One of those rare books that can change the reader's view of our position in the world and within the animal kingdom, Unlocking the Cage is a landmark both in its scientific insight and in its challenge to the law. As Steven Wise continues his exploration of animal cognition along the evolutionary spectrum--from apes to dolphins, parrots, elephants, dogs, and even honeybees--he finds astonishing answers to the big question in animal rights today: Where do we draw the line? The law has firm criteria for personhood and Wise shows how certain non-human animals meet those criteria.Readers will be enthralled as they follow Wise's firsthand investigations of the work of the world's most famous animal experts: in Kenya with Cynthia Moss and the touchingly affectionate elephant families of Amboseli, in the mountains of Uganda with Richard Wrangham and the chimpanzees of the Kibale Forest, at MIT with Irene Pepperberg and her amazing and witty gray parrot, Alex, and in the California sanctuary where Penny Paterson has spent two decades learning about the skills and vivid personality of Koko the gorilla. In many cases, Wise was even able to sustain an extended conversation with these extraordinary creatures. Steven Wise is the world's foremost expert on the legal rights of animals and has devoted his life to litigating, writing, and working on their behalf. No one with a shred of curiosity about animals, about rights, or about justice will want to miss this book.A Merloyd Lawrence Book A pioneer in the field of animal rights law and author of Rattling the Cage, Wise has written yet another groundbreaking book a page-turner for anyone even remotely interested in the legal status of nonhuman animals. He has devised a taxonomy that allows him (and us) to consider whether an animal possesses self-awareness and has mental abilities, desires, and intentions that resemble those of humans. Using this tool, Wise studies various species, including African Grey parrots, dogs, chimpanzees, dolphins, and even human children to determine whether they are entitled to recognition as legal persons with rights and dignity. His conclusions are based on observation, experiments, and the thinking of such well-known ethologists and neuroscientists as Roger Fouts, Irene Pepperberg, Donald Griffin, and Antonio Damasio. The result is a provocative and solidly grounded book. Essential for all libraries. Peggie Partello, Keene State Coll. Lib., NH Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. " Drawing the Line answers the most essential question posed to animal advocates." -- Rain Taxi Fall, 2002 "A carefully researched book." -- Animals Magazine, Summer/02 "An unusual blending of entertaining anecdotes with closely reasoned and heavily footnoted arguments. A strong contribution." -- Choice November, 2002 "Few have devoted as much time and energy as Wise to advocating animal rights." -- The Christian Science Monitor, 7/3/02 "Provocative and disturbing...compelling and cogent...an important book to read." -- Nature , 7/25/02 "User-friendly and enjoyable to read...serves to expand traditional notions of justice and equity." -- The New York Law Journal , 7/29/02 "Wise's accounts of animals' mental abilities are fascinating and thought-provoking." -- Salon.com, 9/3/02 "[Wise has] the skill and seriousness the subject deserves." -- Wilson Quarterly, Autumn, 2002 Steven M. Wise, J.D., former president of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, has taught "Animal Rights Law" at the Harvard Law School, Vermont Law School, and John Marshall Law.