The Chimpanzee and Me, by Ben Garrod
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BOOK REVIEW
The Chimpanzee and Me, by Ben Garrod Zephyr (Head of Zeus), London, 2019, pp. 200, Paperback ISBN: 9781788547611. UK 10.99 pounds sterling William C. McGrew1 Received: 25 June 2020 / Accepted: 25 June 2020 © Japan Monkey Centre and Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature 2020
Primatologists are sometimes asked by friends or family to recommend a book that will introduce them to nonhuman primates. As a primatologist who studies chimpanzees, I am often asked to suggest a book that teaches something about this particular species, usually starting from zero. It is easy to recommend a proven classic, such as de Waal’s Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes (1973) or Goodall’s In the Shadow of Man (1971), which were worldwide bestsellers, but these books are now decades old. So what should one recommend as an up-to-date, readable synthesis that especially emphasizes the perilous state of our endangered cousins? With the publication of Ben Garrod’s new book The Chimpanzee and Me this problem is now solved. Garrod, who is Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, is both a field and laboratory primatologist. His fieldwork includes the study of chimpanzees in Uganda, and laboratory work with green monkeys in Barbados. (The title of his PhD thesis was Primates of the Caribbean, reflecting a sense of humor that is not unlike that of Jack Sparrow.) Garrod also has a career as a presenter of BBC television documentaries on zoological topics, the latest of which, Baby Chimp Rescue, is tied to this book. This documentary is in three parts and shows the ups and downs of the committed work of Jimmy and Jenny Desmond, who run a sanctuary in Liberia for confiscated chimpanzees, mostly orphaned youngsters. The book spans the threats to wild chimpanzees that necessitate such a refuge, such as habitat destruction, the pet trade, hunting for bush meat, and disease. These are serious topics, and Garrod meets them head on, with his * William C. McGrew wcm2@st‑andrews.ac.uk 1
School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, South Street, St Andrews KY16 9JP, Fife, UK
writing lightened by irony and occasional sarcasm, especially in the 146 clever, self-deprecating footnotes. (I cannot recall the last time I saw footnotes—an endangered species in themselves these days—used so skillfully for light relief.) The other engaging feature of the book is its 58 high-quality color photographs, mostly appealing portraits of named young chimpanzees that live in the Desmonds’ sanctuary. However, the book does have some drawbacks, at least for someone seeking to follow up its introduction to the species, as there are no citations, bibliography, index, or list of books for further reading, just three website links. Still, the book is good value for money, and the proceeds go to chimpanzee projects in Africa. The author’s opening chapter sets the scene with a case study, the life story of a young female chimpanzee, and Garrod’s first encounter with her at Li
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