A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist’s Unconventional Life Among the Baboons by Robert M. Sapolsky
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Summary
"I had never planned to become a savanna baboon when I grew up; instead, I had always assumed I would become a mountain gorilla," writes Robert Sapolsky in this witty and riveting chronicle of a scientist's coming-of-age in remote Africa.
Sapolsky is an awesome storyteller. The book takes you on a journey, zigzagging between insights about baboons and the adventures of living in different African countries. It definitely surpassed what I expected, and I highly recommend it. Even though some reviewers had their critiques, personally, I thought the narration was pretty solid.
What was the aspect of A Primate's Memoir that you found most enjoyable? And on the flip side, what was the part that didn't quite hit the mark for you?
I'm puzzled as to why a book that's received such high praise and positive feedback left me feeling underwhelmed. I made a genuine effort on multiple occasions to engage with the material, but unfortunately, it failed to capture my interest. Personally, I found it incredibly dull, making it difficult for me to stay focused on the content being conveyed. Consequently, I found myself constantly rewinding and after a certain point, I simply surrendered and abandoned the book. This experience left me feeling quite let down.
I really wish I could hand out copies of this book to every single person on the planet. It's something that I believe everyone should read, alongside "The Railway Man" by Eric Lomax.
I accidentally came across this audiobook and thought, hey, it sounds intriguing, has positive reviews, and will be a refreshing change. Well, here's another review filled with enthusiasm. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's candor, how he conveyed his experiences and thrilling escapades (and boy, were they thrilling!!), and his depiction of the conflict between his emotional responses and scientific side. It's a fantastic listen that keeps you on your toes and engrossed from start to finish.
I couldn't stick around to see if it improved. The narrator's voice was grating, to say the least, and I was willing to tolerate it if the writing was captivating. Unfortunately, the book meanders from one idea to another without any notable philosophical insights or intriguing metaphors. This could have been acceptable if the story itself was gripping or compelling, but it simply fell short. It felt more like a baboon version of a drama-filled TV show rather than an engaging memoir.
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