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In THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS, National Geographic explorer Lucy Cooke, who has an Oxford University Masters in zoology, gives us a wild wacky informative and very funny tour of 13 different animals — bats, beavers, chimpanzees, eels, frogs, hippos, hyenas, pandas, penguins, moose, sloths, storks, and vultures. This is an utterly absorbing and laugh-out-loud guide to the Animal Kingdom that will have you spouting weird animal factoids for days.

Turns animal myths on their head, while allowing us to accompany Cooke on a worldwide trip to meet everyone from a Chinese panda porn peddler to a Colombian hippo castrator, all to educate about the animals she clearly loves.

Cooke once spent six months traveling South America solo to raise awareness about the swift extinction of amphibians and founded the Sloth Appreciation Society to promote understanding of the creatures she adores. She is also a talented filmmaker, broadcaster and photographer, who has produced and presented award-winning documentaries for Nat Geo, Discovery, PBS, BBC, and others. All in all, quite a life!

THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS is highly recommended for adults who love animals and children old enough to withstand the knowledge of bat orgies, beaver ‘nads and the sex lives of eels. 5/5

Pub Date 17 Apr 2018

Thanks to Perseus Books, Basic Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#TheTruthAboutAnimals #NetGalley

Thanks to NetGalley, I got an opportunity to read this marvellous account of debunking myths and misconceptions about some of the most misunderstood animals in the world. Lucy Cooke also writes in a refreshingly humorous way; I found myself chuckling at almost every page in the book. Jokes aside, the book really does a lot in changing the perspective regarding the animals. Some misconceptions were outdated, not so widespread today as they were before the age of internet, but still, it was interesting to read what our ancestors thought about our world fauna, what was behind these ideas, and what the truth really is.
Humans tend to anthropomorphize animals in an effort to make sense of our own behaviour, but, as this book points out, we shouldn't. Their quirks and anatomy designs affect their chances for survival and each of them has its purpose and place in its environment. Even mosquitos, who I often wish to eradicate completely, have their purpose. (Somewhere. Not on my skin.) It's not up to us how animals should behave and look like, nor we should judge them if they do not fit our standards. This book manages perfectly both to show the wonders of the animals world and to teach us about humility and respect for animals.

This book is magnificent, split into one chapter per misunderstood animal. Filled with the misunderstandings about each species and fascinating facts now confirmed by science.

Cooke's writing style is hugely entertaining, casual and so, so quotable (Hey, did you know that vultures will projectile vom rotting meat at predators?). Everything is well grounded in scientific research and her own personal findings while globetrotting and working with the BBC, so you feel like you're being educated as you go along, without being bogged down with citations and scientific jargon. There are puns about beaver testicles, you're in safe hands when it comes to jargon.

I adore this book and will be recommending it to friends, you can take a rest between chapters to digest all the information without losing your thread.

A book about animals and their odd behaviours? Count me in! "The Truth About Animals" by Lucy Cooke takes us on a worldwide journey to meet everyone from a Colombian hippo castrator to a Chinese panda porn peddler, all to lay bare the secret--and often hilarious--habits of the animal kingdom. Charming and at times downright weird, this modern bestiary is perfect for anyone who has ever suspected that virtue might be unnatural (from synopsis).

This is such a unique and fascinating read, full of interesting information that I haven't come across in any other books. Perfect for those who enjoy learning about animals, fact lovers and those seeking a lighthearted and super-funny read. Some of the facts could be considered crude, so it isn't something to purchase if you are prudish.

Cooke maintains that we have many misconceptions about animals and makes a conscious effort to correct these within this title. I feel that once people know some of these stories that they will want to know more. I sincerely hope Cooke writes another similar book, she has certainly found a niche. There is noone else I know making such excellent books, full of the oddities that exist in the animal kingdom. Although this is non-fiction, I feel strongly that a vast swathe of fiction-only readers would appreciate it too. The reason people usually give for not wanting to venture back into non-fiction is that the genre is dull. "The Truth About Animals" will change your mind! It is far from boring! I adored it!

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Perseus Books, Basic Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Completely enjoyed this book which describes the strangeness of the animal kingdom and certain animals, including eels, moose, pandas, and chimps. Cooke explore these animals from a zoological perspective and historical perspective, particularly how naturalists and biologists of the past misunderstood these animals or infused their attempts to understand them with anthromorphism or religious underpinnings. Cooke’s point is that these animals aren’t here for our entertainment or even for us to study and the only way we can truly understand nature is to try to view the animals that comprise the world from their perspective and not ours. But the book isn’t all deep thoughts but contain fascinating glimpses at amazing animals. Who knew that the genitalia of hyenas could be so enthralling.

