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The Dolphin in the Mirror: Exploring Dolphin Minds and Saving Dolphin Lives
This scientific memoir by an aquarium researcher “illuminate[s] the world of the dolphin’s amazing intelligence and playfulness.” —Temple Grandin “One comes away from Reiss’s book agreeing that ‘dolphins are among the smartest creatures on the planet’ and that they merit not just our attention but our care and protection.” —The New York Times Dolphins are creative and self-aware, with distinct personalities and the ability to communicate with humans. They craft their own toys, use underwater keyboards, and live in complex societies throughout the seas. And yet, some nations continue to slaughter them indiscriminately. Diana Reiss is one of the world’s leading experts on dolphin intelligence. Her decades of research and interactions with dolphins have made her a strong advocate for their global protection. In The Dolphin in the Mirror, Reiss demonstrates just how smart dolphins really are, and makes a compelling case for why we must protect them. “Reiss, who served as an adviser on the Oscar-winning 2009 film ‘The Cove’ . . . writes passionately about the need to protect these sentient creatures.” —The Washington Post “Reiss fills the book with such intriguing tales and with the science behind them. . . . Reiss is passionate about her science, but she is passionate about her subjects as well.” —The Tampa Bay Times “Her enthusiasm is contagious.” —Publishers Weekly “Reiss has managed no small feat—synthesizing personal experience, descriptive material, and scientific fact. . . . No one reading this book could possibly remain untouched by the beauty and intelligence of these powerful mammals of the sea.” —Irene Pepperberg, author of Alex & Me
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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1269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 12, 2018
TAIJIとFUTO JAPANの陸上でのイルカの季節的な移動を停止する。請願書に署名してください。ありがとうございました。savedolphins.eii.org/campaigns/sjd
The mirror test for dolphins (and elephants) demonstrates their ability to recognize a live image of themselves, thus proving the animal’s self-consciousness, a sign of advanced cognition. Dolphins are actually the only animals on earth who have brains bigger than ourselves. The book is an overview of recent research into dolphin cognition. It’s a really decently written popular science title. The grounding story surveys biologist Diana Reiss's fascinating thirty years of research into the spectacularly inquisitive minds of bottlenose dolphins. She’s emotional here in a way that she can't be in her data-driven scientific papers— she’s written many—and the anecdotes are astonishing. I especially liked the brief history of dolphin-human interactions from antiquity to the present day. Brief online videos augment the text. Moreover, the book contains a conservation argument the world desperately needs to hear.
STOP THE SEASONAL SLAUGHTER OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS AT TAIJI AND FUTO JAPAN. Please sign the petition at savedolphins.eii.org/campaigns/sjd. Thank you.
The mirror test for dolphins (and elephants) demonstrates their ability to recognize a live image of themselves, thus proving the animal’s self-consciousness, a sign of advanced cognition. Dolphins are actually the only animals on earth who have brains bigger than ourselves. The book is an overview of recent research into dolphin cognition. It’s a really decently written popular science title. The grounding story surveys biologist Diana Reiss's fascinating thirty years of research into the spectacularly inquisitive minds of bottlenose dolphins. She’s emotional here in a way that she can't be in her data-driven scientific papers— she’s written many—and the anecdotes are astonishing. I especially liked the brief history of dolphin-human interactions from antiquity to the present day. Brief online videos augment the text. Moreover, the book contains a conservation argument the world desperately needs to hear.
STOP THE SEASONAL SLAUGHTER OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS AT TAIJI AND FUTO JAPAN. Please sign the petition at savedolphins.eii.org/campaigns/sjd. Thank you.
October 18, 2011
As much as I wanted to like this book it didn't click for me.
If you are interested in questions like what it means to be self-aware or related questions then you should enjoy this book. In it Reiss spends too many pages detailing how she did different experiments designed to discover if dolphins are self-aware. Reiss then spends too many more pages reflecting on her conclusions and on her emotional bonds to her subjects.
I imagine that it would be virtually impossible not to develop emotional and deeply sentimental connections with dolphins if you worked with them every day. The risk of having those kinds of emotional connections and trying to do objective, empirical research, however, is that it becomes increasingly difficult to minimize bias in that kind of setting. You see, if you love dolphins and you have a pre-existing bias that they are intelligent, there is a very real risk that when they do something it will be interpreted as intelligence. Am I saying that dolphins are not intelligent? No. What I'm saying is that what Reiss did was extremely difficult...to manage to separate bias and observation enough to do some good science.
Reiss also gets into the topic of marine mammal protection, not using conservation as the argument, but that humans have a moral obligation to protect other species that show evidence of self-awareness and intelligence. That's an interesting idea, but, sadly, that argument has not yet shown an ability to sway nations like Japan that continue to harvest wild dolphins for marine mammal parks, shows, etc., and also butcher the rest for sale as food. For more on this particular situation you should watch the documentary, The Cove.
The heavy dose of sentimentality and writing that is not really engaging (for me) leads me to award 3 stars for this book.
If you are interested in questions like what it means to be self-aware or related questions then you should enjoy this book. In it Reiss spends too many pages detailing how she did different experiments designed to discover if dolphins are self-aware. Reiss then spends too many more pages reflecting on her conclusions and on her emotional bonds to her subjects.
