
I got this book as a birthday present for my aunty (a Macaw owner), having first discovered Ms Pepperberg and Alex on the recent BBC programme Super Smart Animals. But I couldn't resist having a cheeky read of it first. I'm so glad I did because the contents of this book had me amazed, laughing, crying and so thankful Ms Pepperberg and Alex had the time that they did together to make all these wonderful discoveries! I know my aunt will LOVE this book!
Ms Pepperberg has a great writing style, that is very easy to read and enjoy. Before starting this book I was worried it might be a bit too sciency/techincal. But everything is explaned in a very easy to understand and accessable way. I really hope a DVD is produced because I would love to watch it. It would be fantastic for those who sadly will not read (Andrew - my boyfriend, I'm typing at you here!!), to be able to learn about this research!
I can most definitley see myself buying more copies of this book to share with others.
Ms Pepperberg has a great writing style, that is very easy to read and enjoy. Before starting this book I was worried it might be a bit too sciency/techincal. But everything is explaned in a very easy to understand and accessable way. I really hope a DVD is produced because I would love to watch it. It would be fantastic for those who sadly will not read (Andrew - my boyfriend, I'm typing at you here!!), to be able to learn about this research!
I can most definitley see myself buying more copies of this book to share with others.