Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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PS: Regarding the prior review, I did not know his Nobel was revoked.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

An interesting overview by a Nobel Prize of the way he would remake human nature, if he had been able; as the way it ought to have been. His earlier books such as "King Solomon's Ring" and "Man meets Dog {as well as giggles about women and cats, both unmentioned in the title} were pot-boilers for the street with some excellent observations about fish and birds, but dubious and/or nonsense poking fun about dogs and humans - which in my opinion forewarned of his attitude about humans and dogs to fit marketing and ideology preferences - precursors of "Behind the Mirror ... " The book can have immense value to researchers of the history of animal behavioral research.