The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "As I sit here, poised to write an amusing story about ape intelligence, a squirrel peers down at me from a branch in the oak..." (more)
Key Phrases: octopus intelligence, higher mental abilities, other orangs, Harry Peachey, Heavy Lamar, Ann Russon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Eugene Linden, writer for Time magazine, revisits the territory of his Parrot's Lament, delving deeper into the animal world, and reemerges with The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity. From the observations of trainers and handlers as well as experiences in the wild, Linden presents anecdotes that illustrate the workings of the minds of both domestic and wild creatures-how they use tools, play games and adapt to change. In "When Elephants Cheat," Linden explores animal deception; in "The Starling that Charmed Mozart," the composer's bird is thought to have sung his music. Linden brings readers closer to an understanding of intelligence in general and an appreciation of these creatures with whom we share the earth.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Although admittedly not a scientist, Linden, the author of several books and articles about animal intelligence and environmental issues, infuses this sequel to his successful Parrot's Lament with important scientific concepts and interesting conundrums relating to animal intelligence. Entertaining and captivating anecdotes about sly octopuses, orangutan escape artists, and penguins mimicking football-playing scientists in Antarctica leaven Linden's graceful musings and also make his discussion of potentially daunting concepts such as convergent evolution or Morgan's Canon more digestible to the lay reader. In the end, elements of intelligence such as empathy, deception, communication, cooperation, and imitation between animals and their human keepers led Linden to "focus on what intelligence does." This is much more than a collection of fascinating tales of animals coping with life in human-imposed environments; it is a thoughtful exploration of the nature of intelligence in both humans and animals. Recommended for popular science collections. (Bibliography and index not seen.) Ann Forister, Roseville P.L., CA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; First Edition edition (August 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525946616
• ISBN-13: 978-0525946618
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,378,820 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A follow-up to The Parrot's Lament, November 4, 2002

By	Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

With the publication of THE OCTOPUS AND THE ORANGUTAN, Eugene Linden has firmly established himself as a fine documenter of engaging animal behavior. In this, following the publication of his popular The Parrot's Lament, Linden explores more instances of possible signs of higher level thinking in animals. He tells of - and refers to often - the remarkable ability to escape and overcome obstacles by the smartest invertebrate, the octopus, perhaps the most surprising instance of adaptability. But he doesn't rely on stories involving the octopus and the orangutan, the two creatures in the title; he supplies examples of the intelligence of elephants, chimpanzees, dolphins, and squirrels, to name the most prevalent in these pages. Linden is always cautious not to attribute too much intelligence to possibly hard-wired behavior. His attitude seems to be, "Here's the evidence - this is what it might be, this is what it might not be."

Because Linden describes, albeit briefly, some of the examples described in his earlier book, I felt this one to be a little thinner in terms of content. Yes, he elaborates and supplies new details, but still, I felt somewhat cheated at times. Some paragraphs feel like filler as he states, and re-states, the obvious.

Despite the above flaws, this is a worthwhile read for animal lovers and those interested in popular science. The writing is simple and straightforward, an easy read all in all. It makes a good companion book to Linden's previous work on animal intelligence.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Octopus and the Orangutan, October 27, 2002

By	Joe Zika "Khemprof" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity written by Eugene Linden is a book on observation. Observantion of animal behavior, bringing together intrique with intelligence and ingenuity.

This book is the second book of two about this topic as the author has written "The Parrot's Lament. "The Octopus and the Orangutan looks for intelligence in animals, as we know animals exhibit intelligence in varing degrees, so the author describes stealth, deception, and friendship. But, that is not all, they exhibit intelligence in bargining and negotiations not only with their handlers, but among themselves.

Yes, animal intelligence is not on par with man's, but if you realize that an animal has intelligence you can begin to find out at what level the animal "understands." Then when you understand the animal you begin to set up a rudimentary communication. This book has examples of observed astonishing new animal behavior previously thought to be exclusively human.

The is a story about a remarkable Octopus and a colony of Orangutans and the observed behaviors that are quite remarkable, and of course, there are other stories throughout the book. If you like a book that really makes the most of observation, and combine it with animals. You'll have a book that warms you heart. A story about Mozart and his bird... a Starling that loved his melodies.

Now, that story I can relate to, as I have two Cockatiel's and when I play a Mozart CD the birds sing the music right along with the CD. Their favor Mozart is "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" as they sing it right after they are fed. I found this book to be a wonderful study of animal behavior through human observation, which gives the reader a good look into what is intelligence in animals.

An excellent read with a well balanced narritive.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not So Simple Minds, October 20, 2002

By	"ecobeetle" (Burnaby) - See all my reviews

It is of no dispute that animals display varying levels of intelligence. Occasionally, many creatures seem to display human-like emotions and temperaments. Our pets' eyes sometimes seem to sparkle with an attentive knowledge and other animals, such as dolphins and apes, display a level of intelligence that leaves us in a state of wonderment. `The Octopus and the Orangutan - More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity' by Eugene Linden offers glimpses into these telling displays and actions which occasionally bridge the gap between human and animal. It is an eye-opening and touching read, sprinkled with humour and amazing insights into the brains of not only octopus and orangutan but elephants, bonobos, cats, orcas and many more. `The Octopus and the Orangutan' is creatively researched and warmly written. Eugene Linden has taken his wonderful book `The Parrots Lament' and taken it further with new reports and insights into animal activities that will amaze and astound you. `The Octopus and the Orangutan - More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity' by Eugene Linden explores the activity inside the not so simple minds of creatures that often don't behave like animals at all.