The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlife by Lucy Cooke is an impressive selection of information on 13 different animals. Eels, beavers, sloths, hyenas, vultures, bats, frogs, storks, hippos, moose, pandas, penguins, and chimpanzees are covered.

Each chapter includes notes about what people thought about the animal in the past, what kinds of behaviors are in question, and what we know about the animal currently as compared to the past. There are plenty of facts both historical and scientific. Humor is sprinkled throughout.

Even though there is humor, I didn't find it quite as funny as I expected it to be when the blurb compared the book to Mary Roach and Bill Bryson. I enjoyed the facts and most of the chapters, but I was almost lost in the first chapter about eels and their sex lives and origins. Things picked up from there for me, thankfully. The chapters I enjoyed the most were the ones on sloths, hippos, pandas, and penguins.

Just a note, a lot of the book has to do with reproduction. And some of the historical facts involve less than humane treatment of the animals in the past.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Overall. it's well-written and has interesting facts.

The Truth About Animals by Lucy Cooke was released April 17th, 2018 from Basic Books part of the Hachette Book Group.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is freely given and all my own opinions.

I love reading books by people who are passionate about their work. It easily shows in their writing and makes you eager to learn more. Cooke’s love of animals is clear and contagious in The Truth About animals.

There are 13 animals highlighted in this book. I’d have to say that my favorites were the sloth, hyena, hippo, and panda, although all of them had interesting tidbits.

Cooke’s extensive knowledge, research, and travels creates a book full of detailed information and anecdotes. And while I absolutely loved delving into all of these interesting creatures lives and habits, I have to say that Cooke’s conclusion will stay with me the longest. Her keen observation about how humans view their relationship to animals was incredibly well said and, in my opinion, very accurate.

Beware:After reading this book you may walk around spouting mostly useless but absofreakinglutely fascinating knowledge! Seriously, I believe my squat, hairy man was getting a wee bit sick of me! I adored this book. If it's an animal and its wild, then I'm gonna love it. From bats that are hung like a horse, to legends of beavers chewing off their 'nads to save themselves. Sloths, hippos, hyenas "I've always loved hyenas." Many, many more. I liked hearing about the old beliefs about animals daily doings. Just made me wonder how many misconceptions we still have today. This book also had be on my computer looking up everything I could of Glass Eels. I've never eaten eel, and now after discovering their life and death journey, I'm pretty sure I'll never eat one. Remarkable creatures. Yeah, this is definitely a book I'd recommend. I enjoyed everything about it. My thanks to the publishers, and Netgalley.

The book looks generally good. I got access to excerpt of this book. I wished to have access to the full book to provide a more deep review.

I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

<i>The Truth About Animals</i> is great fun, full of quirky, often crude facts about various animals. This is not a book for prudes! Cooke makes a conscious effort to correct sanitized, Disneyfied views on animals by bluntly discussing penguin orgies, bat penises, the allure of sloth poo, and the intriguing nature of hyena anatomy.

This is also not a book for people who are triggered by animal abuse. Cooke elaborates on the mythology around animals and how scientists in recent centuries (and decades, sadly) conducted cruel, almost senseless experimentation in the name of science. It used to be a great mystery as to where European birds went in the winter. Some believed they transformed into other winter birds, or hibernated in deep ponds (cue many horrible bird drownings to test this theory), or even migrated to the moon.

I requested this book largely because I have a deep love for sloths and wanted to read that chapter, but I ended up learning something new on about every page. Some of that information was a bit on the disturbing side--I never expected to learn of a chimpanzee's cocktail-swilling and self-pleasuring ways--but it was consistently fascinating.

This book takes a number of often-maligned animals from sloths to hyenas and, with a chapter devoted to each, tells us the truth about them. Unhappily, Cooke is a very pedestrian writer and so the book just isn't captivating. I certainly never felt the wonder she feels for the creature's. Nor did I feel any wonder at how strange they are or any curiosity to learn more.

