30 Books Written
This work has become a benchmark of popular anthropology and psychology.Zoologist Desmond Morris considers humans as being simply another animal species in this classic book first published in 1967. Here is the Naked Ape at his most primal in love, at work, at war. Meet man as he really is: relative to the apes, stripped of his veneer as we see him courting, making love, sleeping, socializing, grooming, playing. The Naked Ape takes its place alongside Darwin’s Origin of the Species, presenting man not as a fallen angel, but as a risen ape, remarkable in his resilience, energy and imagination, yet an animal nonetheless, in danger of forgetting his origins. With its penetrating insights on man's beginnings, sex life, habits and our astonishing bonds to the animal kingdom, The Naked Ape is a landmark, at once provocative, compelling and timeless.
This study concerns the city dweller. Morris finds remarkable similarities with captive zoo animals and looks closely at the aggressive, sexual and parental behaviour of the human species under the stresses and pressures of urban living.
Peoplewatching is the culmination of a career of watching people - their behaviour and habits, their personalities and their quirks. Desmond Morris shows us how people, consciously and unconsciously, signal their attitudes, desires and innermost feelings with their bodies and actions, often more powerfully than with their words.
The personality of the cat is a fascinating mixture of affection, domesticity and active independence. You may think you know your cat as he purrs in your lap, but come across your pet in the street on a dark night and you might think that Bagpuss suffers from a dual personality.Every single feline pet carries an inheritance of amazing sensory capacities, vocal utterances, body language and territorial displays. By answering such questions as 'what does a cat signal with its ears? 'why does a cat rub up against your leg?' and 'why does a cat swing its head from side to side when staring at its prey?', Desmond Morris decodes the private world of the cat.Your cat is full of surprises and our finest zoologist is about to reveal their secrets in this beautifully repackaged edition of a much loved bestseller.
Internationally bestselling author and world-famous human behaviorist Desmond Morris turns his attention to the female form, taking the reader on a guided tour of the female body from head to toe. Highlighting the evolutionary functions of various physiological traits, Morris's study explores the various forms of enhancement and constraint that human societies have developed in the quest for the perfect female form. This is very much vintage Desmond Morris, delivered in his trademark voice: direct, clear, focused, and communicating what is often complex detail in simple language. In THE NAKED WOMAN, Desmond builds on his unrivalled experience as an observer of the human animal while tackling one of his most fascinating and challenging subjects to date.
Twenty-five years after it first caused a splash in the scientific and literary worlds, Intimate Behavior is still one of the best chronicles of human intimacy. With a masterful and entertaining eye, Desmond Morris, bestselling author of The Naked Ape and The Human Zoo , analyzes the roots ofhuman intimacy, from the handshake through the twelve stages that people pass through on their way to the total sexual embrace. Morris contends that the months just before and after birth are when the seeds of intimacy are planted and are critical to development. From the loving attention of themother, the child learns and responds with intimate gestures of his or her own. He argues that human adults follow certain patterns of intimate behaviour that are based on these infant experiences for their entire lives. In addition to sexual intimacy, Morris discussed social intimacy, intimacysubstitutes, object intimacy, and self-intimacy. Complete with a new preface by the author, Intimate Behavior is a provocative view of humans need to touch and to be touched, to love and to be loved. At a crucial moment, a gentle embrace can still do more good than a thousand earnest discussions.Despite all our social and technological advances, the primeval body language of love still remains the most potent force we have for the expression of feelings of comfort and caring. Desmond Morris, from his new Preface
Dogwatching answers fundamental and fascinating questions about man's best friend--questions often overlooked by standard dog books and even by dog owners themselves. 21 black-and-white photographs.
