Second Nature

Reviews / Votes

'...fascinating, well-written, consistently thought-provoking, and deserves a wide readership.' - The Guardian 'Jonathan Balcombe has brought together...evidence that animals have far more in common with us humans than we might like to suppose. As well as cunning and intelligence, they can also show kindness and sensitivity.' - The Evening Standard '...captivating and disquieting...' - Human Givens '...J.M. Coetzee...praises Balcombe as "a scientist who has escaped the narrow orthodoxies of institutional science". This is true." - TLS Praise for Pleasurable Kingdom: 'Brisk, erudite and enormously entertaining - an excellent, approachable introduction to the basic issues in animal behaviour.' - Publishers Weekly 'Entertaining examples of animal bliss - from drunken parrots to the caresses of fiddler crabs - bring a pleasure all their own.' - Psychology Today 'This well-reasoned, engaging book argues that critters share our capacities for humor, empathy and aesthetic pleasure.' - People Magazine 'This entertaining and thought-provoking book is recommended for popular science collections.' - Library Journal 'Fascinating and often moving, this book emphasizes that animals - like us - truly have personalities, minds and emotions.' - Jane Goodall, Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace 'Superb - has set an agenda for future research. This book will change how we interact with other animal beings.' - Marc Bekoff in Trends in Ecology& Evolution 'A well-argued thesis.' - Scientific American '... lively, shrewd, well-argued ... an admirable contribution.' - Mary Midgley, in Times Higher Education Supplement