Lots to read, but I love it

books:


	• Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity (Stonewall Inn Editions) Bruce Bagemihl Stonewall Inn Editions, 2000 - 768 pages average customer review:based on 26 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Fascinating reference book

This book is an encyclopedia of animal sexual behavior. It explains the types of behavior animals exhibit and variations in it. The text describes how variants of sexual behavior are not necessarily about reproduction but about how conspecific individuals communicate, bond, and survive. (However, there are animals, most notably birds who will pair off and raise an egg, regardless of its provenance.) It does describe the standard breeding and baby-raising behaviors, too.

Anyone interested in animals, zoology, animal behavior, and other life sciences should read it.

People who are gay or interested in gay issues or just informed in general and have often heard the arguments that it is "unnatural" will derive a good deal of benefit from the book as well.

People who think homosexuality is "unnatural" might want to pick the book up, too. If you are worried that you are transgressing by reading about animals, realize that there are no religious edicts from any deity governing the behavior of animals or our reading about them.

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Lots to read, but I love it

Now I finally have a book and physical proof I can show both my boyfriend and parents when they say that homosexuality isn't natural. It made my father go quiet for a moment when I did in fact pull out the book (during one of our many debates) and let him read the title/look through it. He's slowly coming out of his homophobe shell, and with books like these it helps a lot :)

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Biological Exuberance

A well-supported and engagingly written study of homosexual behavior in animals, particularly mammals and birds. The book discusses the behavior of individual species, ways in which behavior can be studied, the implications for evolutionary theory and for the study of corresponding behaviors in humans, the place of reproduction in the natural world, and more.

I read natural history and nature writing voraciously and had no idea that these behaviors were so prevalent, which seems like an argument in itself for Bagemihl's criticism of zoologists' ignoring them. As he points out, all mating behaviors are hard to observe (it was amazing to learn that at the time the book was written Black-Headed Grosbeaks had only once been observed mating; they are a common bird that breeds in North America). At times, it seems to me that Bagemihl's analysis overinterprets, assuming that all incidences of mounting, for example, are sexual. Still, enough of his evidence appears irreproachable to make the book a real eye-opener.

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A MUST READ

A must read for anyone who seeks knowledge beyond the superficial animal kingdom we see on tv. The intrinsic explanations of animal behavior explained in this book are so well documented, it is truly amazing. The insight on sexual behavior demonstrates how censored a lot of information is on tv.

Wow!

Have youever had a conversation with someone who vehemently opposes homosexuality, and uses as one of their arguments that "it isn't natural"? If, as is frequently the case, "not natural" is defined as "animals don't do it", this book pretty thoroughly debunks that claim. The first 250 pages of this book is a pretty general overview of the subject, detailing some of the historical difficulties in finding good research on the subject due to the biases and/or disinterest of researchers. The second half (roughly) of the book is a very successful attempt to alleviate that problem for future researchers; it gives detailed, specific descriptions of homosexual (as well as non-reproductive heterosexual) behavior in dozens of species. For the casual reader, this section may get somewhat repetitive and boring after a while; if so, skimming it for a general feel for the subject may be sufficient if one feels disinclined to read all the way through it. But I found it fascinating that not only does homosexual activity occur in numerous mammal and bird species in roughly similar proportions to its incidence in humans, but in other species, it is actually the primary method of sexual expression! Don't believe me? Read this book, then argue with the research, if you can.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A Publishers Weekly Best Book
One of the New York Public Library's "25 Books to Remember" for 1999

Homosexuality in its myriad forms has been scientifically documented in more than 450 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and other animals worldwide. Biological Exuberance is the first comprehensive account of the subject, bringing together accurate, accessible, and nonsensationalized information. Drawing upon a rich body of zoological research spanning more than two centuries, Bruce Bagemihl shows that animals engage in all types of nonreproductive sexual behavior. Sexual and gender expression in the animal world displays exuberant variety, including same-sex courtship, pair-bonding, sex, and co-parenting?even instances of lifelong homosexual bonding in species that do not have lifelong heterosexual bonding.

Part 1, "A Polysexual, Polygendered World," begins with a survey of homosexuality, transgender, and nonreproductive heterosexuality in animals and then delves into the broader implications of these findings, including a valuable perspective on human diversity. Bagemihl also examines the hidden assumptions behind the way biologists look at natural systems and suggests a fresh perspective based on the synthesis of contemporary scientific insights with traditional knowledge from indigenous cultures.

Part 2, "A Wondrous Bestiary," profiles more than 190 species in which scientific observers have noted homosexual or transgender behavior. Each profile is a verbal and visual "snapshot" of one or more closely related bird or mammal species, containing all the documentation required to support the author's often controversial conclusions.

Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, filled with fascinating facts and astonishing descriptions of animal behavior, Biological Exuberance is a landmark book that will change forever how we look at nature.

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