Life histories of the Surrealists, known and unknown, by one of the last surviving members of the movement―artist and best-selling author Desmond Morris Surrealism did not begin as an art movement but as a philosophical strategy, a way of life, and a rebellion against the establishment that gave rise to the First World War. In Lives of the Surrealists , Desmond Morris concentrates on the artists as people―as remarkable individuals. What were their personalities, their predilections, their character strengths and flaws? Unlike the Impressionists or the Cubists, the surrealists did not obey a fixed visual code, but rather the rules of surrealist work from the unconscious, letting your darkest, most irrational thoughts well up and shape your art. An artist himself, and contemporary of the later surrealists, Morris illuminates the considerable variation in each artist’s approach to this technique. While some were out-and-out surrealists in all they did, others lived more orthodox lives and only became surrealists at the easel or in the studio. Focusing on the thirty-five artists most closely associated with the surrealist movement, Morris lends context to their life histories with narratives of their idiosyncrasies and their often complex love lives, alongside photos of the artists and their work. 70+ illustrations, 35 in color
In this small, elegant volume, Morris explores our paradoxical relationship with the owl, symbol of both wisdom and evil. He examines its depiction in mythology, literature and art and provides an overview of its fascinating biology. Beautiful photographs illustrate the allure of this mysterious creature. – Sierra Magazine Owl is sparely and eloquently written, scholarly and highly readable . . . an entertaining and informative little gem. It will particularly appeal to the many devotees of these eternally iconic birds. – Emu-Austral Ornithology‘The owls are not what they seem.’ From ancient Babylon to Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussycat and the grandiloquent, absent-minded Wol from Winnie the Pooh to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, owls have woven themselves into the fabric of human culture from earliest times. Beautiful, silent, pitiless predators of the night, possessing contradictory qualities of good and evil, they are enigmatic creatures that dwell throughout the world yet barely make their presence known. In his fascinating new book, bestselling author and broadcaster Desmond Morris explores the natural and cultural history of one of nature’s most popular creatures. Morris describes the evolution, the many species, and the wide spread of owls around the world – excluding Antarctica, owls are found on every land mass, and they range in size from 28 centimetres (the Least Pygmy Owl) to more than 70 centimetres tall (the Eurasian Eagle Owl). As a result of their wide distribution, owls also occur in the folk-tales, myths and legends of many native peoples, and Morris explores all these, as well as the many examples of owls in art, film, literature and popular culture. A new title by an acclaimed author, and featuring many telling illustrations from nature and culture, Owl will appeal to the many devotees of this emblematic bird. Despite the fact that many have never seen or even heard an owl, he illustrates through this enticing read that the owl’s presence is still very real to us today.Desmond Morris is a well-known and critically acclaimed writer and broadcaster. His many books include The Naked Ape (1967), The Human Zoo (1969), and The Human Animal (1994), and he has contributed to numerous natural history and scientific publications.
This stunningly illustrated book provides new understanding of human behavior based on our almost identical genetic heritage. However much we may think we have evolved from our animal ancestors, Desmond Morris shows that our instinct and behavior are still rooted in our animal past. 140 full-color and 10 black-and-white photographs.
The astonishing story of a baby's first two years Renowned zoologist and scholar of human behavior Desmond Morris ( The Naked Ape ) reveals a baby's incredible powers of development and extraordinary growth patterns Through informed text and stunning photographs and artworks, this insightful reference surveys the biology, physics, chemistry and other forces which drive the rapid changes that occur in a baby's body every day Amazing Baby is a discovery tour through a baby's first two years The story progresses from the moment of conception through each phase of development in the womb and beyond as the baby is born and matures into a talking, walking individual with a unique personality Chapters are organized by both stage and type of growth The book features 250 large and beautiful color photographs and illustrations in an innovative layout that invites both browsing and study Full-color tracing paper overlays illustrate the many intricacies of infant anatomy Throughout the book, retrospective glimpses of life in the womb remind the reader of the profound influence of those first nine months This beautiful visual reference is designed to appeal to anyone -- especially parents -- interested in how the human body evolves and works It is also an ideal book to use with siblings of a new baby The contents Some of the fascinating facts in Amazing Desmond Morris' landmark book, The Naked A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal , was published in 1967 A worldwide best-seller, it examined how humans feed, sleep, fight, mate and raise young and compared human behavior with that of apes Controversial at the time, the book shed new light on the subject and helped change popular perceptions As in all his books, Desmond Morris reaches a popular audience and demystifies science
Trained as a zoologist, Desmond Morris now turns his attention to the first twelve months of human life, bringing a new approach to a number of intriguing and frequently asked questions. In straightforward, easy-to-understand language, Morris debunks ancient superstitions and adult-centered biases and helps us see the world from the baby's point of view. Illustrations.
