Pleasurable Kingdom

"Fascinating and often moving, this book emphasizes that animals—like us—truly have personalities, minds and emotions." —Jane Goodall The recognition of animal pain and stress, once controversial, is now acknowledged by legislation in many countries, but there is no formal recognition of animals' ability to feel pleasure. Pleasurable Kingdom is the first book for lay-readers to present new evidence that animals—like humans—enjoy themselves. It debunks the popular perception that life for most is a continuous, grim struggle for survival and the avoidance of pain. Instead it suggests that creatures from birds to baboons feel good thanks to play, sex, touch, food, anticipation, comfort, aesthetics, and more. Combining rigorous evidence, elegant argument and amusing anecdotes, leading animal behavior researcher Jonathan Balcombe proposes that the possibility of positive feelings in creatures other than humans has important ethical ramifications for both science and society. "This well-reasoned, engaging book argues that critters share our capacities for humor, empathy and aesthetic pleasure." —People "His arguments may change your opinion of the next lobster steaming on your plate." —Wired