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Next of Kin

What Chimpanzees Tell Us About Who We Are

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Next of Kin

By: Roger Fouts, Stephen Tukel Mills, Jane Goodall - introduction/notes
Narrated by: Roger Fouts
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About this listen

Roger Fouts fulfilled humankind's age-old dream of talking to animals by pioneering communication with chimpanzees through sign language. Now, in Next of Kin, Fouts tells the dramatic story of his odyssey from novice researcher to celebrity scientist and caretaker of a family of chimpanzees, to his impassioned awakening as a crusader for the rights of animals.

At the heart of this captivating audiobook is Fouts's magical 30-year friendship with Washoe, the chimpanzee he met when she jumped into his arms. We follow Washoe as she grows from a mischievous baby chimp fresh out of the NASA space program into the matriarch of a clan of chimpanzees. Living and conversing with these sensitive creatures has given Fouts a profound appreciation of how much we share with our closest biological relatives, and what they can teach us about ourselves.

This stirring tale of friendship, courage, and compassion will change forever the way we view our biological - and spiritual - Next of Kin.

©1997 Roger Fouts (P)1997 Simon & Schuster Animals Biological Sciences Language Learning Linguistics Outdoors & Nature Science Social Sciences Funny

Critic reviews

"A remarkable personal saga . . . and a searingly honest account of just what has happened, arid is all too often still happening, to these marvelously intelligent creatures." (Cleveland Amory)
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I was very positively surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I can't recall ever having been so captivated by, and immersed in, an audiobook. Beautifully presented, this true story is told straight from the heart, with such honesty and vulnerability, it moved me deeply. I learned a lot, about chimps and humans, about language and culture, and about science and (in)humanity. And am even more inspired now to help protect the rights of chimps and all sentient beings. I highly recommend this book to all!

Captivating and deeply touching

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