Desmond Morris considers the cat in myth and history, and answers questions he received from cat owners after the publication of the internationally best-selling Catwatching. 31 black-and-white photographs.
The author of the phenomenally successful Catwatching, Dogwatching, and Catlore turns his attention to horses, answering more than 40 intriguing questions about the nature of the horse, and discussing the myths and history of horses through the ages. Desmond Morris delights animal lovers once again in this book of facts and lore. 25 black-and-white drawings.
What is happiness? Here, one of the world’s foremost behavioral scientists tackles this age-old question. He shows that there are many ways of achieving happiness; for example, there is the inherent happiness that comes with the love of a child; the competitive happiness of triumphing over your opponents; the sensual happiness of the hedonist. Rather than preaching a particular behavior or way of life, Morris provides knowledge that we can use, if we wish, to make ourselves happier.
A coffeetable book around the sport of soccer and the world cup.
In The Human Sexes Desmond Morris, international bestselling author of The Naked Ape and Manwatching, looks at the difference between men and women and investigates how their roles have changed since primitive times. Desmond Morris' research indicates that, contrary to popular belief, our ancient ancestors practised a form of sexual equality and that it was only with the rise of urbanization that the delicate balance of the sexes was disturbed. In many cultures this imbalance has resulted in the exploitation and suppression of women. Desmond Morris explores the hundreds of bizarre and often cruel human rites of passage which have been used to underline gender differences and speculates on the possible outcome of the long-running battle of the sexes.
This copiously illustrated book, by the ever-provocative Desmond Morris, is a pioneering and lively exploration of the importance of body language in how we understand art. Every time an artist portrays a human subject, a decision has to be made about the posture of the figure. Will they be standing, sitting, or reclining? Smiling, screaming, or weeping? Never before given such dedicated attention, Postures argues that the gestures portrayed in a work of art can reflect the mores of a particular period in history, the customs of a certain culture, or a fashion in artistic styles. Exploring these with masterful subtlety, celebrated artist and anthropologist Desmond Morris uncovers fascinating insights about changing social attitudes and conventions throughout history, finding surprising similarities and significant differences. Morris’s vast selection of gestures, from the handshake to the glove-slap, are analyzed and grouped according to wider forms of communication―greetings, threats, insults, and more. All are illustrated with full color works, ranging from prehistoric masks and Greek statues to contemporary paintings and sculptures. Postures uniquely combines Morris’s expertise in both art and social science, shedding new light on even the most familiar paintings. 300 color illustrations
Geïllustreerd / Illustrated / Illustré / Illustriert / / Biology / Engels / English / Anglais / Englisch / hard cover / dust jacket / 22 x 14 cm / 275 .pp /
Renowned animal behaviorist Desmond Morris has created an impressive guide to the history and variety of man's best friend. The entries are accompanied by over 500 line drawings, which express the character of the dogs represented in a way that photographs often fail to capture. Divided into four m
Russian Book. Azbuka - Attikus, SP. 640. 2021. Hardcover.
The first time Morris has written about himself since his autobiography Animal Days (1979).Desmond Morris wrote his autobiography Animal Days recounting his life up to 1967 when he published The Naked Ape , the world-famous bestseller which portrayed the human species in a way that caused enormous controversy at the time and broke many religious and sexual taboos. It was described by the Sunday Times as “the sort of book that changes people’s lives.” Since then, Desmond Morris has become one of the world’s authorities on human behaviour, writing numerous other bestsellers on the subject and is a familiar figure to millions of TV viewers for his series on human and animal behaviour.In this new volume of autobiographical essays, he describes his travels and his observations of human beings and human behaviour in fascinating and often hilarious detail. It was these observations which provided the raw material for such remarkable books as Manwatching and The Human Sexes , and the films that have accompanied them. His travels have taken him from the cities of North America to Mediterranean islands and around the whole of Europe in search of material for Gestures , and to the Pacific and around Africa for The Human Race – a total of some sixty countries throughout the world. The final chapter describes his recent journey around the world in ninety days.
