Our Wild Niche [Paperback]

Laurie Cookson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 1999

Wouldnt it be great to be wild? To be so natural and free that we could do whatever we want. But we cant. If our species went wild the results could be very unpleasant. We might lose control. Our species has allowed itself to become artificial in its efforts to be careful and considerate. But what if we have made a mistake and miss the real value of wildness? In nature, not all animals are evolving, but all of them are wild. Why? Evolution is survival of the wildest, not survival of the fittest. Being wild allows an animal to become efficient in its niche. Wild species flourish in natural diversity and harmony. How do they do it? Our Wild Niche explores what it is to be wild, the obstacles that stand in the way of our being wild, and the human traits that will come forward when we finally do reach our wild niche. It also shows how the wildness links "everything" together into a sensible and complete package that will give new insight into the role of our human emotions, feelings, instincts, adaptations and desires.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laurie Cookson has a Ph.D in Zoology and lives with his wife and two children in Australia where he is employed as a scientist. He started writing Our Wild Niche when he was nineteen after being inspired by wild nature, and for twenty-five years has kept the development of this work lizard rather than human influenced.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (August 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583483683
• ISBN-13: 978-1583483688
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,438,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Wild Niche (Paperback)

At last, a book that tells us that our true nature is beautiful. The premise that humans need to access their instinctive, honest, animal selves - is fascinating.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag, with some parts inspiring but some slow., October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Wild Niche (Paperback)

This book is a real mixed bag. Much of it hums along, but then some parts are hard to understand. I actually read it twice, and the second time through let a lot more fall into place. I am also amazed at the breadth of subjects that the author covers, and what made him think of so many things. I thought I was getting a book about the wilderness, but it soon spread out to be a commentary on 'everything'. The parts I liked were about `the wildness', and pointing out that there is more happening in nature than just evolution. The parts on desire and the `interaction desire' were also very interesting, and his conclusion that desire is the beginning for all subsequent emotions seems a real breakthrough. The parts I found difficult were a section on instincts, and another on equality. But all in all it is well worth a look. It is certainly different.

5.0 out of 5 stars An real eye-opener, October 13, 2008

By 

Jarek (Califonia USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Our Wild Niche (Paperback)

This book is an interesting expansion of environmental psychology. The argument that being and living natural prevents mental illness is most revealing. I'll never look at "wild" animals the same way again.