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Beyond Words

What Animals Think and Feel

Carl Safina author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Profile Books Ltd

Published:2nd Apr '20

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Beyond Words cover

This insightful book explores the emotional and cognitive lives of animals, urging a re-evaluation of humanity's relationship with them in Beyond Words.

In Beyond Words, prize-winning author and MacArthur Fellow Carl Safina invites readers to explore the inner lives of animals, challenging our traditional views that often measure their experiences by human standards. Through a rich tapestry of field observations and groundbreaking research on animal cognition, Safina reveals the profound capacity for thought, emotion, and perception that exists within various species. His inquiry into the question 'Who are you?' allows for a deeper understanding of the unique personalities and emotional landscapes of animals.

The narrative takes us on a journey to diverse environments, from the endangered landscapes of Kenya, where elephant families navigate the challenges of poaching and drought, to the majestic Yellowstone National Park, where wolves cope with the aftermath of tragedy. Each story illustrates the intricate social bonds and emotional depth of these creatures, inviting readers to witness their joy, grief, and even jealousy. Safina's exploration extends to the remarkable societies of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest, showcasing their peaceful coexistence and complex social structures.

Ultimately, Beyond Words serves as a powerful call to re-evaluate our relationship with the animal kingdom. By highlighting the similarities between human and nonhuman consciousness, Safina encourages a more empathetic and respectful approach to the beings with whom we share our planet. This book is a wise and eye-opening examination of the interconnectedness of life, urging us to consider our place within the broader tapestry of existence.

Dr. Safina is a terrific writer, with a contagious enthusiasm ... draws out haunting resonances between animal lives and our own ... Captivating * New York Times *
At once moving and surprising, Beyond Words asks us to reexamine our relationship to other species-and to ourselves -- Elizabeth Kolbert, author of * The Sixth Extinction *
This book breathes love of and respect for animals and is rich with observations and extraordinary travel experiences. It is a delightful and enlightening account of both how we relate to them and how they relate to each other -- Frans de Waal
Combines lambent writing with dazzling facts, while also illuminating our knowledge of significant and engaging subjects ... Exemplary * Washington Post *
Wise, passionate, and eye-opening at every turn, Beyond Words is ultimately a graceful examination of humanity's place in the world * Psychology Today *
Safina's engaging writing takes readers along on his journey ... The result is a meandering, entertaining tour of the animal kingdom, with pit stops for both amusing anecdotes and the latest scientific studies of animal behavior ... entertaining and informative * Slate *
Brilliant ... makes intimate these wild animals in vivid family portraits ... Safina is a font of research, his wonder contagious * Elle *
Safina offers a rich and often heart-touching account of his journeys with scientists exploring the minds and emotions of elephants, wolves, and dolphins. His compassion and empathy for animals shines throughout, and he uses both to illuminate the booming field of animal cognition. A beautifully written, accessible, and compelling read -- Virginia Morrell, author of * Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel *

ISBN: 9781788164238

Dimensions: 196mm x 130mm x 32mm

Weight: 320g

480 pages

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