I imagine that it would be virtually impossible not to develop emotional and deeply sentimental connections with dolphins if you worked with them every day. The risk of having those kinds of emotional connections and trying to do objective, empirical research, however, is that it becomes increasingly difficult to minimize bias in that kind of setting. You see, if you love dolphins and you have a pre-existing bias that they are intelligent, there is a very real risk that when they do something it will be interpreted as intelligence. Am I saying that dolphins are not intelligent? No. What I'm saying is that what Reiss did was extremely difficult...to manage to separate bias and observation enough to do some good science.
Reiss also gets into the topic of marine mammal protection, not using conservation as the argument, but that humans have a moral obligation to protect other species that show evidence of self-awareness and intelligence. That's an interesting idea, but, sadly, that argument has not yet shown an ability to sway nations like Japan that continue to harvest wild dolphins for marine mammal parks, shows, etc., and also butcher the rest for sale as food. For more on this particular situation you should watch the documentary, The Cove.
The heavy dose of sentimentality and writing that is not really engaging (for me) leads me to award 3 stars for this book.
August 8, 2011
Who is that dolphin in the mirror? When a dolphin looks in a mirror, does it know it is looking at itself? Dolphin expert Diana Reiss says yes, and her colleagues agree. Reiss has spent 30 years studying dolphins and getting to know them as intimately as one can hope to know a marine mammal species. Central to her research were experiments to determine if a dolphin could recognize itself as itself in a mirror, rather than thinking it is seeing another dolphin.
Mirror self-recognition is considered a sign of extremely high intelligence, and was previously believed possible only in humans and higher primates such as chimpanzees. Dolphins have now been added to that elite category. Once a dolphin figures out that the image in the mirror is himself, he will explore his body, gazing into his own eyes, checking out his teeth, and displaying various body parts for self-inspection. If a researcher makes a mark on a dolphin's body, the dolphin will quickly swim to the mirror and orient himself so as to look at the mark. This "mark test" was first used on primates and is considered the definitive proof of mirror self-recognition.
The self-recognition findings are the pinnacle of Reiss's work, but there's much more to the book. She discusses dolphin myths in various cultures and the centuries-long history of man's fascination with dolphins. She also outlines some of her other dolphin intelligence studies, including an underwater keyboard dolphins could use to select a specific toy or other reward. The stories of dolphin antics during the various experiments were my favorite parts of the book. The author is careful not to ascribe human traits to these animals, but it seems to me they have quite a sense of humor. They're also prone to behaviors strongly resembling empathy and service.
Near the end of the book, Reiss slips out of her role as scientist and into that of activist. She describes the brutal slaughter techniques used on dolphins in Taiji, Japan. These practices were the subject of the 2009 film "The Cove," which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Film. These dolphins are the victims of several methods of slow, painful death, including something resembling a torture rack. The Japanese government has refused to ban these inhumane practices, but Diana Reiss is not giving up.
Reiss writes with a style that is easy for anyone to understand. She maintains scientific integrity while avoiding pretentiousness or oversimplification. The organizational structure of the book seems a little odd at times, but it's not a major drawback. The stories of the antics and exploits of the dolphins Reiss worked with over the years made me laugh out loud, and sometimes laugh and cry at the same time. I would have liked to see even more of these stories, and perhaps a little less of the history of research done on species other than dolphins.
Mirror self-recognition is considered a sign of extremely high intelligence, and was previously believed possible only in humans and higher primates such as chimpanzees. Dolphins have now been added to that elite category. Once a dolphin figures out that the image in the mirror is himself, he will explore his body, gazing into his own eyes, checking out his teeth, and displaying various body parts for self-inspection. If a researcher makes a mark on a dolphin's body, the dolphin will quickly swim to the mirror and orient himself so as to look at the mark. This "mark test" was first used on primates and is considered the definitive proof of mirror self-recognition.
The self-recognition findings are the pinnacle of Reiss's work, but there's much more to the book. She discusses dolphin myths in various cultures and the centuries-long history of man's fascination with dolphins. She also outlines some of her other dolphin intelligence studies, including an underwater keyboard dolphins could use to select a specific toy or other reward. The stories of dolphin antics during the various experiments were my favorite parts of the book. The author is careful not to ascribe human traits to these animals, but it seems to me they have quite a sense of humor. They're also prone to behaviors strongly resembling empathy and service.
Near the end of the book, Reiss slips out of her role as scientist and into that of activist. She describes the brutal slaughter techniques used on dolphins in Taiji, Japan. These practices were the subject of the 2009 film "The Cove," which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Film. These dolphins are the victims of several methods of slow, painful death, including something resembling a torture rack. The Japanese government has refused to ban these inhumane practices, but Diana Reiss is not giving up.
Reiss writes with a style that is easy for anyone to understand. She maintains scientific integrity while avoiding pretentiousness or oversimplification. The organizational structure of the book seems a little odd at times, but it's not a major drawback. The stories of the antics and exploits of the dolphins Reiss worked with over the years made me laugh out loud, and sometimes laugh and cry at the same time. I would have liked to see even more of these stories, and perhaps a little less of the history of research done on species other than dolphins.
