The Social Lives of Animals

How Co-operation Conquered the Natural World

Ashley Ward author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Profile Books Ltd

Published:5th Jan '23

Should be back in stock very soon

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The Social Lives of Animals cover

This insightful exploration reveals the fascinating social structures of animals, highlighting connections to human behavior in The Social Lives of Animals.

In The Social Lives of Animals, behavioral scientist Ashley Ward explores the intricate ways in which animals coexist and interact within their societies. Through vivid storytelling, he highlights the surprising parallels between animal behavior and human social structures. Readers will discover how elephants participate in funerals to honor their deceased, while pinyon jays engage in communal child-rearing, showcasing the depth of social bonds in the animal kingdom. Ward's observations remind us that empathy and cooperation are not solely human traits.

The book also delves into more alien lifestyles, such as the relentless swarm behavior of locusts, who are driven by an instinctual need to escape predators. Ward's ability to infuse humor into his writing makes even the most bizarre animal behaviors relatable. He travels from the Serengeti to the icy expanses of Antarctica, offering readers a global perspective on the diversity of social structures in the animal world. Each chapter invites reflection on what these behaviors mean for our understanding of nature and ourselves.

The Social Lives of Animals is not just an exploration of animal behavior; it serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the interconnectedness of life. By examining the social lives of various species, Ward encourages readers to appreciate the complexity of relationships in the animal kingdom and consider the implications for human society. This engaging narrative is a celebration of the wonders of nature, filled with insights that resonate far beyond the animal world.

Very striking ... Ward has a good eye for details ... he writes vividly * Sunday Times *
Extraordinary stories in this fascinating book ... any writer who can evoke the existential sadness of a lonely cockroach, or make krill thrilling, or describe a snorkelling colleague being engulfed in a "gargantuan cetacean bum detonation" is a real gift to science communication ... thought-provoking * Guardian *
Reading [The Social Lives of Animals] is like entering a maze ... with surprises awaiting the reader at every turn. What holds it all together is the author's natural gift for storytelling and penchant for punchy, provocative one-liners -- Christoph Irmscher * Wall Street Journal *
A great antidote to the dog-eat-dog view of nature that we grew up with. Ashley Ward takes the reader on a personal journey of discovery to make clear that animals often depend on cooperation for survival -- Frans de Waal, author * Mama’s Last Hug *
From swarming krill and flocking birds to cattle herds and tribal chimpanzees, Ashley Ward reveals animals to be much more social than often thought. Part deep dive into the latest science and part personal storytelling, Ward's book shatters the old stereotype. This is not nature red in tooth and claw, but nature awash in cooperation and collaboration -- Steve Brusatte, professor and palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh and New York Times/Sunday Times bestselling author of * The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs *
A thoughtful exploration of the complex minds that share the planet with us. Ashley Ward will give you a new appreciation for the bonds, emotions, and connections that we thought set us apart, but in reality, just bring us closer to the animal world -- Vanessa Woods, New York Times bestselling author of * Bonobo Handshake *
A big part of the book's appeal is just the strangeness and sophistication of this world of animal interactions, a nexus of cooperation and conflict that is all around us and yet mostly remains hidden from our view. Ward's stories compel us to see social animals, not just as marvels, but as kindred spirits. He wants us to empathize with them as fellow navigators of the unpredictable landscape of relationships. And, with a light hand, he succeeds * Alan de Queiroz, author of The Monkey's Voyage *
Brilliant ... echoes Monty Python in asking - apart from intelligence, language, longevity, consciousness, reasoning, social learning and culture - what sociality has ever done for us. * Country Life *

ISBN: 9781788168854

Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 26mm

Weight: 309g

400 pages

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