Our Inner Ape

A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are

By: Frans de Waal

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

We have long attributed man's violent, aggressive, competitive nature to his animal ancestry. But what if we are just as given to cooperation, empathy, and morality by virtue of our genes? What if our behavior actually makes us apes? What kind of apes are we?

From a scientist and writer E.O. Wilson has called "the world authority on primate social behavior" comes a fascinating look at the most provocative aspects of human nature: power, sex, violence, kindness, and morality, through our two closest cousins in the ape family. For nearly 20 years, Frans de Waal has worked with both the famously aggressive chimpanzee and the lesser-known, egalitarian, erotic, matriarchal bonobo, two species whose DNA is nearly identical to that of humans.

De Waal shows the range of human behavior through his study of chimpanzees and bonobos, drawing from their personalities, relationships, power struggles, and hijinx important insights about our human behavior. The result is an engrossing and surprising narrative that reveals what their behavior can teach us about our own nature.

©2005 Frans de Waal (P)2005 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"De Waal's most hopeful message is that peaceful behavior can be learned....[An] important and illuminating book." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Readers might be surprised at how much these apes and their stories resonate with their own lives, and may well be left with an urge to spend a few hours watching primates themselves at the local zoo." (Publishers Weekly)

We are bipedal Apes: part chimp; part bonobo

Have fun and learn all about the ape family, including chimps, bonobos and homo sapiens.

The information about the bonobo, the unknown ape, is well worth the price of the book.

A great way to learn about evolution and primate behavior.

fascinating read

This book had me captivated. The author's passion about his subject was contagious. I learned a great deal about primate behavior and annoyed my friends because it's all I wanted to talk about!

A great mix of science and interpretation

Whether or not you believe that humans and apes are leaves hanging from the same branch on the tree of evolution, this book will fascinate and surprise you. The behavior of bonobos is so different from humans - its hard to imagine living as they do but we could benefit greatly from adopting a few more of their traits - they are definitely lovers and not fighters. Yes, the interpretation of the behaviors of apes and the conclusions of the author can be disputed - but questioning these things is part of being human so it all works out in the end.

Human, chimp and bonobo societies are alike

Any additional comments?

I've really been enjoying listening to the audiobok version of

good book.

Really good book. i definately want to learn more about our distant cousins. his critique of the selfish gene made me think he just read the cover. if the sg book was called something else like gene centered perspective he probably had used to support his arguments.

Our Inner Ape

Excellent! I find myself relating the information in this book to all around me. A new outlook on human behavior. The evening news casts, the workings of our government, our codes of morality have all taken on a new meaning making me more aware with greater understanding.

Fantastic - not what you think.

The author is witty, thoughtful, and insightful. I was looking for a change of pace and tried this book on a whim. I am delighted that I did. I haven't listened to such an interesting book in ages. I will never think of any animal the same way - and I will not ever think of humans without thinking of our closest relatives. Give this book a try - you will not be bored and you will reexamine everything you thought you knew about the human condition. As Gauguin wrote on the back of one of his paintings - "Where do we come from, who are we, and where are we going?" This book will make you ask similar questions.

Unexpected Gem

This book is a must read for anyone who is at all curious about human beings, what we're capable of, and the importance of truth.

A great beginning

If you could sum up Our Inner Ape in three words, what would they be?

intriguing, informational, entertaining

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

This was like listening to a friend talk about his work over lunch, very conversational, accessible for someone with little science background

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I liked taking this a little at a time, so that I could digest what I was learning and then build.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to listen to more books by Franz de Waal, and others, on this subject.

Very Thought Provoking

I loved this book. I've always loved animals and studied animal behavior, and wondered where we humans fit in. This really made me think. I bring it up several times in conversation when I can! I'll look for more by this author.