The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity

Rating:
Summary: Transends True Tales
Review: I grabbed this book looking for a light, entertaining read based on the cute cover and the phrase "true tales." And it was. However, I was delighted to discover the author transcends cute-animal-story mode to craft a lively discussion for rethinking how we judge intelligence. Of particular delight, to me, was the author's obvious joyful and touching regard for animals, while at the same time maintaining judicious restraint in validating stories and their meanings. This book reminds me of Thai food: A complex dance of flavors that somehow fuse into a satisfying meal. Savor.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty thin!
Review: I thought this was a pamphlet disguised as a book. I also felt preached to, as though I didn't have enough intelligence to make up my mind, given the facts. All that he had to say could have been done in 10 pages. I was very disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty thin!
Review: I thought this was a pamphlet disguised as a book. I also felt preached to, as though I didn't have enough intelligence to make up my mind, given the facts. All that he had to say could have been done in 10 pages. I was very disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: comprehensive, entertaining, intriguing
Review: it doesn't matter that linden's discussion on animal behaviour isn't rocket science, as behavioural studies often seem to be thought.

the beauty about linden's writings is that they come from a prespective innate in every humanbeing - simple/fundamental, unending questioning. his questions and case studies can be appreciated in simplicity. which leads to the question then, of why humans have made the study and evaluation of animal behaviour and intelligence so complicated, tenuous and subjective. does it matter if intelligence is ingrained in instinct or conjured through an anylytical mind?

"The universe is simple at its foundation."

And i believe that's where linden is with his book. throughly entertaining and easy to read, this book can be appreciated by any age and any background. any "thicker" and it'd be a scientific reference book that'd bore or overwhelm most audiences.

Several of his stories are briefs of pending behavioural/intelligence studies in universities, which is interesting to the general public because most of the results of such studies only ever turn up in scientific journals full or jargon and mathematical symbols. he also includes letters of intrigue from readers of his first book The Parrots Lament.

Read this book if you're looking to be intrigued and quirked.

Rating:
Summary: Not So Simple Minds
Review: It is of no dispute that animals display varying levels of intelligence. Occasionally, many creatures seem to display human-like emotions and temperaments. Our pets' eyes sometimes seem to sparkle with an attentive knowledge and other animals, such as dolphins and apes, display a level of intelligence that leaves us in a state of wonderment. `The Octopus and the Orangutan - More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity' by Eugene Linden offers glimpses into these telling displays and actions which occasionally bridge the gap between human and animal. It is an eye-opening and touching read, sprinkled with humour and amazing insights into the brains of not only octopus and orangutan but elephants, bonobos, cats, orcas and many more. `The Octopus and the Orangutan' is creatively researched and warmly written. Eugene Linden has taken his wonderful book `The Parrots Lament' and taken it further with new reports and insights into animal activities that will amaze and astound you. `The Octopus and the Orangutan - More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity' by Eugene Linden explores the activity inside the not so simple minds of creatures that often don't behave like animals at all.

Rating:
Summary: The Octopus and the Orangutan
Review: The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity written by Eugene Linden is a book on observation. Observantion of animal behavior, bringing together intrique with intelligence and ingenuity.

This book is the second book of two about this topic as the author has written "The Parrot's Lament. "The Octopus and the Orangutan looks for intelligence in animals, as we know animals exhibit intelligence in varing degrees, so the author describes stealth, deception, and friendship. But, that is not all, they exhibit intelligence in bargining and negotiations not only with their handlers, but among themselves.

Yes, animal intelligence is not on par with man's, but if you realize that an animal has intelligence you can begin to find out at what level the animal "understands." Then when you understand the animal you begin to set up a rudimentary communication. This book has examples of observed astonishing new animal behavior previously thought to be exclusively human.

The is a story about a remarkable Octopus and a colony of Orangutans and the observed behaviors that are quite remarkable, and of course, there are other stories throughout the book. If you like a book that really makes the most of observation, and combine it with animals. You'll have a book that warms you heart. A story about Mozart and his bird... a Starling that loved his melodies.

Now, that story I can relate to, as I have two Cockatiel's and when I play a Mozart CD the birds sing the music right along with the CD. Their favor Mozart is "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" as they sing it right after they are fed. I found this book to be a wonderful study of animal behavior through human observation, which gives the reader a good look into what is intelligence in animals.

An excellent read with a well balanced narritive.

Rating:
Summary: The Octopus and the Orangutan
Review: The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity written by Eugene Linden is a book on observation. Observantion of animal behavior, bringing together intrique with intelligence and ingenuity.

This book is the second book of two about this topic as the author has written "The Parrot's Lament. "The Octopus and the Orangutan looks for intelligence in animals, as we know animals exhibit intelligence in varing degrees, so the author describes stealth, deception, and friendship. But, that is not all, they exhibit intelligence in bargining and negotiations not only with their handlers, but among themselves.

Yes, animal intelligence is not on par with man's, but if you realize that an animal has intelligence you can begin to find out at what level the animal "understands." Then when you understand the animal you begin to set up a rudimentary communication. This book has examples of observed astonishing new animal behavior previously thought to be exclusively human.

The is a story about a remarkable Octopus and a colony of Orangutans and the observed behaviors that are quite remarkable, and of course, there are other stories throughout the book. If you like a book that really makes the most of observation, and combine it with animals. You'll have a book that warms you heart. A story about Mozart and his bird... a Starling that loved his melodies.

Now, that story I can relate to, as I have two Cockatiel's and when I play a Mozart CD the birds sing the music right along with the CD. Their favor Mozart is "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" as they sing it right after they are fed. I found this book to be a wonderful study of animal behavior through human observation, which gives the reader a good look into what is intelligence in animals.

An excellent read with a well balanced narritive.

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing animal tales
Review: What an entertaining and interesting read. I totally adored his "The Parrot's Lament" and was really excited to learn he had a new book. Eugene Linden presents some well studied proposals, with lots of information, in a clear format, and he is always careful to point out where the "scientific community" currently stands on each issue discussed. The dialogue surrounding animal intelligence is an intriguing one, and it's nice to see things from a non-scientist position...it is still well-informed, but he feels more free to use anecdotes. Still, each anecdote is presented on its own, not as supporting data, but as themselves...interesting moments that perhaps offer a glimpse not seen in many science journals. Plus, Orangutans are totally awesome.

Rating:
Summary: A follow-up to The Parrot's Lament
Review: With the publication of THE OCTOPUS AND THE ORANGUTAN, Eugene Linden has firmly established himself as a fine documenter of engaging animal behavior. In this, following the publication of his popular The Parrot's Lament, Linden explores more instances of possible signs of higher level thinking in animals. He tells of - and refers to often - the remarkable ability to escape and overcome obstacles by the smartest invertebrate, the octopus, perhaps the most surprising instance of adaptability. But he doesn't rely on stories involving the octopus and the orangutan, the two creatures in the title; he supplies examples of the intelligence of elephants, chimpanzees, dolphins, and squirrels, to name the most prevalent in these pages. Linden is always cautious not to attribute too much intelligence to possibly hard-wired behavior. His attitude seems to be, "Here's the evidence - this is what it might be, this is what it might not be."

Because Linden describes, albeit briefly, some of the examples described in his earlier book, I felt this one to be a little thinner in terms of content. Yes, he elaborates and supplies new details, but still, I felt somewhat cheated at times. Some paragraphs feel like filler as he states, and re-states, the obvious.

Despite the above flaws, this is a worthwhile read for animal lovers and those interested in popular science. The writing is simple and straightforward, an easy read all in all. It makes a good companion book to Linden's previous work on animal intelligence.