Autobiography Book Discussion Group: “Alex and Me” May 19, 2010

Autobiography Book Discussion Group: “Alex and Me”

Wednesday, May 19th, 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m., Hayward Main Library, 835 C St. @ Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA 94541 (2 blocks from Hayward BART)
This month we will be discussing Alex and Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence-and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process by Irene M Pepperberg. On September 6, 2007, an African Grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at age 31. 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 30 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. 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. 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 30 year adventure is equally a landmark of scientific achievement and of an unforgettable human-animal bond. Call 510-881-7980 for info.

Official Website: http://www.library.hayward-ca.gov