The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)
Author
Contributors
Montgomery, Sy Author
Published
Atria Books , 2016.
Appears on list
Status
Checked Out
Available Platforms
Libby/OverDrive
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Kindle
Titles may be read using Kindle devices or with the Kindle app.
Description
Finalist for the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction New York Times Bestseller “Sy Montgomery’s The Soul of an Octopus does for the creature what Helen Macdonald’s H Is for Hawk did for raptors.” —New Statesman, UK Starred Booklist and Library Journal Editors’ Spring Pick “One of the best science books of the year” —Science Friday, NPR A Huffington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of the Year One of the Best Books of the Month on Goodreads Library Journal Best Sci-Tech Book of 2015 An American Library Association Notable Book of the Year In this astonishing book from the author of the bestselling memoir The Good Good Pig, Sy Montgomery explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus—a surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited creature—and the remarkable connections it makes with humans.Sy Montgomery’s popular 2011 Orion magazine piece, “Deep Intellect,” about her friendship with a sensitive, sweet-natured octopus named Athena and the grief she felt at her death, went viral, indicating the widespread fascination with these mysterious, almost alien-like creatures. Since then Sy has practiced true immersion journalism, from New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, pursuing these wild, solitary shape-shifters. Octopuses have varied personalities and intelligence they show in myriad ways: endless trickery to escape enclosures and get food; jetting water playfully to bounce objects like balls; and evading caretakers by using a scoop net as a trampoline and running around the floor on eight arms. But with a beak like a parrot, venom like a snake, and a tongue covered with teeth, how can such a being know anything? And what sort of thoughts could it think? The intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees was only recently accepted by scientists, who now are establishing the intelligence of the octopus, watching them solve problems and deciphering the meaning of their color-changing camouflage techniques. Montgomery chronicles this growing appreciation of the octopus, but also tells a love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about consciousness and the meeting of two very different minds.
More Details
Format
eBook, Kindle
Street Date
07/12/2016
Language
English
ISBN
9781501161148
Subjects
Excerpt
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Similar Titles From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
An obsession with octopuses drives these fact-filled, thought-provoking books. Many Things Under a Rock draws on its marine biologist author's field research on octopus behavior, while The Soul of an Octopus follows a naturalist's interactions with aquarium-dwelling specimens. -- NoveList Contributor
Readers interested in thought-provoking, engaging science writing will enjoy these explorations of the emotional and intellectual depth of animals. Soul focuses on octopuses while Last Hug draws on examples from across the animal kingdom. -- Andrea Gough
Encounters with octopuses fuel investigations into cephalopod cognition in these accessible science books. Other Minds uses these creatures to frame a philosophical debate about consciousness in animals, while The Soul of an Octopus reveals their remarkable abilities and colorful personalities. -- NoveList Contributor
Observation of -- and interaction with -- various species yields insights about animal consciousness, intelligence, and emotions. Beyond Words examines the complex social dynamics of wild elephants, wolves, and orcas; The Soul of an Octopus describes cephalopod behavior in captivity. -- NoveList Contributor
These books have the genre "nature writing -- animal studies"; and the subjects "octopuses," "marine animals," and "cephalopoda."
These books have the genres "nature writing -- animal studies" and "adult books for young adults"; and the subject "animal behavior."
Although coming from different angles -- a country veterinarian and farmers (Bright and Beautiful), and aquarium scientists (The Soul of an Octopus), both compelling and engaging books showcase the appeal and rewards of a life spent forming close bonds with animals. -- Melissa Gray
Fathoms: the world in the whale - Giggs, Rebecca
We recommend Fathoms for readers who like The Soul of an Octopus. Both are thought-provoking explorations into the lives of marine animals, touching on issues from consciousness and communication to environmental challenges. -- Victoria Fredrick
Elephant company: the inspiring story of an unlikely hero and the animals who helped him save lives in World War II - Croke, Vicki
The connection between human and animal can be as profound as it is unexpected, as these upbeat and fascinating books show, whether it be with working and military elephants (Elephant Company) or octopi in captivity (The Soul of an Octopus). -- Melissa Gray
These books have the subjects "octopuses," "marine animals," and "habitats."
Whether giving readers a sweeping view of the species (Octopus!) or chronicling personal encounters with individual animals (The Soul of an Octopus), these thought-provoking and accessible books explore these fascinating cephalopods, including explorations into their intelligence, emotions, and amazing physiology. -- Melissa Gray
Octopus fans (and if you aren't one, why not?) will be equally intrigued by speculations on cephalopod intelligence in the elegant, upbeat The Soul of an Octopus and the well-researched hard science fiction novel, The Mountain in the Sea. -- Michael Shumate
Similar Authors From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Older kids who are fans of animals and the outdoors will be drawn to both Jean Craighead George and Sy Montgomery who both write knowledgeably about animals and their habitats in fascinating nonfiction books. George has also written well-researched fiction with animal and conservation themes. -- Kathy Stewart
Peter Matthiessen and Sy Montgomery share a profound concern for the world's endangered species and a deep appreciation for nature. Their nonfiction addresses serious conservation issues in impassioned and sobering prose that is alternately lyrical and plainspoken. Seldom have the creatures of the wilderness had such staunch, persuasive allies. -- Mike Nilsson
These authors' works have the genre "narrative nonfiction for kids and teens"; and the subjects "rare and endangered animals," "wildlife conservation," and "animal intelligence."
These authors' works have the genre "nature writing"; and the subjects "animal behavior," "birds," and "human-animal relationships."
These authors' works have the subjects "marine animals," "octopuses," and "animal behavior"; and illustrations that are "photographic illustrations."
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Citations
APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)
Montgomery, S. (2016). The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness . Atria Books.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Montgomery, Sy. 2016. The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness. Atria Books.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Montgomery, Sy. The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness Atria Books, 2016.
Harvard Citation (style guide)Montgomery, S. (2016). The soul of an octopus: a surprising exploration into the wonder of consciousness. Atria Books.
MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)Montgomery, Sy. The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness Atria Books, 2016.
Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.
Copy Details
| Collection | Owned | Available | Number of Holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Libby | 2 | 0 | 9 |
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