September 26, 2013
Fascinating thoughts on science-activism with some skepticism on the ethics of captivity
The Dolphin in the Mirror is a personal journey in one researcher's lifetime commitment to understand the mind of dolphins. Throughout the book Diana Reiss lovingly describes, with a strong commitment to scientific endeavour, her research in dolphin behaviour. There are several instances that should make all of us look upon these animals with wonder and respect and give in to that gut-feeling that we are not so unique after all.
I felt, however, that the author's support of the captivity industry (aquaria and popular scientific institutions) was a little in contrast with her activism against the Taiji slaughter. I wouldn't go as far as accusing the author of some form of cognitive dissonance but, I've wondered throughout the book how could she believe that the creatures she worked were fundamentally at peace with their own state of being, as captive souls in de-natured settings.
However, an interesting read to add to my virtual bookshelf on cetacean intelligence!
The Dolphin in the Mirror is a personal journey in one researcher's lifetime commitment to understand the mind of dolphins. Throughout the book Diana Reiss lovingly describes, with a strong commitment to scientific endeavour, her research in dolphin behaviour. There are several instances that should make all of us look upon these animals with wonder and respect and give in to that gut-feeling that we are not so unique after all.
I felt, however, that the author's support of the captivity industry (aquaria and popular scientific institutions) was a little in contrast with her activism against the Taiji slaughter. I wouldn't go as far as accusing the author of some form of cognitive dissonance but, I've wondered throughout the book how could she believe that the creatures she worked were fundamentally at peace with their own state of being, as captive souls in de-natured settings.
However, an interesting read to add to my virtual bookshelf on cetacean intelligence!
March 6, 2012
I started reading this book in the gift shop at the National Aquarium in Baltimore (where Reiss works with the dolphins) and was so enthralled that I requested it from the library as soon as I got home.
The book starts out with the story of Reiss and others helping rescue a humpback whale that had swum far too far up San Francisco's river system. It was a compelling story, but there was a characterization of a government employee that was so villainous he all but twirled his mustaches. I'm sure he was unhelpful and difficult, but I find it hard to believe he was as flatly evil as she presents him; he comes off like the bad guy in a Disney movie. This made me cautious about the rest of the book. I had higher hopes for this book than I did for Silent Thunder: In the Presence of Elephants.
However, for the most part those concerns were unfounded. Either that, or they were just completely outshone by the dolphin stories. After the first few chapters, Reiss steps to the background and lets the dolphins themselves shine through. The dolphin stories were dazzling. Reiss tells the story of the steps she took into exploring and quantifying dolphin cognition. Her papers, and the stories that make it into the newspaper, are engaging enough. But what was truly astonishing were the stories that didn't make it into the academic papers because they were anecdotal and singular. Those are very good reasons not to attempt to include them in public papers, but they're breathtaking and well worth reading. This is one of those books where you keep interrupting your friends to read them the amazing paragraph you just read.
The story of the science is almost as fascinating as the story of the dolphins themselves, as Reiss has fought for her studies to be recognized as the solid science they are, and not as wishful thinking. She gives a very clear-eyed look at why this is, and offers some insights into the origin of the problem (a lot of it she attributes to the more enthusiastic excesses of John C. Lilly) and how we must solve it.
I knew Reiss was involved in the National Aquarium and had worked with dolphins at the New York Aquarium. I did not realize she was a driving force between the documentary The Cove. Her efforts to stop the slaughter at Taiji are a heartrending peek into the world of international conservation efforts.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in animal cognition, or anyone who just loves cool animal stories. (And who doesn't?)
The book starts out with the story of Reiss and others helping rescue a humpback whale that had swum far too far up San Francisco's river system. It was a compelling story, but there was a characterization of a government employee that was so villainous he all but twirled his mustaches. I'm sure he was unhelpful and difficult, but I find it hard to believe he was as flatly evil as she presents him; he comes off like the bad guy in a Disney movie. This made me cautious about the rest of the book. I had higher hopes for this book than I did for Silent Thunder: In the Presence of Elephants.
However, for the most part those concerns were unfounded. Either that, or they were just completely outshone by the dolphin stories. After the first few chapters, Reiss steps to the background and lets the dolphins themselves shine through. The dolphin stories were dazzling. Reiss tells the story of the steps she took into exploring and quantifying dolphin cognition. Her papers, and the stories that make it into the newspaper, are engaging enough. But what was truly astonishing were the stories that didn't make it into the academic papers because they were anecdotal and singular. Those are very good reasons not to attempt to include them in public papers, but they're breathtaking and well worth reading. This is one of those books where you keep interrupting your friends to read them the amazing paragraph you just read.
The story of the science is almost as fascinating as the story of the dolphins themselves, as Reiss has fought for her studies to be recognized as the solid science they are, and not as wishful thinking. She gives a very clear-eyed look at why this is, and offers some insights into the origin of the problem (a lot of it she attributes to the more enthusiastic excesses of John C. Lilly) and how we must solve it.
