Why Animals Talk

Author Arik Kershenbaum
Narrator John Hastings
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Run Time 8 hours and 41 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Communication studies, Ethology and animal behaviour, Psycholinguistics and cognitive linguistics, Wildlife: general interest.

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Why Animals Talk is an exhilarating journey through the untamed world of animal communication. Drawing on the author's extensive research and observations of animals in the wild, the book shatters conventional wisdom and invites you to experience communication through the eyes of animals themselves.

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, and not only do dolphins give themselves names, but they also respond excitedly to recordings of the whistles of long-lost companions.

Why Animals Talk unravels the mysteries of animal communication, and in doing so reveals profound insights into our own language and how it relates to the world around us.

©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 has a rare talent for scientific storytelling . . . 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?

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

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'

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