Peacemaking among Primates (Paperback)

~ Frans B. M. de Waal (Author) "Fires start, but fires also go out..." (more)
Key Phrases: conditional reassurance, reconciliation behavior, rhesus group, Wisconsin Primate Center, San Diego Zoo, Arnhem Zoo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The author ( Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes , LJ 12/15/82) here contrasts reconciliation behavior in chimpanzees, bonobos ("pygmy chimpanzees"), rhesus and stumptailed monkeys, and humans, to demonstrate the wide range of peacemaking strategies among primates. This book balances previous studies on aggression by examining the role of reconciliation in strengthening social ties. While the chapter on human peacemaking is superficial, it emphasizes the need for further research. De Waal's thesis should interest scholars in many fields, while his anecdotal approach will appeal to general readers. Recommended.
- Beth Clewis, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community Coll. Lib., Richmond
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

De Waal's message is simple yet profound...[He describes] in lucid and vivid prose the peacemaking strategies of four non-human primates he has studied in captivity...His analysis should prove compelling for any reader who has ever made up after a fight--in short, for anyone.
--Barbara Smuts (Natural History )

Probably the most clearly written, consistently and infectiously readable reporting of scientific research since T. H. Huxley popularized Darwin.
--Booklist

Lorenz sought to trace the origins of human aggressive impulses. Now, 20 years later, the Lorenzian mantle--considerably transformed--has slipped onto the shoulders of a young Dutch ethologist named Frans de Waal. Once again we have a keen observer who immerses himself in the social lives of other animals. Like Lorenz, de Waal is eager to let his thoughts range widely and speculatively in order to extract from comparisons of human beings with other animals take-home messages about global issues of peace and war.
--Sarah Blaffer Hrdy (New York Times Book Review )

Entertaining and exhaustively researched...Among the most perceptive and provocative of ethologists, [de Waal presents] persuasive evidence that the ruthless law of the jungle does not necessarily apply to humanity's closest relatives.
--Peter Gorner (Chicago Tribune )

The best book published on the nature of conflict since Lorenz's On Aggression. (Science Books and Films )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067465921X
• ISBN-13: 978-0674659216
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #352,885 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars oh, almost forgot to mention the adorable photos, June 13, 2006

By	My Uncle Stu (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I've been rereading Franz De Waal's books for the first time since my old Anthro days. I remember why I enjoyed them so much. The stories are mesmerizing and the implications are worth thinking about. But I was annoyed at the endless debate that always had to go hand and hand with this type of research. That was the problem with the social sciences. A handful of tools in every crowd will find a way to turn even the most fascinating topics tedious.

Obviously it's not above criticism. Anytime you have animals observing other animal's behavior, there is inherent subjectivity. Ethology is specifically human animals observing non-humans, so even more room for subjective error. It's interesting, though, the projection that goes into play. We looked up into the skies and created a god in our own narcissistic image, a god of love whose behavior could be quite vengeful and sadistic. Then we looked around at the animal kingdom and project again. Some of us see fluffy teddy bears, some of us see savagery, and some people see a shooting gallery.

The old-school, male-dominated scientific community looked at primate communities and saw a hierarchy of males, based on brute strength and bullying, in competition over the females. A newer generation, influenced by cultural changes, was able to look at the same thing and see the subtle and intricate social machinations that go into resolving conflicts and maintaining the peace in between fights. Turns out the apes who rise to the top of the hierarchy actually maintain their success by establishing good alliances with other males, undermining the alliances of their most serious competitors, and establishing alliances with the females as well (kissing babies). They actually seem to prefer to fight as little as possible. And when battles are inevitable, they are preceded by long periods of escalating bluffing. What do you know?

Critics say that this isn't the whole story. Yeah? No kidding. I wish people didn't feel the need to point that out. Why would any one persons take on anything be the whole story. Can we all agree that nothing is whole story? Stop deconstructing all the time and start a little constructing every now and then. Even when the pendulum swings to far, it cuts a wider swath, and we have more of the story to work with.

The other debate around this type of research is whether or not any level of anthropomorphizing is legitimate. It's an important question to acknowledge but I think if we are starting with the understanding that all of this research is inherently biased, that it is qualitative in nature, that the act of observing alters the observed, blah, blah, blah, it's all old territory now. Keep it in mind, then move on. Every type of research has its own strengths and its own limitations, and what you do with the information should be tempered accordingly. That said, I think it takes just as much of a leap of faith to watch a primate community interacting and deny that there is anything going on in the heads of the animals other than reflexes. They may not have our fat frontal lobes, but they have something, and they have a hippocampus for processing memory, and they have a limbic system for coding their memories with emotional weight. I'll invoke the totem of projection one last time and wonder what can of deficiencies exist in the mind of someone who is adamant that animals can't have any self-awareness, can't worry about dangers, can't love their babies with anything higher than hypothalamic, selfish-gene love.

Anyway, philosophy aside, enjoy some cute animal stories from our troglodytic friends.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Work of our time, December 1, 2006

By	Morgan Witthoft (austin, tx USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very good book for those interested in primate behavior. Or, for those not yet interested in primate behavior. Or for anybody sentient.

The writing and storytelling are vibrant enough that you can read this for pure fun.

The level of insight, the author's power of questioning, the mix of rigorous observation and inference with boundary-crossing insight, are thrilling and rare.

The offer to improve our understanding of ourselves along with primates makes this a book of great power.

I read this several years ago and still find myself dwelling on the ideas. I find myself viewing the world differently and more hopefully because of it. A pity I lent my copy out one time too many. Maybe I'll buy another.

6 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delve into the plotting and complex society of primates., March 22, 1999

By A Customer

Very good book for those interested in primate behavior in general. De Waal is an execellent writer and produces books that flow very easily while keeping you interested.