Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves

“Game-changing. . . . [S]ucceeds most brilliantly in the stories de Waal relates.” ― Sy Montgomery, New York Times Book Review

Mama’s Last Hug is a fascinating exploration of the rich emotional lives of animals― beginning with Mama, a chimpanzee matriarch who formed a deep bond with biologist Jan van Hooff. Her story and others like it show that humans are not the only species with the capacity for love, hate, fear, shame, guilt, joy, disgust, and empathy, and open our hearts and minds to the many ways in which humans and other animals are connected.

“Through colorful stories and riveting prose, de Waal firmly puts to rest the stubborn notion that humans alone in the animal kingdom experience a broad array of emotions.” ― Barbara J. King, NPR

“De Waal’s eye- opening observations argue for better treatment and greater appreciation of animals, even as he ensures that you’ll never look at them―or yourself―the same way again.” ― People

16 pages of black and white illustrations