ANIMAL WISE The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures

Scientists have repeatedly demonstrated through rigorous study that the world is full of sentient beings. Ants teach, rats laugh, parrots converse, and elephants grieve. Can the knowledge of the social and emotional lives of animals change how humans interact with the natural world? Or, as Virginia Morell writes, "Even if an animal could talk, would we listen?" Kirsten Potter narrates this wide-ranging account of animal cognition. With a clear voice and empathetic tone, Potter embraces the personality of Morell's style, using reflective questions to engage the listener and varying accents and pitches to distinguish a variety of researchers. Notably, Potter doesn't hesitate in her vocalizations of the calls and sounds of the many animal subjects, strengthening the argument for their inherent capabilities and unique qualities. A.S. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2013]