Book 11
This is a book I wasn't planning on reading until November, because it isn't being published until then. But yet another reason why I am in love with Borders is they let us employees have ARC's (advance reader's copies, copies of the book sent out to major booksellers for people to read and be informed on the book to help build hype when it finally comes out to the general public). I happened to be browsing the ARC shelf last night and screamed in excitement when I discovered this book.
Bird-haters beware, you might want to skip this. But people who are interested in science definitely should not.
The book? "Alex & Me" by Irene Pepperberg.
On September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age thirty-one. His last words to his owner, Irene Pepperberg, were "You be good. I love you."
What would normally be a quiet, very private event was, in Alex's case, headline news. Over the thirty years they had worked together, Alex and Irene had become famous-two pioneers who opened an unprecedented window into the hidden yet vast world of animal minds. Alex's brain was the size of a shelled walnut, and when Irene and Alex first met, birds were not believed to possess any potential for language, consciousness, or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Yet, over the years, Alex proved many things. He could add. He could sound out words. He understood concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none. He was capable of thought and intention. Together, Alex and Irene uncovered a startling reality: We live in a world populated by thinking, conscious creatures.
The fame that resulted was extraordinary. Yet there was a side to their relationship that never made the papers. They were emotionally connected to one another. They shared a deep bond far beyond science. Alex missed Irene when she was away. He was jealous when she paid attention to other parrots, or even people. He liked to show her who was boss. He loved to dance. He sometimes became bored by the repetition of his tests, and played jokes on her. Sometimes they sniped at each other. Yet nearly every day, they each said, "I love you."
Alex and Irene stayed together through thick and thin-despite sneers from experts, extraordinary financial sacrifices, and a nomadic existence from one university to another. The story of their thirty-year adventure is equally a landmark of scientific achievement and of an unforgettable human-animal bond.
As an animal trainer for some years and a bird nerd for practically forever, I have been well aware of Alex the African Grey for many years. I remember being so impressed and proud of the species I loved so much when I read detailed descriptions of the scientific breakthroughs Alex accomplished throughout his life. The depth of his intelligence and communication skills were astounding. When he died I cried like a baby every time I thought about it, for days. And then I really began to research the info on Alex I didn't have, other accomplishments I wasn't aware of. I find it Ironic that the one year anniversary of his death is this upcoming Saturday and I stumbled across the book yesterday.
This book was spectacular. I laughed a ton and cried a ton too. Granted I am a little biased with my personal interests, but as a scientist and as a lover of animals, this book connected deeply with me. I absolutely loved the intimate look into this fantastic relationship, reading their journey from the beginning and learning so many more things that I had ever known. It makes me look at my own African Grey in a whole new light.
Not a thick book, only a little over 200 pages. Excellent. Anyone with any interest in animal cognitive behavior, or animals and science, or birds in general should definitely read this. It reminded me again how we are all inter-connected, every single thing on this planet.
I have included a 2 minute video of Alex doing what he does. It really is amazing, how intelligent he was.
Bird-haters beware, you might want to skip this. But people who are interested in science definitely should not.
The book? "Alex & Me" by Irene Pepperberg.
On September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age thirty-one. His last words to his owner, Irene Pepperberg, were "You be good. I love you."
What would normally be a quiet, very private event was, in Alex's case, headline news. Over the thirty years they had worked together, Alex and Irene had become famous-two pioneers who opened an unprecedented window into the hidden yet vast world of animal minds. Alex's brain was the size of a shelled walnut, and when Irene and Alex first met, birds were not believed to possess any potential for language, consciousness, or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Yet, over the years, Alex proved many things. He could add. He could sound out words. He understood concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none. He was capable of thought and intention. Together, Alex and Irene uncovered a startling reality: We live in a world populated by thinking, conscious creatures.
The fame that resulted was extraordinary. Yet there was a side to their relationship that never made the papers. They were emotionally connected to one another. They shared a deep bond far beyond science. Alex missed Irene when she was away. He was jealous when she paid attention to other parrots, or even people. He liked to show her who was boss. He loved to dance. He sometimes became bored by the repetition of his tests, and played jokes on her. Sometimes they sniped at each other. Yet nearly every day, they each said, "I love you."
Alex and Irene stayed together through thick and thin-despite sneers from experts, extraordinary financial sacrifices, and a nomadic existence from one university to another. The story of their thirty-year adventure is equally a landmark of scientific achievement and of an unforgettable human-animal bond.
As an animal trainer for some years and a bird nerd for practically forever, I have been well aware of Alex the African Grey for many years. I remember being so impressed and proud of the species I loved so much when I read detailed descriptions of the scientific breakthroughs Alex accomplished throughout his life. The depth of his intelligence and communication skills were astounding. When he died I cried like a baby every time I thought about it, for days. And then I really began to research the info on Alex I didn't have, other accomplishments I wasn't aware of. I find it Ironic that the one year anniversary of his death is this upcoming Saturday and I stumbled across the book yesterday.
This book was spectacular. I laughed a ton and cried a ton too. Granted I am a little biased with my personal interests, but as a scientist and as a lover of animals, this book connected deeply with me. I absolutely loved the intimate look into this fantastic relationship, reading their journey from the beginning and learning so many more things that I had ever known. It makes me look at my own African Grey in a whole new light.
Not a thick book, only a little over 200 pages. Excellent. Anyone with any interest in animal cognitive behavior, or animals and science, or birds in general should definitely read this. It reminded me again how we are all inter-connected, every single thing on this planet.
I have included a 2 minute video of Alex doing what he does. It really is amazing, how intelligent he was.
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