I knew Reiss was involved in the National Aquarium and had worked with dolphins at the New York Aquarium. I did not realize she was a driving force between the documentary The Cove. Her efforts to stop the slaughter at Taiji are a heartrending peek into the world of international conservation efforts.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in animal cognition, or anyone who just loves cool animal stories. (And who doesn't?)
March 14, 2015
I was a little nervous that this would turn out to be touchy-feely rather than a look at the minds of dolphins but it turned out ok. The goal of the book is to introduce readers to the complexities of these intelligent creatures, and it does that fairly well. In that respect this book is fairly focused on Dr. Reiss' research. It does not really go much into behavior, neuroscience biology etc., instead sticking to language and theory of mind. She does a good job of that and while I'd love to know more about the other aspects of dolphins, this was a nice introduction and review of what Reiss and other researchers have found out about their minds (note - not their brains).
In the end, the book turns strongly to advocacy for dolphin conservation and consideration. It's no real surprise as she is open enough with her feelings from the get go to clue anyone in. This section could put off some readers even if they agree with the message - evangelism is often just plain tiresome - but the story she tells is actually interesting and informative.
The book is occasionally an annoying read as Reiss' voice is a bit to self aware, with constant qualifications of what she can say as a scientist, what she feels on a personal level and often distracting descriptions of actions (such as describing how at one point she was so happy she pumped her fist in the air - which she then admits is a young person's action) or even quotes from old conversations. While the occasional foray into such details can help elevate a story by letting the reader enter into the thoughts and experiences of the writer in a comfortably intimate way, in this book, they tended to pull me out of the flow rather than pull me deeper in.
Reiss has dedicated her life to understanding dolphins and her love for them shines through. While the writing can be annoying, this is a good book for anyone interested in dolphins, intelligence and the self-awareness of other species.
In the end, the book turns strongly to advocacy for dolphin conservation and consideration. It's no real surprise as she is open enough with her feelings from the get go to clue anyone in. This section could put off some readers even if they agree with the message - evangelism is often just plain tiresome - but the story she tells is actually interesting and informative.
The book is occasionally an annoying read as Reiss' voice is a bit to self aware, with constant qualifications of what she can say as a scientist, what she feels on a personal level and often distracting descriptions of actions (such as describing how at one point she was so happy she pumped her fist in the air - which she then admits is a young person's action) or even quotes from old conversations. While the occasional foray into such details can help elevate a story by letting the reader enter into the thoughts and experiences of the writer in a comfortably intimate way, in this book, they tended to pull me out of the flow rather than pull me deeper in.
Reiss has dedicated her life to understanding dolphins and her love for them shines through. While the writing can be annoying, this is a good book for anyone interested in dolphins, intelligence and the self-awareness of other species.
August 17, 2011
This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
As a biologist, I had a great interest in reading The Dolphin in the Mirror. Diana Reiss describes how she was able to separate her scientific research from her personal interests throughout her time as a marine mammal researcher. Since journal articles only show one side of the story, this book is a great vehicle for her to discuss her personal ideas and feelings about her time with these animals. The book is well written and an easy read. Readers may feel that her attachment to the animals may be a little much, but I enjoyed it. I'll be recommending this book to my students interested in marine biology.
As a biologist, I had a great interest in reading The Dolphin in the Mirror. Diana Reiss describes how she was able to separate her scientific research from her personal interests throughout her time as a marine mammal researcher. Since journal articles only show one side of the story, this book is a great vehicle for her to discuss her personal ideas and feelings about her time with these animals. The book is well written and an easy read. Readers may feel that her attachment to the animals may be a little much, but I enjoyed it. I'll be recommending this book to my students interested in marine biology.
July 29, 2019
If you have a passion for animals, then this book won't disappoint. In a nutshell, this book is the author's Ph.D. thesis written in a more interesting way coupled with interesting anecdotes. The author obviously establishes the visceral connection she feels for the dolphins, you can't help but feel the same connection as she narrates the story but the scrupulous scientist in her always has an extra swab of evidence up her sleeve to support her claims.
March 22, 2024
A fascinating review of dolphin anatomy, physiology, and cognition. Dr Reiss is an expert in her field and has conducted many groundbreaking experiments that are described within. This book is an excellent primer for general audiences looking to learn more about these amazing creatures.
May 18, 2011
This book spans not just Reiss’ 25+ years of research with her dolphins, but also talks about origin myths, ancient history, and their relationship with the evolution of dolphins throughout the years. I will admit that this book started a bit slow with all of the myths and personal experiences thrown in, but once she got to her work with the dolphins in question, I was riveted by her reporting and interaction with her mentor creatures and the results/findings stemming thereof.
Slow start aside, this book is pivotal in terms of learning not only about dolphins and their evolution, but our own. This cannot be stated enough. Just because this book is non-fiction shouldn’t put that off. The way Reiss writes makes even the most stern scientific fact inviting in a near-fictional way, and makes her adventures with her dolphins a surreal, almost magical life experience. It didn’t read like non-fiction at all.
