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Liked It “I bought this book after volunteering at the very sanctuary that Washoe lived and am so glad I did. This book is about the amazing life of a chimpanzee that proved to the world that humans weren't the only intelligent creatures in the world. There may be a chimpanzee on the cover but this is a...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I bought this book after volunteering at the very sanctuary that Washoe lived and am so glad I did. This book is about the amazing life of a chimpanzee that proved to the world that humans weren't the only intelligent creatures in the world. There may be a chimpanzee on the cover but this is a book about overcoming adversity, sadness, unimaginable cruelty, and so much more. A book that will literally make you laugh out loud and cry in the same chapter; all the more memorable because this is a true story. ”
Ian wrote this review Sunday, April 14, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Is the use of language unique to humankind? How and when did our hominid ancestors acquire language? Do chimpanzees - who are genetically closer to humans than they are to other apes - have language abilities? Is sign language useful where other communication channels fail, for example in children with autism? Next of Kin addresses these and other questions through the story of a young female chimpanzee who was taught American Sign Language in the 1960s. Roger Fouts was assigned to Project Washoe, an initiative of Dr. Allen Gardner to raise a chimpanzee as a human child and communicate only through sign language (everyone who worked with Washoe had to take a vow of silence) and his observations are recorded in this book.
Louisa van der Luyden wrote this review Friday, November 9, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Fouts argues that it is a mistake to equate language with speech, that speech and the communication through gestures require the same cognitive basis for language in the brain, and that primates have had language capabilities for millions of years.
His experiences with Washoe - carefully recorded and scientifically tested - proved Chomsky and Descartes wrong and Darwin right: the use of language is not unique to humankind. Chimpanzees really are our next of kin.
An excellent, excellent work.”
“I read this book back in college. It was very interesting reading on this chimp was raised as a human child and learned sign language. ”
Chris wrote this review Monday, September 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good so far, though admittedly the anecdotes seemed a bit stretched at times.”
laura f wrote this review Monday, February 15, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Changed the way I think about other species, and thus the way I think about my own species. We are not that different than the other species that share Earth with us.”
Brad P wrote this review Friday, September 25, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“this book took me to a unforgetable experience in life: CHCI ”
Celina I wrote this review Tuesday, June 23, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is one of the most fascinating books I've read in some time. Fouts does an outstanding job of taking us into the world of Washoe and her family. This book will awaken the little activist within you.”
Cheyenne G wrote this review Friday, October 24, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A classic in ape language studies and the controversy surrounding chimpanzees in labs/captivity.”
TheLibrarian wrote this review Monday, April 7, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book is both sad and a true story. It clearly demonstrates that the human race needs to act more responsibly, especially when it comes to animals. Not recommended for the faint of heart.”
Hollie P wrote this review Sunday, March 23, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
