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Alex & Me
Alex & Me | Irene Pepperberg
4 posts | 17 read | 9 to read
On September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age thirty-one. His last words to his owner, Irene Pepperberg, were "You be good. I love you." What would normally be a quiet, very private event was, in Alex's case, headline news. Over the thirty years they had worked together, Alex and Irene had become famoustwo pioneers who opened an unprecedented window into the hidden yet vast world of animal minds. Alex's brain was the size of a shelled walnut, and when Irene and Alex first met, birds were not believed to possess any potential for language, consciousness, or anything remotely comparable to human intelligence. Yet, over the years, Alex proved many things. He could add. He could sound out words. He understood concepts like bigger, smaller, more, fewer, and none. He was capable of thought and intention. Together, Alex and Irene uncovered a startling reality: We live in a world populated by thinking, conscious creatures. The fame that resulted was extraordinary. Yet there was a side to their relationship that never made the papers. They were emotionally connected to one another. They shared a deep bond far beyond science. Alex missed Irene when she was away. He was jealous when she paid attention to other parrots, or even people. He liked to show her who was boss. He loved to dance. He sometimes became bored by the repetition of his tests, and played jokes on her. Sometimes they sniped at each other. Yet nearly every day, they each said, "I love you." Alex and Irene stayed together through thick and thindespite sneers from experts, extraordinary financial sacrifices, and a nomadic existence from one university to another. The story of their thirty-year adventure is equally a landmark of scientific achievement and of an unforgettable human-animal bond.
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jdiehr
Alex & Me | Irene Pepperberg
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Pickpick

I chose "Alex & Me" for my free Amazon Kindle book this month. Normally, I am not a huge fan of animal books, but I really enjoyed this! An amazing African Grey Parrot whose language skills exceeded all expectations. His last words to his "person" before he died were, "You be good. I love you." If that doesn't tug at your heart strings...

GripLitGrl I loved this book such a great story.💗 6y
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zsuzsanna_reads
Alex & Me | Irene Pepperberg
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Mehso-so

I liked the story of Dr. Pepperberg and Alex the parrot, but I wish there were more details of the science in the book.

Oryx Alex was incredible.💕 8y
zsuzsanna_reads @Oryx yes such a brilliant character! I keep saying to myself "wanna go back" when I don't feel like working ? But I am an academic an want more science darn it! Although we did get to find out that Alex are a grant application ? 8y
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Oryx
Alex & Me | Irene Pepperberg
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Wesley and Alex, a couple of #true characters from my fav non fiction reads. You'll redefine the term "bird brain" after reading about these guys! ?? #lyricalapril @Cinfhen Alex also makes an appearance in Oryx and Crake.

Cinfhen WOW! pretty amazing 😍 8y
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StaceyKondla
Alex & Me | Irene Pepperberg
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Pickpick

#funfriday @Liberty My fun Friday photo has a picture of a parrot and is also about a parrot 😊 This is an amazing book by Dr Irene Pepperberg and the Aftican Grey Parrot, Alex, and about the Avian Language Experiments she ran to prove the amazing cognitive functions of parrots. The real parrot is my darling, Gryphon. I love him with all my heart!!

LeahBergen Awww! Hello, Gryphon. 8y
CherylDeFranceschi ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Also, very meta! Nicely done! 8y
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LauraBeth What a beautiful bird ❤️❤️ 8y
Bette 🐦❤️ 8y
Gezemice Love that photo! You captured even the pose! Awesome! ❤️❤️👍 8y
BookishBeth Loved that book. Sad, but good. Have you read Wesley the Owl? Another great bird love story. 🐦 8y
Eyelit 💚🐦 8y
StaceyKondla @LeahBergen Gryphon says Hi back 😊 @CherylDeFranceschi @LauraBeth @Gezemice Gryphon is a showboat and enjoys posing for pictures @BNDSpears I have read Wesley the Owl - I'm a sucker for books about bird/human relationships! 8y
StaceyKondla @Bette @Eyelit Gryphon says thank you for the hearts 🐦 8y
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