This is a true story. An incredible story. It is about a Harvard researcher and her subject – the African Grey parrot, Alex. After 30 years of collaborative research and groundbreaking discoveries, Alex passed away in 2007. Ms. Pepperberg then wrote down their shared experiences, and the result is this wonderful book. The author, in a way understandable even to laypeople in behavioral science, narrates her time with the African Grey parrot, from the tough struggle for research funding at the beginning of her project to the international recognition of the bird and the significant media interest in him. In addition to gaining insight into the fundamental theories of animal behavior biology, especially in parrots, the reader learns about this incredibly intelligent bird and his unique character through astonishing, amusing, and heartwarming anecdotes.

I completely agree with the author when she tries to express what she and we can learn from Alex, namely, ‘that there is only one creation, one nature, one idea that stands behind everything, expressed in creatures of all kinds who live their unity with the one divine thought.’ (Alex and Me)

Alex’s final words to his longtime caretaker were: ‘You be good. I love you.’ (Alex and Me).

For readers…

…who want to experience with growing wonder how impressive such a small parrot can be and how much lies behind the whole concept of “creation.”

My rating

I read the German translation of this book. It was send to my as a free review copy. Although I normally prefer to read fiction, this book I really enjoyed reading. Its a good read. I read it with enthusiasm and realized how similar we all are somehow because we all originate from the same idea.

A definite Good Read!