
Next of Kin
What Chimpanzees Tell Us About Who We Are
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Narrated by:
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Roger Fouts
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 & SchusterListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
Compassion in Action
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Even Better Than Reading it Alone
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Fascination, Heartbreaking, Inspirational
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What made the experience of listening to Next of Kin the most enjoyable?
This is one of the most amazing stories that I've come across. The fact that it is narrated by the author is a plus, as at times you can actually hear true emotion in his voice.What was one of the most memorable moments of Next of Kin?
The most memorable moment to me was easily a moment involving Washoe and one of the aides who had just returned from having a miscarriage. The exchange between the two actually brought tears to my eyes. It was truly amazing.Truly amazing story
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Reshapes thinking
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"It was Washoe who taught me that human is only an adjective that describes being. The essence of who I am is not my humanness, but my beingness" Roger Fouts, Next of Kin
deeply moving story
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So much well presented information
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