A Primatologist's Notes. The Extraordinary Life of a Scientist Among Baboons

This book is a memoir of more than twenty years of renowned primatologist Robert Sapolsky's acquaintance with East Africa. As a young scientist, the author first arrived at the reserve in Kenya intending to test his theories about the nature of stress in humans on wild baboons, which is not surprising given how similar primates are to humans in their biological and psychological responses. In fact, Sapolsky does not separate himself from his subjects—his experimental animals, which is evident from the title of the book. This adds a special charm and power to the narrative. Together with the author, who has given his beloved subjects biblical names, we learn about their lives, sufferings, loves, rivalries, struggles for power, illnesses, and deaths. Equally vivid characters in the book are the locals: farmers, gamekeepers, petty bosses, and ordinary workers. Over two decades in Africa, Sapolsky experiences his own dangerous adventures, the tragedies of friends, and changes in political regimes—and writes about it in a way that makes you feel almost like a participant in the events