What makes this even easier for even the most ignorant reader to understand is her multiple footnotes that made things even clearer if she felt that her language/jargon would cause even the slightest bit of doubt. While I know enough to understand basic biology-related papers, it really helped when she put in these footnotes. Not many scientists presenting their research in a book to the public that’s not in their field do this, and this impressed me all the more. I applaud her for making her work accessible to people of all walks of life.
Even if you’re into whale hunting and are against films like “the Cove”, this really needs reading (all the more). Dolphins, according to Reiss’ research, have not only a sense of individual self, but also have a sense of who isn’t a dolphin when interacting with others. I’m definitely not one of those militant PETA-types when it comes to animal rights, but I also know when an animal can feel and think on a level that might remotely be human. I urge everyone to give this book a try and be surprised by some of the most beautiful (and endangered) creatures on earth. It’ll make you wonder who’s the superior species once you’re done. One of the best of 2011 in the non-fiction catagory, for sure.
(crossposted to shelfari, librarything, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
Slow start aside, this book is pivotal in terms of learning not only about dolphins and their evolution, but our own. This cannot be stated enough. Just because this book is non-fiction shouldn’t put that off. The way Reiss writes makes even the most stern scientific fact inviting in a near-fictional way, and makes her adventures with her dolphins a surreal, almost magical life experience. It didn’t read like non-fiction at all.
What makes this even easier for even the most ignorant reader to understand is her multiple footnotes that made things even clearer if she felt that her language/jargon would cause even the slightest bit of doubt. While I know enough to understand basic biology-related papers, it really helped when she put in these footnotes. Not many scientists presenting their research in a book to the public that’s not in their field do this, and this impressed me all the more. I applaud her for making her work accessible to people of all walks of life.
Even if you’re into whale hunting and are against films like “the Cove”, this really needs reading (all the more). Dolphins, according to Reiss’ research, have not only a sense of individual self, but also have a sense of who isn’t a dolphin when interacting with others. I’m definitely not one of those militant PETA-types when it comes to animal rights, but I also know when an animal can feel and think on a level that might remotely be human. I urge everyone to give this book a try and be surprised by some of the most beautiful (and endangered) creatures on earth. It’ll make you wonder who’s the superior species once you’re done. One of the best of 2011 in the non-fiction catagory, for sure.
(crossposted to shelfari, librarything, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
April 27, 2018
For more reviews, or to see my favourite quotes from this book, check out my blog at http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow
This book was fascinating. In this day and age I don't know how anyone can deny that dolphins are intelligent, but it was really interesting to read the steps taken to prove it. The mirror test was especially interesting, as well as the dolphin mimicry, deception and time-out. Diana Reiss tells it so that you really feel as if you get to know the dolphin.
This was a very helpful book for me because my next novel is about dolphins and it really helped me to understand more about these creatures. I liked that the author listed the websites where you could watch clips of some of the experiments yourself. It was a little slow in places and had expected a little bit more about 'Saving Dolphin Lives', as it says on the cover, but the authors views on the Taiji slaughter and dolphins in captivity at the end were very interesting and thoroughly thought-out. And that last sentence... Wow, it was just so powerful. This book gave me a lot to think about and I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone with even the most fleeting interest in these amazing creatures.
This book was fascinating. In this day and age I don't know how anyone can deny that dolphins are intelligent, but it was really interesting to read the steps taken to prove it. The mirror test was especially interesting, as well as the dolphin mimicry, deception and time-out. Diana Reiss tells it so that you really feel as if you get to know the dolphin.
This was a very helpful book for me because my next novel is about dolphins and it really helped me to understand more about these creatures. I liked that the author listed the websites where you could watch clips of some of the experiments yourself. It was a little slow in places and had expected a little bit more about 'Saving Dolphin Lives', as it says on the cover, but the authors views on the Taiji slaughter and dolphins in captivity at the end were very interesting and thoroughly thought-out. And that last sentence... Wow, it was just so powerful. This book gave me a lot to think about and I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone with even the most fleeting interest in these amazing creatures.
September 13, 2013
This book is great with all the information it gives on just how smart these animals are. I loved all the personal stories and had a few laughs. The only thing I would disagree with the author is the view on aquariums today. The author is against animal abuse and the slaughter going on in Taiji, Japan, but leans in favor of aquariums. I am against all aquariums and do not believe neither dolphins nor whales should be performing in a small concrete pool for dead fish. Other than that...very insightful.
December 8, 2011
I enjoyed this book because of my background with dolphins. It brought back a lot of memories for me. I did get tired of reading how we "diverged from dolphins 90 million years ago". She said that undemonstrable theory no less than 5 times! Where she stuck to the facts, it was a terrific book.
May 4, 2019
Excellent book! I sometimes worry when I start books on this subject - some seem to get pretty "out there". This one, however, did a wonderful job of laying out the scientific evidence of dolphin cognition alongside personal anecdotes, striking the balance perfectly.
November 10, 2011
Informative, engaging, and often inspiring.
October 9, 2012
Learned a lot about dolphins that I didn't know! Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
September 29, 2016
Great book about the dolphins mind. With some repetitions by the writer but with a very good point of view.
