
The Wolf in the Parlor
The Eternal Connection Between Humans and Dogs
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Narrated by:
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George K. Wilson
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By:
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Jon Franklin
About this listen
As the intellectual pursuit of his subject began to take over Franklin's life, he married a dog lover and was quickly introduced to an ancient and powerful law of nature: love me, love my dog. Soon Franklin was sharing hearth and home with a soulful and clever poodle named Charlie. And so began one man's journey to the dogs, an odyssey that would take him from a 12,000-year-old grave to a conclusion so remarkable as to change our perception of ourselves.
Building on evolutionary science, archaeology, behavioral science, and the firsthand experience of watching his own dog evolve from puppy to family member, Franklin posits that man and dog are more than just inseparable; they are part and parcel of the same creature. Along the way, The Wolf in the Parlor imparts a substantial yet painless education on subjects as far-ranging as psychological evolution and neurochemistry.
In this groundbreaking book, master storyteller Franklin shatters the lens through which we see the world and shows us an unexpected, enthralling picture of the human/canine relationship.
©2009 Jon Franklin (P)2009 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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Editorial reviews
Narrator George Wilson is both saving grace and driving force in his expert rendition of Franklin's plodding narrative. There's a lot that's interesting in this history of the co-evolution of man and dog, but Franklin ekes it out almost grudgingly, while pouring on a heavy ladle of personal memoir and reflection. Wilson smoothes out and, to an important extent, justifies this imbalance between style and substance, providing a balance and purposefulness the text sometimes lacks. Recommended for those who love stories of the dog novice who's eventually won over, and then heartbroken, by the frolics, intelligence, instinct, and all-too-brief domestic career of one irresistible pooch.
Critic reviews
very informative
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What did you love best about The Wolf in the Parlor?
Jon is a likeable guy. Not too stubborn or rigid with a drole sense of humor. I love how his wife could guide him into life with dogs. Jon shared his daily life with Charlie and Charlie's relationship with Lynne, his wife. Jon refers himself to be the "Omega" in the pack that is their family unit of wife, man and dog.I enjoyed how he could talk about the science he was digging up on the origins of the dog (follower wolves) and their developing relationship with man and woman then share all his speculations about this information.
What did you like best about this story?
I anticipated what he would conclude all through the book. I was surprised by the last 2 chapters because of all the detail he could put the pieces together. He helped give me a new perspective on the thousands and thousands of years that bought about the development of our world today. It makes sense to me!Which character – as performed by George K. Wilson – was your favorite?
Jon - it was remarkable how quickly he came into sync with Charlie.I loved all the science and speculation!
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Wolf in the Parlor to be better than the print version?
Yes, George Wilson was the perfect narrator for this book.Which scene was your favorite?
It's a good mix of some interesting brain sciene, studies of the wolf, with really good dog stories. George Wilson has a casual reading style that adds to the book.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I have listened to this book more than once, and have shared the stories with many friends.Any additional comments?
The intro line is so relavent it go something like this "the certainies you held in your 20's become obsurities in your 50's" Oh, how true. This author has some really great insights.Interesting Science and great dog stories
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One of the best books ever!
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Five Woofs!
Brilliant reading for any dog person!
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His denigration of mixed-breed dogs rankled. I didn't let my shelter-rescued mutts listen.
On the whole, the book was informative and interesting, but did not meet my expectations.
The Poodle in The Parlor
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Read & Listened!
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More Science than Story
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Unfortunately, this book doesn't actually contain much science. It contains the coherent, well-written, and entertaining musings of a guy who does a little research and then spends a lot of time thinking about what it might mean. It's an enjoyable journey that touches here and there on actual science, but it's mostly speculation and anecdotes.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Did I learn anything from it? No.
Philosophy, not science
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I unequivocally recommend this book to all my friends, and have bought copies for a choice few. I've read this book twice and listened to the audiobook. I think its one of the most important works examining our place in the modern ecological world to be written in the last 50 years. There is obviously a deep, undying relationship between human and canine that has gone grossly under-researched given that of all the domesticated animals, the dog seems to be the only animal to which we continue our domesticated relationship into urban and suburban areas. It deserves more thought and attention because it's not the insight into the canine that is important, it is the insight into ourselves that holds the key.Who was your favorite character and why?
Charlie, of course!Have you listened to any of George K. Wilson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This is the only book of his to which I've listened, but I've read others.Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There are so many ah-ha moments in this book, but the section where the author draws a parallel into the shrinking of the human brain in evolutionary history coinciding with the proportional growth in the canine brain, that gives chills.Any additional comments?
I would go so far as to recommend this book for high school science teachers looking for a tangible way to teach about evolution, which captivates and maintains student interest as well as involves students in a very personal way (most will have dogs in their homes).A book for every dog-lover, nay, animal-lover
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