Behind The Mirror: A Search for a Natural History of Human Knowledge [Paperback]

Konrad Lorenz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 1978 | Series: Helen and Kurt Wolff Books

Nobel laureate Lorenz here investigates culture as a living system. From amoebas to humans, he traces the physiological mechanisms that direct behavior and thought. Translated by Ronald Taylor; Index. A Helen and Kurt Wolff Book.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

About the Author

Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989), Austrian zoologist, played a leading part in the foundation of ethology, the study of animal behavior. Most of his work was done at the Max Planck Institute of Behavioral Psychology, in Seewiesen, Bavaria. Lorenz studied greylag geese and jackdaws in particular, and rediscovered the principle of imprinting (originally described by Douglas Spalding in the nineteenth century). In 1973, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, sharing it with two other important ethologists, Niko Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch. His books for lay readers include "King Solomon's Ring", "Man Meets Dog", "Behind the Mirror", "Civilized Man's Eight Deadly Sins", and "The Year of the Greylag Goose".

Product Details

• Paperback: 261 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (September 11, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156117762
• ISBN-13: 978-0156117760
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #786,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential! Order this book so it gets back in print soon!, February 19, 2001

By 

Ralph-Michael (Seoul, South Korea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind the mirror: A search for a natural history of human knowledge (Paperback)

Konrad Lorenz hasn't recieved the praise his mind deserves. All political leanings aside--he had a nobel prize awarded and revoked--he is a brilliant thinker with essential theories on zoology and the meaning of life. This book outlines some of his early work with animal behavior. His work with ducks and geese and imprinting is phenomenal. It's amazing how thorough this man studied so many different creatures. And what's more is he never interfered with their habitats, he only observed what they would do without human tampering. In some ways he was an early conservationist and environmentalist.

To understand the implications of animal behavior for our own lives and what it means to the way we think, act and are, you must read this book. Lorenz should be up there right under Darwin in importance.

Unfortunately, this book is hard to find. I have a very old copy that I am lucky to find. Here I see it says that it's out of print. Please order this book. You will not be let down. And meanwhile you will help create demand for a book that should be on the shelves of all the bookstores both cyber and corporeal.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book (Nobel Prize not revoked), August 12, 2007

By 

noman (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind The Mirror: A Search for a Natural History of Human Knowledge (Paperback)

A great book by a great writer. however Konrad Lorenz Nobel Prize was never revoked. The prize can not be revoked. (www.aftenposten.no/english/world/article327396.ece) This is an urban legend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant, June 11, 2006

By 

M. Denny "The Adventure continues" (Hermosa Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind The Mirror: A Search for a Natural History of Human Knowledge (Paperback)

I have been a great admirer of Konrad Lorenz's works for many years and this book is one of his finest.

Some of his works are written more for the lay audience and are full of wonderful animal stories. Some are more scientific-- and when tranlated from the rigorous scientific German in which they were written-- are not quick and easy reads. That said, the reader who is willing to engage with the great intellect on display here will be greatly rewarded.

PS: Regarding the prior review, I did not know his Nobel was revoked. What was the reason?