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The Arrogant Ape: And A New Way To See Humanity
*A book of the year in the New York Times*
'I wish this book had been published five hundred years ago and been compulsory reading ever since' Jay Griffiths, author of How Animals Heal Us
'A crucial and transformative read' Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast
'Timely, intelligent and entertaining' Tristan Gooley, author of How to Read a Tree
'Will leave you in awe' Justin Gregg, author of If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal
Most people are certain that humans are the most intelligent, sophisticated, successful species on earth. But what if we're wrong? And what if our arrogant human exceptionalism is leading us to exploit the earth at the expense of other species - and destroy our own world in the process?
In The Arrogant Ape, leading primatologist Christine Webb challenges our belief in human superiority by revealing underappreciated wonders of nonhuman life - from the language of songbirds and prairie dogs, to the cultures of chimpanzees and reef fishes, to the acumen of plants and fungi. She shows how human exceptionalism has even crept into the sciences, distorting how we study and understand other species. With fresh research into the rich social, emotional and cognitive lives of animals, and compelling stories from all over the world, The Arrogant Ape demonstrates how our belief in our own importance is directly linked to some of the greatest threats against us and our environment - and offers a hopeful, inspiring way forwards.
'I wish this book had been published five hundred years ago and been compulsory reading ever since' Jay Griffiths, author of How Animals Heal Us
'A crucial and transformative read' Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast
'Timely, intelligent and entertaining' Tristan Gooley, author of How to Read a Tree
'Will leave you in awe' Justin Gregg, author of If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal
Most people are certain that humans are the most intelligent, sophisticated, successful species on earth. But what if we're wrong? And what if our arrogant human exceptionalism is leading us to exploit the earth at the expense of other species - and destroy our own world in the process?
In The Arrogant Ape, leading primatologist Christine Webb challenges our belief in human superiority by revealing underappreciated wonders of nonhuman life - from the language of songbirds and prairie dogs, to the cultures of chimpanzees and reef fishes, to the acumen of plants and fungi. She shows how human exceptionalism has even crept into the sciences, distorting how we study and understand other species. With fresh research into the rich social, emotional and cognitive lives of animals, and compelling stories from all over the world, The Arrogant Ape demonstrates how our belief in our own importance is directly linked to some of the greatest threats against us and our environment - and offers a hopeful, inspiring way forwards.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 4, 2025
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this book was life changing. At a young age we are indoctrinated (from birth) to consider ourselves separate and above the natural world. This author weaves a fascinating argument for rethinking everything we are taught about the minds of all species.
We get an overview of some of the amazing skills and abilities to be found in the world of nature. The authors emotional account of her bonding but sometimes frightening encounters with primates in Africa are spellbinding.
I’m am not sure I even knew what the term “human exceptionalism” meant until a few years ago. Now I see the prejudices everywhere! A good read and a real eye-opener.
We get an overview of some of the amazing skills and abilities to be found in the world of nature. The authors emotional account of her bonding but sometimes frightening encounters with primates in Africa are spellbinding.
I’m am not sure I even knew what the term “human exceptionalism” meant until a few years ago. Now I see the prejudices everywhere! A good read and a real eye-opener.
Displaying 1 of 1 review