Gorillas & Chimpanzees

"Gorillas & Chimpanzees" by R. L. Garner is a late 19th-century exploration of great apes, mainly gorillas and chimpanzees, that aims to show their physical, mental, and social lives as seen by the author during his studies. Garner seeks to connect what science knows with what the public thinks, pointing out how important and complex these animals are. The book starts by explaining why Garner wanted to study these primates and how he did it. He talks about his deep research into their habits and communication, highlighting how similar humans and apes are, especially in their bones. Through stories and watching them up close, he prepares to deeply explore the lives of gorillas and chimpanzees, suggesting the special things he learned while living with them in the African jungle. Garner's close comparisons between humans and apes lay the basis for a complete investigation of both species' traits throughout the entire book.