How To Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

Sharing the premise that animals can and do teach humans the good creature behaviors of living life with grace, humor, love, empathy, forgiveness and compassion, naturalist and science writer Montgomery (The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness) combines animal science with her belief that humans can and do learn from animals. Sharing memories of 13 of her nonhuman friends, including an octopus, a tarantula, dogs, emus, and hens, Montgomery reflects upon their personalities, describes their communication behaviors with animals and humans, ways they protect their young, and how a tarantula chews its food. Presenting an accessible discussion of animal survival, emotions, trainability, and animal-human bonding, Montgomery exudes the wonder, empathy, and emotions she experiences as she studies her pals living their lives and in the process learns to live her own life as a "good creature." Well read by the author.