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Deep Thinkers: Inside the Minds of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises Kindle Edition

by Janet Mann (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
See all formats and editions
A remarkable look at dolphin and whale intelligence, communication, and culture, with stunning photographs: “A wonderful read.” —Biologist

Dolphins, whales, and porpoises are often considered to be the smartest nonhuman creatures on Earth. Science and nature buffs are drawn to stories of their use of tools, their self-recognition, their beautiful and complex songs, and their intricate societies. But how do we know what we know, and what does it mean? In Deep Thinkers, renowned cetacean biologist Janet Mann gathers a gam of the world’s leading whale and dolphin researchers—including Luke Rendell, Hal Whitehead, and many more—to illuminate these vital questions, exploring the astounding capacities of cetacean brains.

Diving into our current understanding of and dynamic research on dolphin and whale cognition, communication, and culture, Deep Thinkers reveals how incredibly sophisticated these mammals are—and how much we can learn about other animal minds by studying cetacean behavior. Through a combination of fascinating text and more than 150 beautiful and informative illustrations, chapters compare the intelligence markers of cetaceans with those of birds, bats, and primates, asking how we might properly define intelligence in nonhumans. As all-encompassing and profound as the seas in which these deep cetacean cultures have evolved, Deep Thinkers is an awesome and inspiring journey into the fathoms—a reminder of what we gain through their close study, and of what we lose when the great minds of the sea disappear.

“Everything you always wanted to know about cetaceans and their intelligence captured here in a single beautiful volume by some of the world’s greatest experts.” —Frans de Waal, New York Times–bestselling author of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?

“Teeming with cool stuff.” —NPR’s 13.7: Cosmos & Culture
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  1. Print length
    191 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    The University of Chicago Press
  5. Publication date
    February 14, 2018
  6. File size
    40964 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The experts in this volume explore the whys and wherefores of cetacean thinking. There are chapters on cognition, tool use and communication, analyses of cetacean social lives, and anatomical studies. In keeping technical language to a minimum and matching the clearly written text to beautiful illustrations and clear and concise diagrams, Mann and her collaborators have produced an evocative summary of what it is to be whale.” ― New Scientist

“A winner. A cross between a cetacean encyclopedia and a coffee-table book, Deep Thinkers breaks new ground: ‘Until now no book has covered the state-of-the-art scientific discoveries across cetacean species,’ Mann notes. Mann invited cetacean scientists to contribute to the volume and, as a result, it's teeming with cool stuff. To focus on its stunning photographs for a moment, Heidi Harley's informative chapter ‘Cognition’ includes a wild bottlenose dolphin during apparent play as she balances a yellow clam shell on her rostrum; a group of wild common dolphins collaboratively herding sardines into a ball for easier predation; and an Atlantic spotted dolphin ‘carrying seaweed, possibly to impress females.’ Wow! . . . Gorgeous.” -- Barbara J. King ― NPR's 13.7: Cosmos & Culture

“Everything you always wanted to know about cetaceans and their intelligence captured here in a single beautiful volume by some of the world’s greatest experts. The natural behavior of these animals is extremely hard to study. What we have learned is not only astonishing but also humbling.” -- Frans de Waal, author of "Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?"

“If, like me, you are an avid watcher of TV programmes about whales, dolphins and porpoises, and wonder what is going on in the heads of these fellow mammals during their complex behaviour, Deep Thinkers has to be on your reading list. With excellent illustrations and chapters by acknowledged experts, this book gives an overview of the history and current state of research on the minds of cetaceans.... Buy the book–it is a wonderful read.” ― Biologist

“This is a pleasant, nonscientific book written by excellent marine mammal, psychology, and brain scientists. It is beautifully illustrated, with educational color drawings and some of the finest color composites of whales (by Bryan Austin) ever presented, for a total of 150 color plates. ... a lovely work—with fine science interpreted in fine manner, and with some of the most beautiful illustrations and, especially, photographs of cetaceans.” ― Marine Mammal Science

"Deep Thinkers: Inside the Minds of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises, edited by Mann, is a gorgeous picture book at the very highest level, in which leading research scientists tell us about the current state of knowledge in their subfields." ― New York Review of Books