Wonderful discussion of interesting animals

This is a great book. Lucy Cooke teaches about all sorts of weird and wonderful animals and she does so in an amusing, conversational and clear way. Cooke shows a great sense of humor and the book was hard to put down. Interestingly, this is the second great zoology book I've recently read. The other one is Strange Survivors by Oné R. Pagán. Both are excellent books and are must-reads for anyone interested in zoology. I can't recommend one over the other but I can strongly recommend them both.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

In <i>The Truth About Animals</i>, Lucy Cooke pokes fun at the myths, misunderstandings and questionable artistic renderings of animals through the days of early science. Seems humans are prepared to believe just about anything if the right people say it's so. These maligned animals eventually do find redemption through modern research. Unfortunately, as habitats disappear, our newfound understanding may be too late for some species.

This book is interesting and sometimes funny. Not for those squeamish about giant, bat genitalia.

<i>I received this book as a digital ARC. All views are my own.</i>

Every once in a while I need to read a science book, preferably one that speaks about animals and conservation. And this one joined both topics, but also combined them with Natural History and humour. If only my university classes had been so entertaining I wouldn't have skipped so many and I might have had better results.

I recommend this book to everyone who likes to know real facts about real animals, especially the ones that tend not to have so much cuteness factor, like vultures and toads. But even if they do have the cuteness overload, like pandas do, maybe we need to understand why contributing to the viral videos that seem so sweet and funny might actually not be doing them a world of good.

It was a really great read, and I will be looking forward for more books from this author.

The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlife by Lucy Cooke is a book I requested from NetGalley and I am so glad I was able to read it.
I read a lot of nature books and I want a few things from a book. I want a book that shows that an author really loves animals, that I learn something new, and that I am not bored while learning. Well this did all three and then some! It is obvious that the author loves animals, it is nearly palpable! I giggled and laughed through out this book! The things I learned, well, I wouldn't find in any other book!
When the author started talking about sloths, well, I was smiling already. They are so adorable but then the way it is written makes it even more hilarious. I really started giggling when the description came up of making them move fast. Then on to the female hyena penis delivery of babies or the sex act. Bat orgies or vampire bat blood spewing and so much more! I was hysterical with laughter!
There are myths in there too, they had me laughing as well. I hadn't heard them before. Wait til you find out what they put beaver gonad ass juice in that we use today, so gross! This is certainly a book that covers my three MUSTS for a nature book. It is a must read for anyone!

The book is exactly as described:myths and histories of animals, how they likely came to be, and investigating of there are any truths to them. I found some animals stories to be better written/ more interesting than others. I'm sure part of this has to do with how I feel about each animal; obviously I am more invested in animals that hold more personal interest to me. Occasionally I thought there was a bit too much of the history behind what people have said about the animals. I could also do without hearing about people eating them ( vegan here!) , but it was still a good read. Hop in, and don't worry if one animal or a few don't hold interest, you will have many more to choose from!

Tredici animali, tredici inchieste sulle stravaganze di Madre Natura - ma sulle ancora più stravaganti idee degli esseri umani nel corso dei secoli.
Un viaggio esilarante e istruttivo insieme, che spero venga presto replicato in un secondo libro.

Well written and researched. There were some obscure facts that I didn't know before reading this Highly recommend.

This book did not give me what I expected and the reason is because I think this book was aimed at people who are looking for an unusual insight to the animal kingdom, which I already have since I'm on my second degree in an animal science-based degree. Nevertheless, there were some really good facts in here - I won't say what because, spoilers!

The animals covered included some of my favourites; freshwater eels, pandas and frogs. The writing seemed largely anecdotal and some parts read like they were setting the scene for a fictional story - something I wouldn't want in a non-fiction book. The main issue for me was the disparaging remarks about significant figures like Charles Darwin and Carl Linnaeus, implying that their work contained too many errors; if like Carl Linnaeus you devise an entire classification system for cataloguing the entire world's living creatures, there's bound to be the odd error here and there - hell, scientists continue to rearrange and reclassify species following major research but that doesn't make the work by Linnaeus wrong!

There were some references to additional reading that I definitely intend to have a look into, because that is one of the things I love about non-fiction books on animals - the reference list! For those looking for a fun 'Did You Know' read about animals, with a fair amount of history thrown in, this is excellent. For me, this felt like an opportunity to showcase the animals the author has an affinity for in a very positive light but the chapters covering some other species were littered with derogatory remarks regarding the species' worth.

This was the best quote in this book: "science is not going to save biodiversity; a shift in human behaviour is the only thing that is going to save it" - unfortunately, this hits the nail on the head.