Alex & Me

After 30 years of language research using her pet parrot, Alex, as the principal subject, Dr. Pepperberg contends that her bird's level of comprehension equaled that of chimps and dolphins. Using a technique called "appropriate labeling," she came to believe that Alex's accomplishments proved he had cognitive function. Although her work and conclusions have not been widely accepted, she provides enough data from her records for listeners to evaluate her methods and decide for themselves. Narrator Julia Gibson chooses a diminutive voice as her rendition of the author speaking, maybe because she wants to emphasize the warm relationship of owner and pet more than the rigorous science of the story. Gibson makes no attempt to imitate Alex as he works on his lessons, missing a precious opportunity for characterization. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

September 8, 2008
Alex is the African gray parrot whose ability to master a vocabulary of more than 100 words and answer questions about the color, shape and number of objects—garnered wide notice during his life as well as obituaries in worldwide media after his death in September 2007. Pepperberg, who teaches animal cognition, has previously documented the results of her 30-year relationship with Alex in The Alex Studies
. While this book inevitably covers some of the same ground, it is a moving tribute that beautifully evokes “the struggles, the initial triumphs, the setbacks, the unexpected and often stunning achievements” during a groundbreaking scientific endeavor spent “uncovering cognitive abilities in Alex that no one believed were possible, and challenging science's deepest assumptions about the origin of human cognitive abilities.” Pepperberg deftly interweaves her own personal narrative—including her struggles to gain recognition for her research—with more intimate scenes of life with Alex than she was able to present in her earlier work, creating a story that scientists and laypeople can equally enjoy, if they can all keep from crying over Alex's untimely death.