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Digital Audiobook
Why Animals Talk by Arik Kershenbaum

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Why Animals Talk

Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd
Publish Date
25 January 2024
Run Time
8 hours 41 minutes
Format
Audiobook

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Why Animals Talk is a scientific journey through the untamed world of animal communication. From the majestic howls of wolves and the enchanting chatter of parrots to the melodic clicks of dolphins and the spirited grunts of chimpanzees, these diverse and seemingly bizarre expressions are far from mere noise. In fact, they hold secrets that we are just beginning to decipher.

For example, wolves – just like humans – possess unique accents that distinguish their howls; gibbons have different alarm-calls for leopards and snakes, and sing romantic duets with their partners; and dolphins not only give themselves names but respond excitedly to recordings of the whistles of long-lost companions.

Chapter by chapter and animal by animal, Kershenbaum draws on his extensive research and observations of animals in the wild to explain the science behind why animals are communicating. Also revealing profound insights into our own language and why it is different, In doing so, Why Animals Talks tells the comprehensive story of communication and how it works across the entire animal kingdom.


‘Wonderful . . . Endlessly interesting and beautifully written’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

‘Steady-headed and fun’ SUNDAY TIMES

‘Read this book and, I promise, you’ll never listen to animals in the same way again’ JESSICA PIERCE, author of Who’s a Good Dog?

‘Quirky, insightful . . . based on a deep understanding of recent research’ TIM CLUTTON-BROCK, author of Meerkat Manor

‘A new look at a fascinating subject’ DESMOND MORRIS, author of The Naked Ape

©2024 Arik Kershenbaum (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

  • Wonderful . . . Endlessly interesting and beautifully written

    Daily Telegraph

  • Steady-headed and fun

    Sunday Times

  • He writes like me

    Richard Dawkins

  • Kershenbaum helps us perceive how other animals sense their worlds, and in doing so, explores the evolutionary roots of our own advanced language skills. It is fitting that a book about communication is so conversational and engaging, and it will give you a new perspective on the richness of nature

    Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

See more reviews
  • Quirky, insightful . . . based on a deep understanding of recent research

    Tim Clutton-Brock, author of Meerkat Manor

  • A new look at a fascinating subject

    Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape

  • An entertaining journey through the science of animal communication, taking us into the oceanic
    world of dolphin clicks and teaching us about wolves’ accents – all while shedding light on our own language and world.

    iweekend

  • A delightfully entertaining journey through the science of animal communication, Why Animals Talk takes us into the oceanic world of dolphin clicks, teaches us about wolves' accents, shows us the power of parrot' chatter - all whiles shedding light on out own language and world

    inews' The best new books out this January'

User Reviews

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Details

Author
Arik Kershenbaum
Narrator
John Hastings
Duration
8 hours 41 minutes
Release Date
25 January 2024
ISBN
9781405962780
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd
Genre
Ethology and animal behaviour, Communication studies, Psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics, Wildlife: general interest

Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.Why Animals Talk is a scientific journey through the untamed world of animal communication. From the majestic howls of wolves and the enchanting chatter of parrots to the melodic clicks of dolphins and the spirited grunts of chimpanzees, these diverse and seemingly bizarre expressions are far from mere noise. In fact, they hold secrets that we are just beginning to decipher.For example, wolves – just like humans – possess unique accents that distinguish their howls; gibbons have different alarm-calls for leopards and snakes, and sing romantic duets with their partners; and dolphins not only give themselves names but respond excitedly to recordings of the whistles of long-lost companions.Chapter by chapter and animal by animal, Kershenbaum draws on his extensive research and observations of animals in the wild to explain the science behind why animals are communicating. Also revealing profound insights into our own language and why it is different, In doing so, Why Animals Talks tells the comprehensive story of communication and how it works across the entire animal kingdom.‘Wonderful . . . Endlessly interesting and beautifully written’ DAILY TELEGRAPH‘Steady-headed and fun’ SUNDAY TIMES‘Read this book and, I promise, you’ll never listen to animals in the same way again’ JESSICA PIERCE, author of Who’s a Good Dog?‘Quirky, insightful . . . based on a deep understanding of recent research’ TIM CLUTTON-BROCK, author of Meerkat Manor‘A new look at a fascinating subject’ DESMOND MORRIS, author of The Naked Ape©2024 Arik Kershenbaum (P)2024 Penguin Audio

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