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

By Eugene Linden

Book Overview

In The Octopus and the Orangutan, Eugene Linden takes readers on another unforgettable journey into the minds and hearts of animals. The Parrot's Lament, his acclaimed previous book, featured extraordinary true stories of animal consciousness and intelligence. Linden's latest book goes beyond our everyday encounters with animals at home and in the zoo in a wide-ranging collection of real-life anecdotes that offer further compelling evidence of their higher mental capabilities and their awareness of the needs and feelings of others. The Octopus and the Orangutanreveals extraordinary new details about animals introduced in The Parrot's Lament, and then finds intelligent behavior in surprising new places, ranging from the octopus's garden to the crow's nest. Amazing feats of stealth, deception, and larceny accompany unexpected acts of kindness and friendship. Animals show they are cagey bargainers and tough negotiators both with their human keepers and with one another. The animals themselves are our guides in this fresh look at the question of animal intelligence. From the beloved pets we think we know to the remarkable survival skills of creatures in the wild, Eugene Linden once again shares his wonder and joy at the infinite variety of animal behavior that continues to inform, amaze, and touch us all.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525946616
• ISBN13: 9780525946618
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Dutton
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Great content delivered with a light touch

This is not a deep behavioral treatise about animal intelligence, but is nonetheless thought provoking. Which I like. The author examines a reasonably wide range of anecdotal incidents from around the world that, for the thoughtful reader, will elicit those deeper questions. After reading a chapter (or two) I always found myself rethinkng what I had read for some time before moving on. The author is careful to point out where he is editorializing or speculating about what some curious event may "mean", and remains fairly neutral in this regard. The easy going style of exposition favors the inquisitive reader and is always fun and enjoyable. This is simply "a good read" for just about anyone who shares a curiosity about the subject--whether a beginner or a bit more advanced. I recommend this book to everyone.

Who'd a thunk it!

Our local newspaper carried a story about octopi and their intelligence and referenced this book. The story intrigued me because I'd never read anywhere that creatures like octopi had much intelligence. Of course, I had to buy the book! And what a book it is! Well written, funny, and very enjoyable, it's also very easy to understand. I particularly like the way it shows that octopi not only display intelligence but a sense of humor as well. Orangutans, of course, are well-known for their intelligence; but I'd never dreamed just how smart these animals really are. If only I could get over their creepy looks...

Animal Intelligence

People who enjoy thinking about evolution, artificial and natural intelligence, and consciousness will want to read this book. It is a quick read worth the price.

A follow-up to The Parrot's Lament

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.

The Octopus and the Orangutan

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.