On September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age thirty-one. His last words to his owner, Irene Pepperberg, were “You be good. I love you.”What would normally be a quiet, very private event was, in Alex’s case, headline news. Over the thirty years they had worked together, Alex and Irene had become famous—two pioneers who opened an unprecedented window into the … into the hidden yet vast world of animal minds. Alex’s brain was the size of a shelled walnut, and when Irene and Alex first met, birds were not believed to possess any potential for language, consciousness, or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Yet, over the years, Alex proved many things. He could add. He could sound out words. He understood concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none. He was capable of thought and intention. Together, Alex and Irene uncovered a startling reality: We live in a world populated by thinking, conscious creatures.
The fame that resulted was extraordinary. Yet there was a side to their relationship that never made the papers. They were emotionally connected to one another. They shared a deep bond far beyond science. Alex missed Irene when she was away. He was jealous when she paid attention to other parrots, or even people. He liked to show her who was boss. He loved to dance. He sometimes became bored by the repetition of his tests, and played jokes on her. Sometimes they sniped at each other. Yet nearly every day, they each said, “I love you.”
Alex and Irene stayed together through thick and thin—despite sneers from experts, extraordinary financial sacrifices, and a nomadic existence from one university to another. The story of their thirty-year adventure is equally a landmark of scientific achievement and of an unforgettable human-animal bond.
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It is An amazing story of love and hard work. Birds can be taught to speak. They can reason.
What a great read! I’m so impressed with the research and findings that the author discovered. Everyone should read this book and gain an appreciation that we are MORE alike animals than different.
Wish the writer would have told us what actually killed Alex. She mentioned that an autopsy was done, but never mentioned the cause of death.
The first chapter was rather boring–it belonged at the end or else much shorter.
I learned a lot about animal communication. I wish i could have met ALEX
Throughly enjoyed it.
Wonderful story of what the animal world is capable of.
What a wonderful book! A non-fictional account by a behavioral scientist studying animal intelligence. The Africa Gray parrot central to the study is truly a “character”, and so appealing, as is his mentor. You will be thoroughly amazed at the level of abstract intelligence Alex is discovered to have. And you’ll come to love him.
This book offered intriguing insight into non-human intelligence and emotion.
Proves humans are arrogant to think that we are the only intelligent creatures on our planet.
Loved it
This book is a fascinating study of the relationship between a researcher and a parrot. The parrot shatters all expectations of capacity for training and response, becoming the teacher in some tests.
Rest book
melancholic more than interesting. Watch National Geogrraphic
It was the smartest bird I ever heard of and I saw it a couple of time. It was just a short time after I finished the book that I heard he had died. It is so sad that it happen so soon after I read the book and the fact that he had only lived one half of his expected lifetime.
One more proof that we don’t really know much about the mental lives of animals.
This was a very enlightening subject! I loved reading about Alex and how he was capable of learning not only hard facts but could also be deliberately cantankerous at times and then apologetic and loving. I never knew a “bird brain” was capable of the things Alex did and will now look at birds in a new way.
Good story, so-so writing, but meaningful.
I wish I could have known Alex. His attitudinal, honest and willing spirit were wonderful to read. A beautiful story and well told. I was very glad I read it.
I enjoyed Alex & Me. I am interested in birds and thought Alex was fascinating.
Interesting, but a bit too focused on how brilliant the author is.