Sign in with Facebook
Matt's Reviews > Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees
Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees
by
by
This is a powerful, life-changing book. It is a fluid mixture of entertaining narrative, heart-breaking details about the treatment of chimpanzees in laboratories, and engaging discourse about evolutionary theory, the development of language in chimps and humans, etc.
Through the entirety of the book & the microcosm of Washoe (the central chimp in the story) the message comes across that these animals are individuals, complete with personalities, moving emotions, and complex thoughts. They show a sense of humor, personal characteristics, and even compassion (such as when Washoe rescues another chimp from drowning). The narrations of the conversations had with the chimps are some of the most powerful aspects of the book: you have a sense of meeting a mind not much different than your own.
Fouts humbly highlights his journey from almost-accidental chimp language researcher, to despondent alcoholic, to activist working on behalf of these amazing animals. He highlights a central contradiction in medical research involving chimpanzees: they are studied because they are so similar to humans, yet shouldn't this similarity also cause us to see and respect their personhood? His tours of medical research facilities and the tiny, isolated cages in which chimps are essentially poisoned and tortured, will break your heart. Aptly he uses Shakespeare's quote to warn us against having "All pity choked by custom of fell deed" (p. 318).
This book will make you laugh, cry, and--above all--think!
Through the entirety of the book & the microcosm of Washoe (the central chimp in the story) the message comes across that these animals are individuals, complete with personalities, moving emotions, and complex thoughts. They show a sense of humor, personal characteristics, and even compassion (such as when Washoe rescues another chimp from drowning). The narrations of the conversations had with the chimps are some of the most powerful aspects of the book: you have a sense of meeting a mind not much different than your own.
Fouts humbly highlights his journey from almost-accidental chimp language researcher, to despondent alcoholic, to activist working on behalf of these amazing animals. He highlights a central contradiction in medical research involving chimpanzees: they are studied because they are so similar to humans, yet shouldn't this similarity also cause us to see and respect their personhood? His tours of medical research facilities and the tiny, isolated cages in which chimps are essentially poisoned and tortured, will break your heart. Aptly he uses Shakespeare's quote to warn us against having "All pity choked by custom of fell deed" (p. 318).
This book will make you laugh, cry, and--above all--think!
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Next of Kin.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-2 of 2 (2 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Raphael
(new)
-
added it
Apr 17, 2014 10:59AM
My female girlfriend gave me a nickname" Chimpanzee" and I gave her name Chimpanzulka. I did not read the book yet and I am going to read it. It seems very interesting book I ever read before. I likes animals and when I was kids I was playing with with chimpanzee a lot. Chimpanzee are very intelligent Animals and sensitive one. Personal I knows Chimpanzee behavior and I helped Chimpanzee to grow at my village while other villagers didn't respect Chimpanzee anymore. Chimpanzee uses their own language and communicate by actions:). I am going to buy the book and must read it. In a near future I visit my village and go to the Zoo to meet several Chimpanzee. I have no reason to thank those who wrote the book as well as my female friend who reminded me as Chimpanzee.
reply
|
flag
Interesting story--great that you had an opportunity to interact with chimpanzees! I think you would like the book, so hopefully you get a chance to read it.Be well,
Matt
