Journal Entry 1 by FeistyPom2Love from Carpinteria, California USA on Monday, September 12, 2011

I recently read this book and absolutely LOVED reading about Alex & Irene M. Pepperberg's 31 year relationship and how Dr. Pepperberg was able to discover that parrots aren't really bird brains after all, but very intelligent animals.

Amazon Editorial Review:

"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 famous—two 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 thin—despite 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."

List of bookray participants:

Agrace
azuki
collectorkerri
 

Journal Entry 2 by FeistyPom2Love at Frisco, Texas USA on Monday, September 19, 2011

Released 8 mos ago (9/20/2011 UTC) at Frisco, Texas USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing this off to the 1st recipient of the USA Only Alex & Me bookray. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 3 by Agrace at Frisco, Texas USA on Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Thanks Feisty! I received this today and am looking forward to getting started. Timing is interesting as a friend just adopted a Senegal parrot yesterday and I am envious! 

Journal Entry 4 by Agrace at Frisco, Texas USA on Wednesday, October 12, 2011

enjoyed the book very much! Thanks for making me a part of the ring. I was a little disappointed that she didn't say much about what the average parrot was able to learn, but Alex was truly amazing! And, much to my husband's delight, I realized I do not have time for a bird!

Mailing on today 

Journal Entry 5 by azuki at Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Walle and I are very happy to receive the book. Walle the little parrotlet doesn't quite know how to say I love you, the only word he can say is Pizza, despite he never having tasted one... but he hopes that this book will show his people how smart he is and that he deserves lots of treats and tickles.

11/17 - sorry I haven't started on this yet. Didn't get much reading time as work is busy w trips and overtime. This is next on my TBR but is taking a while to read my current book.

12/2 - Started on the book. About half way through, sent pm to next person for address. 

Journal Entry 6 by azuki at Miami, Florida USA on Sunday, December 11, 2011

I absolutely love the book, and kept reading parts of it to my husband. My favorite episode is when Alex refused to cooperate and kept giving the wrong answer, until Pepperburg decided that he deserved a timeout. Then Alex started calling out "Two (the correct answer)... two... I'm sorry... Come back... Two..."

I wish the book were longer. Most certainly there are lots of these episodes that didn't get into the book. It's really amazing how smart Alex is (though African Greys don't look as cute and beautiful as other parrots - looks and brains don't go together, I'm afraid).

This will now be mailed to the next reader.  

Journal Entry 7 by collectorkerri at Springfield, Illinois USA on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Received in yesterday's mail. As I am last in the bookray, I will read soon and pass along to another reader.