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Gibbons: The Invisible Apes
Meet the "invisible apes" ...
The first thing you should know about gibbons is that they are not monkeys! They are apes, just like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, and like these larger--and much better known--"great apes," gibbons are counted among humanity's closest living relatives on the evolutionary tree. In fact, the genetic codes of human beings and gibbons are 95 percent alike.
But gibbons have long been invisible in the West. In this first-of-its-kind book, noted author John Steckley sets out to remedy that situation. As you'll discover, gibbons are extraordinary brachiators--their ability to swing rapidly through the forest from tree to tree would put even Spider-Man to shame--as well as beautiful singers and doting parents.
Steckley introduces us to the diverse and enchanting group of gibbons he himself has met personally, including the fun-loving and impish Penelope, as well as gibbons elsewhere who have played prominent roles in gibbon (and human) affairs. By the time you've finished "Gibbons: The Invisible Apes," the "small apes" (as Steckley calls them) will never be invisible to you again.
The first thing you should know about gibbons is that they are not monkeys! They are apes, just like chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, and like these larger--and much better known--"great apes," gibbons are counted among humanity's closest living relatives on the evolutionary tree. In fact, the genetic codes of human beings and gibbons are 95 percent alike.
But gibbons have long been invisible in the West. In this first-of-its-kind book, noted author John Steckley sets out to remedy that situation. As you'll discover, gibbons are extraordinary brachiators--their ability to swing rapidly through the forest from tree to tree would put even Spider-Man to shame--as well as beautiful singers and doting parents.
Steckley introduces us to the diverse and enchanting group of gibbons he himself has met personally, including the fun-loving and impish Penelope, as well as gibbons elsewhere who have played prominent roles in gibbon (and human) affairs. By the time you've finished "Gibbons: The Invisible Apes," the "small apes" (as Steckley calls them) will never be invisible to you again.
178 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2015
5 people want to read
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November 23, 2016
I was sent this endearing book in return for an honest review. I do not claim to be an expert in gibbons at all, but I am certainly an admirer of them. I have found them to be engaging and extraordinary animals, an opinion which is certainly well expressed in this book.
The author conveys his love and admiration of gibbons eloquently, with many interesting examples of their behaviour and interaction with humans. His aim is to encourage greater understanding of these 'lesser apes', which have not benefitted from the study and protection afforded to the great apes.
My reservations about the book are minor. It is a book designed to be read by both children and adults, and so there are some areas where the tone is a bit cloying and the information repetitive. The author and his wife are very evidently utterly charmed by the gibbons they have come to know, and they share many of the details of these relationships. I think the book may have benefitted from some more editing and reorganising, to avoid the repetitive nature of some of the chapters.
Overall I believe the book achieves its aim, to make gibbons better known and to celebrate them and their disappearing native habitat. And what an important and admirable aim it is.
The author conveys his love and admiration of gibbons eloquently, with many interesting examples of their behaviour and interaction with humans. His aim is to encourage greater understanding of these 'lesser apes', which have not benefitted from the study and protection afforded to the great apes.
My reservations about the book are minor. It is a book designed to be read by both children and adults, and so there are some areas where the tone is a bit cloying and the information repetitive. The author and his wife are very evidently utterly charmed by the gibbons they have come to know, and they share many of the details of these relationships. I think the book may have benefitted from some more editing and reorganising, to avoid the repetitive nature of some of the chapters.
Overall I believe the book achieves its aim, to make gibbons better known and to celebrate them and their disappearing native habitat. And what an important and admirable aim it is.
Displaying 1 of 1 review