Our Inner Ape by Frans De Waal Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Our Inner Ape
Book Review: Another solid effort
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoy De Waal's books. They are all well written with a very entertaining and easy to read style. He knows his subjects thoroughly and has the unique ability to convey that knowledge in such a way that is accessible to everyone. He doesn't talk down to his audience, but is able to put the information in a context that is easy to understand. Many times those who reach the top of their respective fields end up only being able to speak in a language that only other academics can understand.
I have been interested in evolutionary biology for some time now and have read quite a bit on the topic, but I continually find myself coming back to De Waal's works. He has this immutable optimism in his books that I find refreshing. He doesn't ignore the baser aspects of human and primate nature, but he focuses on the positive aspects of nature and how the two sides of nature play off each other. Both sides of our nature have been equally important for our survival and our evolution, and so neither one is necessarily "bad" or "good". They are just what we are and the more we understand what function these qualities play in our lives the better off we will be.
For me, De Waal's optimism is why I enjoy his books so much. His insights and knowledge are very valuable, but his optimism is very important in a field that seems to be populated with many books focusing on the negative. Many books and experts would have us believe that we are nothing but base instincts looking out for only number one and any good we achieve is based on purely selfish motives. I myself lean towards cynicism and have a pronounced nihilistic streak in myself. I sometimes can't help but to look at us humans and think that we are doomed to destroy ourselves. De Waal thinks this is not the case at all, and his writing helps bring me from the verge of full blown nihilism back to some form of pragmatism.
I really enjoy De Waal's books they are well written, entertaining, insightful and educational. I think anyone will find this book among their favorites.
Book Review: Good, but not profound
Summary: 3 Stars
Our inner ape has lots of observations of chimp and bonobo behavior and it is interesting to hear how these observations apply to human nature. The focus was more about apes and experiments that have been done, the author's experiences, the nature of these apes. Really anyone who has lived around apes could have written this book--and has. I've heard a lot of the same information in other books. I was hoping for more profound. Perhaps about how much of an animal we really are, direct comparisons of our nature to that of apes and other animals. The author doesn't seem to have any special knowledge of human nature which leave is coming up short. Interesting overall tho.Book Review: Inspired Conversation
Summary: 5 Stars
De Waal weaves his story of chimpanzees, bonobos and humans into a believable tale. The stories have subsequently inspired many of the conversations I have had with colleagues and friends this last week. Looking around at the people around me, I wonder how far off planet of the apes (don't call them monkeys) really was. This was a joyful bit of "dessert" reading that was thoughtful, fun and bit chilling.