The Wolf in the Parlor

The Eternal Connection Between Humans and Dogs

De: Jon Franklin

Narrado por: George K. Wilson

Of all the things hidden in plain sight, dogs are one of the most enigmatic. They are everywhere, but how much do we really know about where they came from and what the implications are of their place in our world? Jon Franklin set out to find out and ended up spending a decade studying the origins and significance of the dog and its peculiar attachment to humans.

As the intellectual pursuit of his subject began to take over Franklin's life, he married a dog lover and was quickly introduced to an ancient and powerful law of nature: love me, love my dog. Soon Franklin was sharing hearth and home with a soulful and clever poodle named Charlie. And so began one man's journey to the dogs, an odyssey that would take him from a 12,000-year-old grave to a conclusion so remarkable as to change our perception of ourselves.

Building on evolutionary science, archaeology, behavioral science, and the firsthand experience of watching his own dog evolve from puppy to family member, Franklin posits that man and dog are more than just inseparable; they are part and parcel of the same creature. Along the way, The Wolf in the Parlor imparts a substantial yet painless education on subjects as far-ranging as psychological evolution and neurochemistry.

In this groundbreaking book, master storyteller Franklin shatters the lens through which we see the world and shows us an unexpected, enthralling picture of the human/canine relationship.

©2009 Jon Franklin (P)2009 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A welcome - and surprising - view into the canine soul from somebody who clearly understands and loves dogs." (Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of the international best seller Dogs Never Lie About Love)

very informative

Learned alot of things I did not know about our furry children

Interesting Science and great dog stories

Would you consider the audio edition of The Wolf in the Parlor to be better than the print version?

Yes, George Wilson was the perfect narrator for this book.

Which scene was your favorite?

It's a good mix of some interesting brain sciene, studies of the wolf, with really good dog stories. George Wilson has a casual reading style that adds to the book.

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

I have listened to this book more than once, and have shared the stories with many friends.

Any additional comments?

The intro line is so relavent it go something like this "the certainies you held in your 20's become obsurities in your 50's" Oh, how true. This author has some really great insights.

I loved all the science and speculation!

What did you love best about The Wolf in the Parlor?

Jon is a likeable guy. Not too stubborn or rigid with a drole sense of humor. I love how his wife could guide him into life with dogs. Jon shared his daily life with Charlie and Charlie's relationship with Lynne, his wife. Jon refers himself to be the "Omega" in the pack that is their family unit of wife, man and dog.

I enjoyed how he could talk about the science he was digging up on the origins of the dog (follower wolves) and their developing relationship with man and woman then share all his speculations about this information.

What did you like best about this story?

I anticipated what he would conclude all through the book. I was surprised by the last 2 chapters because of all the detail he could put the pieces together. He helped give me a new perspective on the thousands and thousands of years that bought about the development of our world today. It makes sense to me!

Which character – as performed by George K. Wilson – was your favorite?

Jon - it was remarkable how quickly he came into sync with Charlie.

One of the best books ever!

I have enjoyed this book tremendously. The author is a science writer who, at the beginning of the book, has little to no interest in dogs. He meets a woman who he eventually marries and who insists that they get a puppy. This sparks his interest and he is intrigued by why we have this other species occupying such a privileged position in our lives. He uses his talent as a science writer to cover a broad range of science issue that shed light on the relationship between humans and dogs. This book is in some ways similar to Patricia McConnell's "For the Love of a Dog" except her book is heavier in neurobiology and this book is stronger in evolution. Both books are excellent. I highly recommend this book as well as hers.

Brilliant reading for any dog person!

Beautifully written story integrates science and personal experience as we discover the co- evolution of people and dogs.

Five Woofs!