May 1, 2024
This was another book that deserved 2.5 stars instead of 3, but I was generous and rounded up. And to the credit of the author, the biggest part of the book does cover dolphin intelligence. Also, to the credit of the author again, the subtitle does include saving dolphin lives. And the end of the book does focus more on this saving dolphin lives. It really highlights one particular instance and does a good job of covering that instance. Because that was not my desire in reading the book, though, it was less than fulfilling.
The book begins with a compelling rescue tail. This was an enticing way to peak the reader's interest. The book then covers a brief history of mankind's interest in dolphin intelligence. Again, this is a good start to the book. Next, Diana does cover her early career. This is also good to see how her personal life fits into the story. Next, Diana does cover behavior of the dolphins that seems to indicate original intelligence. They are not responding or just reacting to cues. The dolphins seem to have "a mind of their own." One part of the book that was very compelling was her effort to prove that dolphins possessed its intelligence. How can we verify intelligence with a species for which we have no understanding of their language? It was very detailed and specific to see how Diana Reiss was able to demonstrate this conclusively. Furthermore, Diana does indicate instances where dolphins again demonstrate intelligence to earn further treats or behave to get what they want--demonstrating a higher level of intelligence. When relating her efforts to get her paper published, it was disheartening to see the difficulty she encountered. Since I know nothing of the publishing world, perhaps I should have known this already? Regardless, it was a good and cursory overview of the process. Next, Diana explores and compares the world of chimpanzee and primate intelligence to how we can demonstrate similar levels of thought to dolphins.
Next, Diana explorers dolphins helping other dolphins. This was interesting and compelling because it effectively showed dolphins have empathy. Not only do dolphins have empathy with other dolphins, but we see how dolphins can have empathy with people. Remarkable to see another entity demonstrating this sense of self and care for another animal outside of the family.
The book wraps up with Diana's efforts to end a dolphin killing event regularly held in Japan. I recognize her passion and need to do this in her book, but that was not my purpose for reading. Yes, it was good and not cumbersome to have to read, but it was not my intent or purpose for reading the book so it was a little extraneous for me. Finally, at only 260 pages, the book is relatively short. Also, her writing style is good. It is not too scientific or cumbersome or technical. But it is also not very exciting or compelling that keeps me turning page after page after page.
The book begins with a compelling rescue tail. This was an enticing way to peak the reader's interest. The book then covers a brief history of mankind's interest in dolphin intelligence. Again, this is a good start to the book. Next, Diana does cover her early career. This is also good to see how her personal life fits into the story. Next, Diana does cover behavior of the dolphins that seems to indicate original intelligence. They are not responding or just reacting to cues. The dolphins seem to have "a mind of their own." One part of the book that was very compelling was her effort to prove that dolphins possessed its intelligence. How can we verify intelligence with a species for which we have no understanding of their language? It was very detailed and specific to see how Diana Reiss was able to demonstrate this conclusively. Furthermore, Diana does indicate instances where dolphins again demonstrate intelligence to earn further treats or behave to get what they want--demonstrating a higher level of intelligence. When relating her efforts to get her paper published, it was disheartening to see the difficulty she encountered. Since I know nothing of the publishing world, perhaps I should have known this already? Regardless, it was a good and cursory overview of the process. Next, Diana explores and compares the world of chimpanzee and primate intelligence to how we can demonstrate similar levels of thought to dolphins.
Next, Diana explorers dolphins helping other dolphins. This was interesting and compelling because it effectively showed dolphins have empathy. Not only do dolphins have empathy with other dolphins, but we see how dolphins can have empathy with people. Remarkable to see another entity demonstrating this sense of self and care for another animal outside of the family.
The book wraps up with Diana's efforts to end a dolphin killing event regularly held in Japan. I recognize her passion and need to do this in her book, but that was not my purpose for reading. Yes, it was good and not cumbersome to have to read, but it was not my intent or purpose for reading the book so it was a little extraneous for me. Finally, at only 260 pages, the book is relatively short. Also, her writing style is good. It is not too scientific or cumbersome or technical. But it is also not very exciting or compelling that keeps me turning page after page after page.
April 17, 2025
Definitely a lot of interesting facts and observations about dolphins done by Diana Reiss, a marine mammal scientist who focuses on dolphins and whales. With that said, however, the author's tone bothered me at times. More than once she lamented about dolphins in aquariums, etc., yet immediately went on trying to justify why it was acceptable when she did it. I felt at times her tone was condescending, especially concerning two of her two pet peeves, the television show "Flipper" and dolphin shows at aquariums. While I agree the shows are better if used as a learning experience and not as a show of "athletic feats", she is wrong to assume people would then think dolphins are not intelligent. These were two things I loved as a kid and in no way did they make me think dolphins were not intelligent. Quite the opposite. I really don't understand her disdain for "Flipper". I definitely got the feeling from watching the show as a kid that dolphins were intelligent and empathetic. Exactly what she wants people to realize.
I also felt Reiss spent a lot of time covering apes, chimpanzees and evolutionary science when what I really wanted was a chance to immerse myself in dolphins. Too many long, boring passages. I get how she was trying to connect things to dolphins, but I think she went overboard at times.
