All Apes Great and Small: Volume 1: African Apes 2001 ed. [Hardback]

"The human race originated in Africa, from where it spread to all corners of the world. The remaining African primates, especially the apes, provide clues about our evolution. In this volume, some of the world's leading experts show us both what is fascinating about these animals and why we should be extremely worried about their future." (Frans de Waal, author of The Ape and the Sushi Master) "One of the greatest shameful tragedies of the 20th Century is acceleration of human destruction of natural habitats that are home to our nearest relatives, the apes. Just when we have the technical resources and refined methods to plumb their secrets, the apes are being extinguished in Africa and Asia. The papers in All Apes Great and Small not only document current knowledge about our fellow beings but also underscore how much remains to be learned about them, information that surely would enhance our understanding of the human condition and career." (Russell H. Tuttle, author of Apes of the World) "There is an impending crisis that the great apes could be extinct within 25 years. Comprehensive volumes like this one can help to avert tragedy, especially with a concluding section on the bush-meat crisis. Under the pioneering and inspirational leadership of Jane Goodall and Birute Galdikas, the editorial team have welded together a wealth of research data on the African apes. This provides a firm foundation for conservation and management programmes. Such books must not be allowed to become just a legacy to these fascinating apes - our closest relatives. Their habitats must be protected and/or managed sustainably, so that they can live on peacefully in perpetuity." (David J. Chivers, M.A., Ph.D. University Reader in Primate Biology and Conservation Wildlife Research Group, Dept. of Anatomy, University of Cambridge) "Although is a somewhat eclectic collection of papers rather than a cohesive, thematically integrated volume, this book contains much recent research on African great apes and will undoubtedly become a valued reference for primatologists worldwide." (L. Swedell, CUNY Queens College, in Choice (January 2003) "All Apes Great and Small is well-structured, informative and inspirational, giving realistic hope that retaining populations in African apes in the wild is possible. Each paper is not only well written but also a significant part of the book as a whole. The chapters discussing hominid divergence from their ape cousins often lead to fascinating yet controversial conclusions. This volume closes with a discussion of the moral status of apes. Cavalien and Singer elaborate on their argument that apes should be accorded rights that include liberty, life and freedom from torture. Although this idea is controversial among some primatologists, Cavalien and Singer very convincingly present their case for The Great Ape Project. [ All Apes Great and Small is] a recommended read for any primatologist with an interest in this subject." (Primate Eye, Primate Society of Great Britain, 81 (October 2003)