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Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape
This remarkable primate with the curious name is challenging established views on human evolution. The bonobo, least known of the great apes, is a female-centered, egalitarian species that has been dubbed the "make-love-not-war" primate by specialists. In bonobo society, females form alliances to intimidate males, sexual behavior (in virtually every partner combi...more
Paperback, 200 pages
Published
October 27th 1998
by University of California Press
(first published May 23rd 1997)
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The bonobo is overthrowing established notions about where we came from and what our behavioral potential is. Without this ape, traditional evolutionary scenarios emphasizing human aggressivity, hunting, and warfare would no doubt have continued to dominate the discussion, despite the fact that our species possesses a multitude of other defining characteristics relating to language, culture, morality, and family structure. Even though the bonobo is not our ancestor, but perhaps a rather speciali...more
Lobeck
rated it
Recommends it for:
primatologists, sociologists, feminists, anyone who likes sex and peaceful cultures, queer folk
I'm a bonobo in a predominantly chimpanzee society, and that's why I really love this book. But beyond that...
This book is a great introduction to bonobo culture. Unlike their patriarchial, agressive cousins the chimpanzees, bonobos are peaceful, sexual society in which females hold a substantial amount of power. They have sex for pleasure and to settle conflicts and make friends. Same-sex pairings are as common as both sexes. Gender roles are much less extreme than in chimpanze...more
This book is a great introduction to bonobo culture. Unlike their patriarchial, agressive cousins the chimpanzees, bonobos are peaceful, sexual society in which females hold a substantial amount of power. They have sex for pleasure and to settle conflicts and make friends. Same-sex pairings are as common as both sexes. Gender roles are much less extreme than in chimpanze...more
Here's why you're looking for a relatively quick read on the other ape that we're closely related to (we're as related to Bonobos as we are to Chimpanzees): Bonobos have crazy sex lives; they have a totally different social structure than chimpanzees (Bonobo society is centered around females); their social intelligence seems to be amazing. We're not Chimpanzees, and we're not Bonobos, but reading about this different relative of ours was an eye-opening experience.
I cannot imagine a better place to begin learning about Bonobos than this book. It is written in layman's terms and is accompanied by some exquisite photography. This book will set you on your way to exploring more of this "forgotten ape." The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was the book's short length (less than 200 pages with a lot of pictures). Solidly recommended for anyone interested in human evolution, primatology, or human psychology.
It was very informative and had more good-quality photos than any book I've seen yet, which is just what I was hoping for. Not recommended for young readers, though, as some of the bonobo photos are rather mature.
I used to prefer bonobos over chimpanzees, but now I think I prefer chimpanzees. This is because the matriarchy freaks me out. Females using sex to take oranges from unwitting males? Females teaming up to keep the males divided? Females banding together to bite males' fingers off? As a primate male of the decidedly non-alpha variety, I do not approve of this kind of behavior. Then again, life would be way worse as a chimp, maybe, but at least in a chimp world, I would likely be higher up the soc...more
I really enjoyed this book. It gave good information and history, plus the pictures are spectacular
This book has amazing photos and is a good easy way for someone to learn some surface info about an ape you may never see in captivity and that will likely not exist in the wild for too much longer. Bonobos are fascinating and the most human-like of any of the apes in my experience, after working with them all. Don't read to the sex part and quit.
I'm disproportionally proud I share a nationality with this man.
His book is a much needed insight into our own evolution, adding matriarchy and social sexuality as a tool for democratic cohesion to our biological make-up. Yes, yes, yes!
His book is a much needed insight into our own evolution, adding matriarchy and social sexuality as a tool for democratic cohesion to our biological make-up. Yes, yes, yes!
This book made me want to me a primatologist. Then I realized it was pretty much impossible at my point of education so I just pursues a second degree in Evolutionary Anthro instead.
The seminal work (to date) on bonobos, although much of the information in this book is now being questioned by scientists studying bonobos in the field.
This book brings brilliant insights into new theories on human origins by exploring the similarities between human and bonobo social structure.
This was a gift that I was happy to receive as I love primates. Worth reading if you too love Bonobos!
So good that if I had read this in my formative years, I would have ended up as a primatologist!
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"Frans B.M. de Waal, PhD (born 29 October 1948, 's-Hertogenbosch), is a Dutch psychologist, primatologist and ethologist. He is the Charles Howard Candler professor of Primate Behavior in the Emory University psychology department in Atlanta, Georgia, and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and author of numerous books including Chimpanzee Politi...more
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