First published 2001
For two decades, Robert Sapolsky embedded himself in a Kenyan baboon troop, witnessing their power struggles, family dynamics, and remarkable intelligence. Amidst the craggy cliffs and dry savannas, he forged unexpected bonds with these highly social primates, challenging his own biases and perceptions. As poachers, disease, and the threat of violent encounters loom, Sapolsky's memoir offers a rare window into the complex emotional lives of our closest animal relatives.
Genres: animals, autobiography, anthropology, memoir, biology, africa
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: East Africa, Eastern Africa
304 pages · Paperback