Andrew R. Halloran

This non-fiction book was highly readable, and I think Halloran’s thesis that in trying to teach our ape cousins to speak human we’re making a mistake (we should be trying to understand, in his case, chimpanzee instead) is an intriguing and, perhaps, a valid one. This book avoids the pitfall of trying to cram too much history and scientific argument down our throats and tells wonderful stories instead.

Some of the stories are about the history of scientists trying to teach apes show more (gorillas, chimps, bonobos) to use human grammar and language. Many of them are about how five individual chimpanzees got to the drive-through animal park in Florida where Halloran worked and the event that sparked his study of chimpanzee communication.

Unfortunately, when I went back over the book with a critical eye, I discovered that the logical argument about why we need to study chimpanzee communication as opposed to teaching them to use human language isn’t spelled out. We’re somehow supposed to infer it from the stories. So if you read this book, and I think it’s worth reading, read it for the entertainment value and to spark some questions. Don’t read it for a definitive argument about whether apes have what we humans call language.

Posts on Halloran's website are few and far between since internet connections in the field aren't common. But you can check that out and the Maderas Rainforest Conservacy where he does research as well. show less