My favorite parts of the book were when she focused on her experiments with the dolphins. I especially liked the part where the one dolphin scolded Reiss for feeding her wrong part of the fish. So clever!
Overall, an informative look at dolphins though I, personally, wasn't overly enamored with the author's writing style. I do agree with Reiss, however, when she says you can't release dolphins who have never lived in the wild into the wild. That's just crazy talk.
I also felt Reiss spent a lot of time covering apes, chimpanzees and evolutionary science when what I really wanted was a chance to immerse myself in dolphins. Too many long, boring passages. I get how she was trying to connect things to dolphins, but I think she went overboard at times.
My favorite parts of the book were when she focused on her experiments with the dolphins. I especially liked the part where the one dolphin scolded Reiss for feeding her wrong part of the fish. So clever!
Overall, an informative look at dolphins though I, personally, wasn't overly enamored with the author's writing style. I do agree with Reiss, however, when she says you can't release dolphins who have never lived in the wild into the wild. That's just crazy talk.
September 17, 2023
Diana Reiss’ popularized scientific text, The Dolphin in the Mirror: Exploring Dolphin Minds and Saving Dolphin Lives, does just what the title explains. This and previous works by Reiss aim to promote the ethical treatment and acceptance of oceanic mammalian species. To avoid the drudgery of dense scientific literature, Diana Reiss employs a narrative method throughout the text, creating scenes and memories within each of her ten chapters. From the story of her own dolphin research, society’s historical and global fascination, to biographical recollections, Reiss weaves together the various, connected dimensions of dolphin intelligence and protection.
By noting the dolphin’s very human-like intelligence and social behavior, Reiss effectively humanizes the porpoise species, urging the people of the globe to end the killings and massacres of these impressive animals. The intricacies involved in testing dolphin self-recognition, or theory of mind, should also bolster the scientific community’s acceptance of highly intelligent, empathetic aquatic mammals.From a reader's perspective, Diana Reiss' The Dolphin in the Mirror: Exploring Dolphin Minds and Saving Dolphin Lives is a riveting text that offers scientific knowledge of a wonderful subject matter in a narrative fashion. With ease and clarity, Reiss' passion for other species is felt as a call for increased conservation of these highly intelligent mammalian species. Her adherence to historically tested materials and practiced experimentation allows for a more scientific reader to enjoy the text as well.
All in all, The Dolphin in the Mirror is a wonderful example of a popularized scientific conversation aiming to further marine conservation worldwide.
By noting the dolphin’s very human-like intelligence and social behavior, Reiss effectively humanizes the porpoise species, urging the people of the globe to end the killings and massacres of these impressive animals. The intricacies involved in testing dolphin self-recognition, or theory of mind, should also bolster the scientific community’s acceptance of highly intelligent, empathetic aquatic mammals.From a reader's perspective, Diana Reiss' The Dolphin in the Mirror: Exploring Dolphin Minds and Saving Dolphin Lives is a riveting text that offers scientific knowledge of a wonderful subject matter in a narrative fashion. With ease and clarity, Reiss' passion for other species is felt as a call for increased conservation of these highly intelligent mammalian species. Her adherence to historically tested materials and practiced experimentation allows for a more scientific reader to enjoy the text as well.
All in all, The Dolphin in the Mirror is a wonderful example of a popularized scientific conversation aiming to further marine conservation worldwide.
June 2, 2018
For the right audience, this book would be great. For the general reading public, it’s not exactly a “page turner” like some other books I’ve read about dolphins. I felt like this book was more for an academic setting, and if I had been assigned this book for a college class, I would have had no problem getting through it and would have enjoyed doing so. As a lay person reading this for enjoyment purposes, to further my quest for general knowledge about dolphins, it was a little slow going. Some parts I read avidly, some parts I slogged through. It took me several months to finish this but I’m glad I did. It was educational and informative, but wasn’t told in the most “readable” way. “Voices in the Ocean” by Susan Casey was a much more approachable book and a much quicker read. I had been hoping for something more along those lines when I picked up this book. If you’re studying animal behavior or marine biology or something similar, or are just looking for a book about dolphins with a more scientific approach, this is likely a good book for you.
September 16, 2019
This book reminded me how beautiful, sensitive and compassionate animals can be, and how brutal, barbaric and cruel humans can be.
Reading how intelligent dolphins are makes it all the more heartbreaking to know that they're still routinely slaughtered by some nations who blame them for "taking too many fish"!!!!!!!!! What in the actual f**k?!!!
Because of our egocentric nature as humans, we have always assumed that only we as a species are sentient beings with a conscience. This research shows something much more different; a species with the ability to empathise, to deceive (in order to get treats!), to problem solve, to develop language syntax, to teach each other parenting skills, to recognise themselves as an individual.
We're certainly not as amazing as we think we are, and animals are far more amazing than we ever give them credit for.
A fantastic book.
Reading how intelligent dolphins are makes it all the more heartbreaking to know that they're still routinely slaughtered by some nations who blame them for "taking too many fish"!!!!!!!!! What in the actual f**k?!!!
Because of our egocentric nature as humans, we have always assumed that only we as a species are sentient beings with a conscience. This research shows something much more different; a species with the ability to empathise, to deceive (in order to get treats!), to problem solve, to develop language syntax, to teach each other parenting skills, to recognise themselves as an individual.