About the Author

Janet Mann is professor of biology and psychology at Georgetown University. She is coeditor of Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales, also published by the University of Chicago Press.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079TP1C6Z
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The University of Chicago Press; Illustrated edition (February 14, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 14, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 40964 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 191 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 60 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
60 global ratings
Most readable and complete work I've read on the subject
5 Stars
Most readable and complete work I've read on the subject
The author does a great job of laying out all the known research, past and ongoing, in a way the non-biologist can understand. This single book has easily doubled my understanding of these fascinating creatures. We humans have come so far intellectually, but yet still can not translate the dolphins language. This fact has been on my mind for several years. This book has helped me better understand why. The difference is in the evolution of our brains. When we are finally able to talk to these creatures, only then will we be truly enlightened. Thanks so much Janet and your colleagues!
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Top reviews from the United States

Tim Schmitz
5.0 out of 5 stars Most readable and complete work I've read on the subject
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
Verified Purchase
The author does a great job of laying out all the known research, past and ongoing, in a way the non-biologist can understand. This single book has easily doubled my understanding of these fascinating creatures. We humans have come so far intellectually, but yet still can not translate the dolphins language. This fact has been on my mind for several years. This book has helped me better understand why. The difference is in the evolution of our brains. When we are finally able to talk to these creatures, only then will we be truly enlightened. Thanks so much Janet and your colleagues!
Customer image
Tim Schmitz
5.0 out of 5 stars Most readable and complete work I've read on the subject
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
The author does a great job of laying out all the known research, past and ongoing, in a way the non-biologist can understand. This single book has easily doubled my understanding of these fascinating creatures. We humans have come so far intellectually, but yet still can not translate the dolphins language. This fact has been on my mind for several years. This book has helped me better understand why. The difference is in the evolution of our brains. When we are finally able to talk to these creatures, only then will we be truly enlightened. Thanks so much Janet and your colleagues!
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11 people found this helpful
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doglover2009
5.0 out of 5 stars The current state of science about cetaceans all in one book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is not just a coffee table picture book, but a real survey of the current state of scientific knowledge about whales, dolphins and porpoises: All about cetacean brains, cognition, communication, culture, and behavior, how scientists study them, and the threats they have faced from humans past and present. My only gripe: it appears the designer/typographer apparently thought it was just another coffee table item so one has to suffer eye-strain because of very thin, light grey letters. But there are many beautiful photos as well as scientific maps, charts, and drawings.
11 people found this helpful
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Grace Fortiter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great title for a beautiful, well-written book on the great mammals of the oceans
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017
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A thoughtful, beautifully illustrated and designed book by the leading field biologists & students of the great mammals of the sea: whales, dolphins, porpoises. . . Edited by one of them who got the others to contribute. Janet Mann writes clearly, as do her colleagues, so this is a book laymen can also learn from. Bravo!
11 people found this helpful
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Melissa
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of cetaceans!
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2019
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Explores the biology, history and future threats to our cetaceans. Great read for the marine biologist or non scientist. Highly recommend to anyone looking to learn more about cetaceans.
3 people found this helpful
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Joseph Preston Baratta
4.0 out of 5 stars A fine book. It is limited to what can be ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2018
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A fine book. It is limited to what can be scientifically known about animals that live far out to sea. Not too much on sperm whales, a little more on humpbacks and orcas. Most of the hard data is on dolphins. Their "minds" are suggestive, for the authors are careful not to project ours on them. If we encounter other intelligent life in the universe, the methods in this book will be our guides. We are not alone.
9 people found this helpful
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Rachel S
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book..
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020
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Great book, very informative and wonderfully illustrated..
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2019
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Great product!
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P.S. Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible and fascinating book about cetacean intelligence
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2018
There's no other book out there like this one--a very well-written, wide-ranging, and accessible book about cetacean intelligence. The authors are all experts in the field that make the science easy to understand without undercutting the complexity of the subject. The photos--especially the spreads opening each chapter--are stunning. I particularly appreciated the lucid description of particular experiments. All-around excellent and a must-have for anyone interested in whales and dolphins.
11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Stephen B.
5.0 out of 5 stars A gentile introduction to Ceataceans
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2019
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An excellent book, useful to both students and professionals, works on more than one level.
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Grymmsy
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2019
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Incredibly photographs and plenty scientific phrases to learn. Very good read.
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