Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
A heart-warming story about one researcher's work with an incredible parrot.
I Read this very quickly (by my standards) and I loved it. She did a nice job of helping me feel like I'd glimpsed a bit of Alex's great triumphs and strong personality. She definitely has a message in this book, but she's preachin' to the choir with me. I can't really imagine having any other perception than the idea that all the earth and its lifeforms are one - interconnected and complex. And that humans are not separate, above, or in complete control.
The book starts off with Alex’s passing and then flashes back upon their time together, which makes the emotional end somewhat easier to read. Pepperberg delves into some of the challenges of working in this field at a difficult period in the history of animal behaviour, particularly, as a female scientist. It is clear from the outset that she has a brilliant intellect and dogged determination. We learn about Alex, an intelligent, cheeky, manipulative, funny and incredibly bossy bird. We have known for a while the “talking” capabilities of birds but Pepperberg and Alex take us beyond that understanding. We learn that not only can birds name, label, classify, count, add, invent and learn phonemes, but they also have the capability to understand exactly what they are saying. Later on, Alex helped train a second Grey through modelling and interactions, but also hilarious admonitions like “pay attention!” and “say better!” The book, succinctly written, starts off like a memoir but does not feel like one by the time one finishes. Some word choices Pepperberg uses are a little off-putting (calling the bird "stupid", for example) but the fascinating content carries one through. It is a quick, easy, accessible read, and written in a very layperson, as opposed to scientific, voice. There were two things that bothered me as I was reading this - 1) It is clear both from the book and the innumerable videos of Pepperberg's birds floating online that there is no captive environment that can be called suitable for these birds. Their incessant boredom and frustration (Pepperberg even discusses Alex staring out of a window at a tree) is difficult to overlook. Although Alex was an extraordinary ambassador for his species and was treated very well, I found it difficult to justify the studies in what is essentially an oppressive situation for an animal. 2) The book left me longing for more. The anecdotes are what make the book. I wish she had written more about Alex and how and why he died.
Interesting account of a bird brain. How cognizant are our feathered friends? More than we think, apparently.
This was a touching book. I had read something about Alex before, but found this book filled in the details and was very satisfying.
While humans may be the smartest(?) animal, we certainly are not the only creature capable of thought. Yes, animals do think. 'Alex and Me' is a bold testament to the abilities of animals worthy of popping our egocentric bubbles. By the way, this book has a tissue alert but is worth the tears.
Such a great story. I hope more studies are being done like hers with as many species as possible - not exactly the same, of course, as few other species are physically able to reproduce human speech. But with non-human animal communication of all kinds. They're talking to each other, we're just not smart enough to have figured out the translations yet.
I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 only because I had hoped for more and deeper coverage of the science of their work together, although I know that wasn't the purpose of the book. The more information humans are provided about non-human communication, the better chance I believe we have of accepting it in our general society as well as in scientific ones.
I definitely recommend Alex & Me to everyone - those who just like cute animal stories as well as those interested in the field of non-human animal communication and cognition.
I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 only because I had hoped for more and deeper coverage of the science of their work together, although I know that wasn't the purpose of the book. The more information humans are provided about non-human communication, the better chance I believe we have of accepting it in our general society as well as in scientific ones.
I definitely recommend Alex & Me to everyone - those who just like cute animal stories as well as those interested in the field of non-human animal communication and cognition.
The fraction of the book that is actually about Alex is everything I expected and more. Alex's personality and remarkable intelligence left me by turns amazed and amused. Dr Pepperberg's love for this bird and the secrets he shared shine through in every anecdote.
Unfortunately, there are precious few anecdotes. This is is another potentially good book in desperate need of an editor. It's a long hard slog through the early chapters, which begin, inexplicably, at the end, with Alex's death--or more specifically, Dr Pepperberg's *feelings* about Alex's death--and then march us mercilessly through an extended review of the author's childhood and early academic career. We don't get to meet Alex until about halfway through. It was almost too late for me.
The sexism and skepticism Pepperberg encountered in the academic world were critical elements of Alex's story. How much more exciting work could have been done with Alex and the other birds if they'd had a stable location and dependable funding? We'll never know. But we simply didn't need to know all about Dr. Pepperberg's childhood. Much of this book reads like a desperate search for absolution. I wish she had focused on her shining achievements instead.
Despite all the heavy lifting at the beginning and again at the end, the part of the book devoted to Alex is so thoroughly delightful that I had to give it four stars. Anyone who has spent time with animals can recognize the signs of personality that make us treasure them as individuals, and Alex had far more than his share. I'd have enjoyed another 200 pages all about Alex!
Unfortunately, there are precious few anecdotes. This is is another potentially good book in desperate need of an editor. It's a long hard slog through the early chapters, which begin, inexplicably, at the end, with Alex's death--or more specifically, Dr Pepperberg's *feelings* about Alex's death--and then march us mercilessly through an extended review of the author's childhood and early academic career. We don't get to meet Alex until about halfway through. It was almost too late for me.
The sexism and skepticism Pepperberg encountered in the academic world were critical elements of Alex's story. How much more exciting work could have been done with Alex and the other birds if they'd had a stable location and dependable funding? We'll never know. But we simply didn't need to know all about Dr. Pepperberg's childhood. Much of this book reads like a desperate search for absolution. I wish she had focused on her shining achievements instead.
Despite all the heavy lifting at the beginning and again at the end, the part of the book devoted to Alex is so thoroughly delightful that I had to give it four stars. Anyone who has spent time with animals can recognize the signs of personality that make us treasure them as individuals, and Alex had far more than his share. I'd have enjoyed another 200 pages all about Alex!
I should disclose up front that I had the special opportunity to work in Dr. Pepperberg's lab as an undergraduate while she was at the University of Arizona. So, reading the book was a stroll down memory lane. I was reminded of the bossy nature of Alex and how he would play games during the tests if he was bored. As a result, I really enjoyed reading this book.
There were times when I thought the author got a little repetitive. But overall, her writing style made this a very quick and easy read. You do not need to worry about getting bogged down in any difficult science. This was definitely written for the general public. She is able to explain the relevant science in ways that anyone should be able to understand.
There were times when I thought the author got a little repetitive. But overall, her writing style made this a very quick and easy read. You do not need to worry about getting bogged down in any difficult science. This was definitely written for the general public. She is able to explain the relevant science in ways that anyone should be able to understand.