Vintage A Primate's Memoir: Love, Death and Baboons

Sapolsky has brilliant insights with both primate and human behaviour. His writing is a pleasure. It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time.

"A Primate's Memoir" by Robert M. Sapolsky is a captivating and humorous exploration of the author's unconventional life as a neuroscientist studying baboons in East Africa. Sapolsky takes readers on a fascinating journey through the Serengeti, blending scientific insights with personal anecdotes to create a unique and engaging memoir.The book provides a rare glimpse into the world of primatology, offering a delightful mix of science, adventure, and humor. Sapolsky's narrative skillfully weaves together his experiences living among wild baboons with the complexities of primate behavior, neurobiology, and the challenges of field research. The author's witty and self-deprecating writing style adds a charming touch to the narrative, making it accessible to both scientific and general audiences.Sapolsky's dedication to his research is evident, as he shares the highs and lows of his fieldwork, from the amusing antics of baboons to the harsh realities of life in the African wilderness. The author's genuine passion for both his subject matter and the natural world shines through, creating a narrative that is not only informative but also deeply human.One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an engaging and easily digestible manner. Sapolsky seamlessly integrates his research findings into the narrative, making it an educational experience without sacrificing the entertainment value of the memoir. Readers will find themselves learning about neurobiology, social dynamics, and the interconnectedness of life in the animal kingdom, all while being thoroughly entertained."A Primate's Memoir" is more than just a scientific account; it is a reflection on the interplay between humanity and the animal kingdom, offering insights into our shared evolutionary history. Sapolsky's ability to blend humor, science, and personal anecdotes makes this memoir a delightful and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the natural world, anthropology, or the joys and challenges of scientific exploration.

Robert Sapolsky is my favourite scientist. He thinks and teaches interdisciplinary and turns thinking into an adventure. His humour and jokes are actually funny because he is intelligent, witty and curious about the world and everything in it. This book is easy to read and contains anecdotes from his research in Africa. I would have enjoyed reading more about the science part but I guess I will find it in the zebra book. Can recommend this book and his free(!!!) Stanford University course on Human Behavioural Biology on YouTube. Robert S. is a rockstar scientist and the most beautiful mind I have ever had the privilege to share my time with.

If you think that a scientist can't possibly entertain you, this book could prove you wrong. As a naive doctoral student sent to Africa to study baboons, Sapolsky discovers, not only his study subjects, but also all kinds of people, first and foremost himself, the primate in the book's title.

Sapolsky is an excellent writer and lecturer. This memoir is an engaging look into his origin story.