A Primate's Memoir A Primate's Memoir

A Primate's Memoir

A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons

    • 4.7 • 62 Ratings
    • $13.99
    • $13.99

Publisher Description

In the tradition of Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, Robert Sapolsky, a foremost science writer and recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant, tells the mesmerizing story of his twenty-one years in remote Kenya with a troop of savanna baboons.

"I had never planned to become a savanna baboon when I grew up; instead, I had always assumed I would become a mountain gorilla,” writes Robert Sapolsky in this witty and riveting chronicle of a scientist’s coming-of-age in Africa.

An exhilarating account of Sapolsky’s twenty-one-year study of a troop of rambunctious baboons in Kenya, A Primate’s Memoir interweaves serious scientific observations with wry commentary about the challenges and pleasures of living in the wilds of the Serengeti—for man and beast alike. Over two decades, Sapolsky survives culinary atrocities, gunpoint encounters, and a surreal kidnapping, while witnessing the encroachment of the tourist mentality on Africa. As he conducts unprecedented physiological research on wild primates, he becomes enamored of his subjects—unique and compelling characters in their own right—and he returns to them summer after summer, until tragedy finally prevents him.

By turns hilarious and poignant, A Primate’s Memoir is a magnum opus from one of our foremost science writers.

GENRE
Science & Nature
RELEASED
2007
November 1
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
304
Pages
PUBLISHER
Scribner
SELLER
Simon & Schuster Digital Sales LLC
SIZE
3.7
MB

Customer Reviews

Inkybird ,

So glad I read this

At turns humorous, heartwarming and sad in its pragmatic truths this is a wonderful and engaging read. I'm glad to have found this scientist that can tell stories so well. I'm looking forward to reading more by Robert Sapolsky.

Klish2021 ,

Kafka's African Memoir

Sapolsky's youthful adventures in Africa comprise a medley of stories reminiscent of the absurdity of Kafka and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The memoir provides a compelling glimpse into Africa at an striking historical instant. Pleasantly surprising, witty and poignant A Primate's Memoir is the best memoir I have ever read.

Joy Day ,

The best book

I have read in a very long time. Hilarious and touching.

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