We're certainly not as amazing as we think we are, and animals are far more amazing than we ever give them credit for.
A fantastic book.
May 16, 2022
A very readable book that's a little bit of a memoir of an expert on dolphin intelligence and being a member of the science community. Somehow she makes the submitting of academic papers and the presenting of posters at conferences into something interesting, as she fills her activities with humor and self-deprecation.
But the book is mostly about the dolphins themselves: stories of the various dolphins Reiss has encountered over the years and the signs of their creativity and intelligence. The vast majority of the book is fun and delightful, and Reiss has lived quite a life. I would have read another 100 pages of this.
Note: If you are sensitive to animal cruelty, be aware that the second to the last chapter deals with the hunting of dolphins in Japan. It does get into a few gruesome facts, but obviously it's an important topic to discuss, as the practice continues today.
But the book is mostly about the dolphins themselves: stories of the various dolphins Reiss has encountered over the years and the signs of their creativity and intelligence. The vast majority of the book is fun and delightful, and Reiss has lived quite a life. I would have read another 100 pages of this.
Note: If you are sensitive to animal cruelty, be aware that the second to the last chapter deals with the hunting of dolphins in Japan. It does get into a few gruesome facts, but obviously it's an important topic to discuss, as the practice continues today.
June 10, 2017
I'm torn in reviewing this book.
On one hand, it was rife with stories, experiences, personal observations. And to
me it is no question that Reiss is a dolphin expert. But I felt the book itself was redundant, a bit lofty at times, and following no particular order. Sometimes it felt never ending, but some stories were so stellar and captivating (my favorite being the dolphin moving rocks by sucking them to
her blow hole!)
One last note I wanted to point out was that Reiss was at times critical and condescending of marine facilities... and yet none of the work or experiences in this book would have been possible without them.
All in all, this was a neat read for someone interested in the study of
dolphins.
On one hand, it was rife with stories, experiences, personal observations. And to
me it is no question that Reiss is a dolphin expert. But I felt the book itself was redundant, a bit lofty at times, and following no particular order. Sometimes it felt never ending, but some stories were so stellar and captivating (my favorite being the dolphin moving rocks by sucking them to
her blow hole!)
One last note I wanted to point out was that Reiss was at times critical and condescending of marine facilities... and yet none of the work or experiences in this book would have been possible without them.
All in all, this was a neat read for someone interested in the study of
dolphins.
October 31, 2024
This book was multiple years on my tbr list and finally this autumn I took the time to read it. Having started my graduate school journey it's interesting to learn about others journey. Especially in a completely different area of science. Towards the end of the book dr. Reiss tells about her views about dolphins in captivity, this and the chapters on Taiji situation were the most interesting for me. Sadly, I learned that the situation in Taiji has not changed since the writing of this book.
It is a good book, but not that good that I would recommend it to my friends unless they have interest in dolphins and how to study them.
It is a good book, but not that good that I would recommend it to my friends unless they have interest in dolphins and how to study them.
December 4, 2017
Very fascinating read on exploring the consciousness of dolphins. It was nice to get to know the personal stories and experiences of dolphins Diana Reiss has had as a researcher beyond reading dry, impersonal scientific studies. I am even more fascinated and enchanted by these creatures than I've ever been and our relationships as various species sharing the world. Worth the read! Animal behaviors, communication, human/dolphin relationships, stewardship to the natural world as humans...
December 9, 2018
This is an outstanding book on the intelligence and behaviour of dolphins. I absolutely loved the descriptions of research and the anecdotes— dolphins have done unbelievable things! The author is a great writer. You will emerge from this book fully convinced that dolphins are intelligent, have emotions, and are worthy of protection and respect. The slaughter in Japan (depicted in the famous movie, the Cove) has to end. Among the many books I’ve read on animal cognition, this stands out as one of the very best!
December 17, 2025
This is an exceptional book on a lifetime of groundbreaking research and breakthroughs by Diana Reiss on dolphin intelligence and social life. Reiss's work parallels the crucial similar findings of other researchers the consciousness of intelligent species from apes to octopuses, while I know myself from writing a book about orangutans (The Intimate Ape). But there is a freshness and accessibility of her writing style that draws you into her interactions with dolphins and personal experiences with them.
September 11, 2022
Interesting
While this book was more scientific writing than I would like, I did find it interesting and informative. Dolphins are fascinating creatures for sure. I had no problem idea that hundreds of dolphins are rounded up and killed in a horrendous way once a year in Japan. I hope the Japanese government puts a stop to this practice.
While this book was more scientific writing than I would like, I did find it interesting and informative. Dolphins are fascinating creatures for sure. I had no problem idea that hundreds of dolphins are rounded up and killed in a horrendous way once a year in Japan. I hope the Japanese government puts a stop to this practice.
July 10, 2020
I really believe everyone should read this book. Its not often a great, dedicated scientist is such a great writer- this book is a page turner and I found myself sharing parts of every chapter. Ridiculously fascinating, so, so well done and one of my all time favorite books.
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