The author reveals how human beings have consciously and unconsciously manipulated and displayed the parts of their bodies and shows, through over 450 illustrations, how outward differences merely disguise a shared humanity
Book by Morris, Desmond
Originally published in Great Britain (1990) by Virgin Books. Renowned ethologist Morris examines the spiritual roots of the human-animal relationship and how humans have betrayed their fellow species in the quest for progress. Impassioned and highly readable. (c) by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.
Describes in close detail the ingenious evolutionary strategies for survival and fascinating behaviors of all sorts of animals from reptiles who lose their tails to save themselves, to fish who change their sex
The lives, loves, and works of key British Surrealists revealed by one of the last surviving members of this movement, best-selling author and artist Desmond Morris. Honored for their idiosyncratic and imaginative works, the surrealists marked a pivotal moment in the history of modern art in Britain― pioneering the Surrealist movement between World War I and II. Many artists banded together to form the British Surrealist Group, while others carved their own, independent paths. Here, best-selling author and surrealist artist Desmond Morris―one of the last surviving members of this important art movement―draws on his personal memories and experiences to present the intriguing life stories, complex love lives, and groundbreaking works of this wild and curious set of artists. From the rebelliousness of Leonora Carrington to the beguiling Eileen Agar and the “brilliant” Ceri Richards, Morris brings his subjects’ triumphs as well as their shortcomings to the fore. Laced with his inimitable wit, and profusely illustrated by images of the artists and their artworks, Morris’s vivid account reflects the movement’s strange, rebellious, and imaginative nature. Featuring thirty- four surrealists―some famous, some now largely forgotten―Morris’s intimate book takes us back in time to a generation that allowed its creative unconscious to drive their passions in both art and life. 107 color illustrations
¿Por qué la cebra tiene rayas? ¿Cómo puede un camello atravesar el desierto durante días y días sin beber? ¿Qué hay de cierto sobre el cementerio de los elefantes? En este delicioso libro, el prestigioso zoólogo Desmond Morris escribe sobre los animales salvajes, muchos de los cuales pertenecen a especies a punto de extinguirse. Morris nos cuenta qué comen, cómo duermen, cómo cuidan a sus cachorros, por qué luchan y cómo sobreviven en el mundo de hoy. Tras un atento estudio de su ambiente natural, el autor nos descubrirá que el mundo de los animales esconde innumerables sorpresas y que siempre hay algo nuevo que aprender para apreciar y entender mejor su maravilloso mundo.
This wonderful recollection begins with a shy young boy who, while everyone else was dancing on the streets, celebrated the World War II Allied victory by observing a colony of rooks. After studying the behavioral habits of the 10-spined stickleback at Oxford, Desmond Morris became curator of mammals at London Zoo and quickly became a familiar figure in homes all over Britain as presenter of Zootime , delighting millions of tea-time viewers with a daring attempt to pick up a deadly scorpion by its tail or a tumble off the back of an elephant. As curator of mammals at the zoo, life was as bizarre behind the cameras as in front of them, not least when a whale turned up in the Thames River or when a pair of ferocious bears escaped and caused havoc in a restroom. In 1967, Morris turned his attention to humans. Since then he has continued his work on human and animal species, written many other successful books, and has presented a number of television series. His travels have taken him to some 60 countries, from the cities of North America to the islands off the Mediterranean, Europe, the Pacific, and Africa. This account tells the story of many of these adventures, in fascinating and often hilarious detail.
Examining the gesture repertoire found in twenty-five countries, this study of conscious body language interprets the actions, postures, movements, and expressions of people engaged in conversation