Much Like Us

Norbert Sachser is Professor of Zoology and Head of the Department of Behavioural Biology at the University of Münster, Germany. Widely-considered to be one of Germany's leading behavioural biologists, he is known particularly for his pioneering work on stress, social behaviour and welfare indicators in mammals.

'A masterful synthesis of science and storytelling by one of the world's leading experts in animal behaviour. In Much Like Us, Sachser's remarkable ability to communicate scientifically complex concepts with clarity and humour is on full display. The result: a remarkable book providing a new understanding of the origins and nature of 'animal' (non-human and human) behaviour. His remarkable new book contains many of the insights his scientific colleagues have admired for decades. Yet, his engaging and elegant writing make this book deeply accessible for a wide range of audiences: from the academic scholars and their students to anyone interested in why and how we human animals came to behave as we do. A deeply insightful and powerful book, which transforms our understanding of not only behaviour, but of our place as humans within the tree of life.' B. Natterson-Horowitz, Harvard Medical School, USA

• Preface; 1. Typical human, typical animal?: Reconceptualising the animal – an Introduction; 2. Ginger boris doesn't like to be alone: On behaviour, stress, and the blessing of socially stable relationships; 3. Cats are happy when they're playing: On the well-being, emotions, and humane treatment of animals; 4. Nature vs Nurture: Genes, environment, and behaviour: New answers to an old question; 5. Clever dogs and ingenious ravens: All animals can learn, many can think, and some can even recognise themselves in a mirror; 6. Animal personalities: The development of behaviour and the discovery of individuality; 7. Altruistic squirrels and egotistical lions: The sociobiological revolution; 8. Animals like us: A summary; Bibliography.