First published 1982
In the Arnhem Zoo, a colony of chimpanzees engages in a complex web of social maneuvering, sexual rivalries, and shifting alliances. As the troop's power dynamics shift, we witness the ebb and flow of dominance, coalitions, and political upheaval. This extraordinary account explores the sophisticated intelligence and recognizable "human" behaviors that govern the chimpanzees' interactions, reaffirming the deep bond between our species. Through vivid observations, we're drawn into the Machiavellian world of these our closest living relatives.
Genres: animals, 20th-century, anthropology, 21st-century, biology, academic
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: animal-perspective, nature-vs-nurture
Setting: Arnhem Zoo
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
232 pages · Paperback · Johns Hopkins University Press