When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals

Had been looking for this book for awhile. Was thrilled to get the book again after lending my copy to a friend who lost my book. Can’t wait to read it again.

I was already in the process of being forced out of my speculative fiction book group when I made the colossal mistake of suggesting to the other three members that perhaps animals do not suffer in the same way we do. I certainly did not mean by this to say that animals do not suffer AT ALL. It's just that fetishizing weakness is a human thing and therefore animals are far less likely to exaggerate their suffering or pity themselves. Remember the favorite poem of the Master Chief in "GI Jane," the best movie ever about Navy SEALs? "A little bird will drop frozen dead from a tree, without ever once having felt sorry for itself."This tendency of birds to conceal not just discomfort but severe illness or life-threatening injury is in fact one of the things commented on in this superb book. Its 11 chapters cover the analogs to most emotionally rooted human behaviors (honestly, are there any that aren't?) that have been observed not only in the great apes but in other mammals and birds. Chapter 9 is perhaps the most remarkable in its exploration of (among other things) the theory that behavioral conformity is a better defense against predation than any physical characteristic.Humans being this planet's apex predators, the least inhibited among us eventually concluded that only other humans are worthy prey, which is why they tend to attack nonconforming humans in the same way hyenas attack nonconforming wildebeests. For both them and humans who are satisfied to prey on animals, "strength" has a one-dimensional definition. A broader definition of strength might include accepting substitutes for foods you have loved your whole life, or making sure your children did not become attached to them the way you did. This is a strength I have never attained, perhaps because I never had a pet growing up whose suffering would have convinced me that animals are in fact just like people. Five stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to those seeking a great perspective on animal emotions. The author thoroughly impressed me with the extensive amount of research he completed and the wide variety of sources that he referenced. He alluded to studies completed by Jane Goodall, detailed language projects involving apes and Alex (the famous talking African Gray parrot), and spoke about service animals, among other topics. This gave the book a strong backbone of credibility upon which to rest.Dr. Masson also covered a wide variety of emotions that might exist in animals, including love, fear, altruism, anger, etc. He additionally gave an opinion on anthropomorphism, which I believe is extremely important when discussing the topic of animal emotions, which probably differ in varying degrees from our own.I only have a couple of criticisms about the book. First of all, it is presented in a somewhat disorganized fashion. It seems like topic after topic is flung at the reader with no strong organization to the material. Also, the book never comes to some kind of conclusion about what science should do to research animal emotions. I believe there should have at least been some suggestion, in light of the fact that the author criticized science for not having focused on this subject enough.All in all, the book is worth reading and pondering over. Perhaps it is appropriate for someone to start with the questions so that others are enticed into questing for answers.

A must for your library.

Elephants are indicators of humans that need neutering. A clear indicator. All big game trophy hunters fit this category. You don't respect life and do not merit progeny. You have bad genes!

This was supposed to be a used book. It came in wonderful condition. The pages were a tiny bit off color (yellowish). I wouldn't expect anything else from a book that was published in 1995.This is a wonderful read. My second time.

A must-read for everyone... I beg of anyone reading this review to just make the jump, buy this, and dive in to something that will touch your heart in ways you've never experienced before. Then share this remarkable book with others.

One of the best books ever arguing the point that animals truly are sentient beings and deserve to be treated as such. This author found great true life stories to make the point. Grab a tissue as it'll touch your heart. I read a library copy years ago. Now have a copy of my own.

Wonderfully researched and written. Talks about emotions in animals, something no one who has a pet or works with animals would ever doubt. But it's nice to have our knowledge vindicated!

Slowly making my way through this book as a lot to take in. As a vegetarian, and an animal lover I find our treatment of other sentient beings barbaric. Recently dining out I looked at the menu and realized that for every dish an animal had suffered, be it meat fish or dairy. It made me ashamed to be human. This book has opened my eyes even more to the fact that there is nothing humane about being human.

recommandé ,a lire absolument pour les amoureux des éléphants et de la nature et de l'Afrique . Un livre qu'on fini en une traite

consiglio questo libro a tutti coloro che amano il mondo degli animali e in particolare chi è interessato alle loro emozioni

Trace de graisse ou nourriture séchée sur le front. Colle à l'arrière. Un petit nettoyage aurait été apprécié plutôt qu'un livre sale.