Book Recommendations, Reviews and Author Interviews from All-Creatures.org

The Emotional Lives of Animals (revised): A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy and Why They Matter By Mark Bekoff, Foreword by Jane Goodall

PUBLISHER: New World Library

SEVERAL REVIEWS

REVIEWS

Praise for this revised edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals:

“In this highly revised edition of his precedent-setting book, award-winning researcher Marc Bekoff offers a thorough review of what we know about the emotional lives of a dazzling array of nonhumans and why we must use what we know on their behalf. The time is now for a breakthrough; we must stop relying on timeworn, misleading claims that we don’t really know what other animals are feeling and what they want and need from us. In fact, we’ve known for decades that we are failing countless animals by ignoring who they are and what they’re asking of us — namely, to treat them with dignity and compassion.”
— Sy Montgomery, award-winning author of The Soul of an Octopus, Of Time and Turtles, and many other books

“One of the greatest mistakes of twentieth-century science was denying nonhumans’ feelings and thoughts. Marc Bekoff has reminded us, with sensitivity and rigor, that nonhumans have not only a mental life, but a rich, emotional mental life — one important to acknowledge but also delightful to behold. The Emotional Lives of Animals should be on the bookshelf of anyone who lives with or around animals — which is everyone.”
— Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside of a Dog and The Year of the Puppy

“The Emotional Lives of Animals was brave when it was first published in 2007 because Bekoff’s views were controversial; and it was essential because of the wealth of information the book brought together. Since then Bekoff’s views have largely carried the day, but this second edition is even more essential than the first because of the way that it documents and makes accessible the explosion of knowledge that has helped to bring about this change.”
— Dale Jamieson, director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection; affiliated professor of law, medical ethics, and bioethics; and professor emeritus of environmental studies and philosophy; New York University

“A tour de force into the hearts and minds of animals. Through artfully weaving scientific findings with stories about individual animals experiencing anguish, grief, worry, titillation, trust, joy, love, and much, much more, Bekoff brings the emotional lives of animals to life. You cannot read this book and not be changed by it.”
— Jessica Pierce, bioethicist and author of Who’s a Good Dog? and Run, Spot, Run

“I am so glad that Marc has updated his very important and popular book. . . . In The Emotional Lives of Animals, he has pulled together the growing body of scientific evidence that supports the existence of a variety of emotions in other animals, richly illustrated by his own careful observations and conclusions. He argues forcefully that the time has come for acceptance of this body of information across the board.”
— Jane Goodall, from the foreword

Praise for the first edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals:

“Demonstrating the far-reaching implications for readers’ relationships with any number of living beings, Bekoff’s book is profound, thought-provoking and even touching.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A readable book equally charming and challenging.”
— Booklist

“Marc Bekoff ably presents the richness and variety of the emotions in nonhuman animals — and doesn’t hesitate to draw the ethical conclusions implicit in his findings. I hope this book will be widely read by those who care about animals — and even more widely by those who don’t.”
— Peter Singer, professor of bioethics, Princeton University

“Move over, Darwin. And prepare to be moved. In The Emotional Lives of Animals, world-class scientist Marc Bekoff argues forcefully that our emotions are the gifts of our animal ancestors. Bekoff’s new book itself is a gift that invites us to explore and appreciate the passionate lives of animals.”
— Marty Becker, resident veterinarian on Good Morning America and author of The Healing Power of Pets

“A thought-provoking, compassionate, and scholarly work from one of the world’s most eminent behavioral scientists.”
— Dr. Ian Dunbar, founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and author of Before & After Getting Your Puppy and Barking Up the Right Tree

“Marc Bekoff is one of those rare scientists who can talk real sense about animals because he is aware of being an animal himself. Read this wonderful book.”
— Mary Midgley, author of Animals and Why They Matter and The Ethical Primate

“A glorious, moving, important book to enjoy and share.”
— Ingrid Newkirk, cofounder and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

“I firmly believe that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of well-being becomes. Therefore, I welcome Marc Bekoff’s book The Emotional Lives of Animals.”
— His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“A purposeful combination of science, anecdotal evidence, and memoir, The Emotional Lives of Animals is a work of rare beauty and insight by an author who has often found himself at odds with his professional colleagues. Fortunately, Bekoff chose to follow his own path and, in doing so, invites others to join him on a journey of humane stewardship.”
— Best Friends

“The Emotional Lives of Animals is not a tearjerker but a gritty portrait of individual and societal values, painted with a heady blend of soul and science. But Bekoff’s refreshing candor and solid credibility makes it a must-read for all.”
— City Dog Magazine

“This thought-provoking book could very likely change your life.”
— Animals’ Voice

“A passionate, thoughtful book.”
— BBC Wildlife

“This is a book that will empower and give hope; it guides the reader not into a pit of despair over the cruelties humans inflict on other animals but into a light, helping us seek the way forward.”
— Captive Animal Protective Society, UK

“[Bekoff] presents both touching anecdotes and scientific evidence to support his case that animals do indeed have feelings — rich emotional lives, in fact.”
— Dog Fancy

“Anyone interested in animal emotion will want a copy of this book. Bekoff speaks with the unique authority of an expert who is experiencing the success of a revolution in science and ethics that he helped make and that will endure (if we endure) as one of the signal achievements — along with the expansion of human rights and environmentalism — of the late twentieth century.”
— The BARk

“In clear and convincing language, Marc Bekoff provides rational defense for what many of us already sense — that animals can feel sorrow, joy, anger, and pleasure much as we humans do. Bekoff proves that this idea is not only compatible with the fact of evolution, but it is required by it. Once it considers the argument of this finely argued book, science will never be the same.”
— David Rothenberg, professor of philosophy, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and author of Why Birds Sing and Sudden Music

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marc Bekoff is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has published more than thirty books and writes regularly for Psychology Today.

Jane Goodall is a world-renowned conservationist and animal advocate. 

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