When Elephants Weep Audiobook By Jeffrey Masson, Susan McCarthy cover art

When Elephants Weep

The Emotional Lives of Animals

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When Elephants Weep

By: Jeffrey Masson, Susan McCarthy
Narrated by: David Ackroyd
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In the late 19th century, Charles Darwin was sure that humans and animals showed emotion through remarkably similar behaviors, noting, "The Indian elephant is said sometimes to weep." For over 100 years, animal lovers have known that their dogs, cats, and other pets have complex emotional lives. When Elephants Weep is the first book since Darwin's to thoroughly and effectively explore the full range of emotions throughout the animal kingdom.

Scholar and psychoanalyst Masson, with the help of Susan McCarthy, presents scientific evidence, fascinating anecdotes, and illuminating insights that offer powerful proof of the existence of animal emotion. When Elephants Weep draws upon the illuminating experiences of animal trainers and pet owners to create riveting and revolutionary stories that will permanently change and enrich the way we look at animals.

©2009 Jeffrey Masson, Susan McCarthy (P)2022 Phoenix Books Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Emotions Elephant

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There were many anecdotes of interest in this book. I do think there are biased views, particularly on the use of animals and research and the way those animals are treated. I am not a research research; however, I have worked with research animals as the veterinarian who oversees their care and I have seen more animal abuse in the pet world than ever in a research environment. There are strict protocols for how the animals are housed and treated, especially managing pain or discomfort. There are far more legal requirements for doing animal research than owning a pet. I have worked in veterinary practice as well and seen far more cruelty that people have inflicted upon their own pets versus what I experienced in research facilities. I have my own biases, but at least they’re based on firsthand experience.

Many interesting theories about animal behavior

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Not as objective as I expected and would have liked. I am an animal lover and a dog owner but this book was way too biased and sentimental for me.

Animal Rights

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This audio is not identical to text in the book and skips over many portions.

Great perspective, but one thing stood out...

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The book reads like a journal. It is not well written and lacks the the consistency from a “scholarly” perspective

Moderate

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Animals and all sentient beings deserve to live their life in peace. Human beings are not in anyway superior to any other being. In fact humans have a very long way to go to come close to the evolutionary status of animals.

Beautiful book

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I laughed, I cried, I thought deeply about things that I never considered to think of before. Definitely one of my favorites!

Very thought and emotional provoking!

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Humans tend to be arrogant about their supposed superiority but this book shows how wrong this is. Animals other than humans are not dim robotic shadows of humans but worlds unto themselves.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There isn't a character. The authors are describing the mental lives that other species live.

Have you listened to any of David Ackroyd’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think so but he did very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I did.

Any additional comments?

If you think "man shall govern the beasts" or whatever the Bible says Wrong. The BibLe written by humans. Don't think anyone witnessed GOD guiding someone. Other species on this planet are just as important and entitled to their lives.

Enter the mind of another being

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The book is a simple, straight forward look on where humans have viewed other animals historically, proof to point to not support and support the view, and how as a whole, animals feel. This will be a "well duh" but beautiful book for animal lovers. This may or may not challenge your view if you view humans as "top of the food chain" or to have "dominion over all animals". But it worth the quick read and shows real thought to subject.

Beautiful discussion on all emotions...

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Don’t bother with this book. Anyone who has a pet or has compassion, already knows that animals have feelings and that they feel pain. This book graphically and horrifically describes animal abuse trying to persuade scientist that animals actually do have feelings. I wish someone could put these “scientists” through the same torture they put these animals through. Only then could we learn if scientists have feelings of pain and suffering.

If you already know animals have emotions..,

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