📖 Overview
Barbara J. King is an emerita professor of anthropology at the College of William and Mary and a prominent science writer focusing on animal cognition, emotion, and welfare. Her work explores the emotional and social lives of animals, including grief and mourning behaviors across species.
King has authored several influential books including "How Animals Grieve" and "Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat." Her writing frequently appears in major publications such as Scientific American, NPR's 13.7 Cosmos & Culture blog, and The Atlantic.
Through her research and writing, King examines how animals think and feel, challenging traditional boundaries between human and animal consciousness. Her work combines scientific rigor with accessible storytelling, drawing from both field research and contemporary animal behavior studies.
King advocates for animal welfare through her scholarship and public engagement, addressing topics ranging from factory farming to zoo environments. She holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Oklahoma and has conducted fieldwork studying primate behavior in various locations.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise King's ability to blend scientific research with engaging narratives about animal cognition and emotion. Many note how she presents complex topics about animal consciousness in clear, relatable ways. On Goodreads, readers highlight her use of specific case studies and real-world examples to illustrate animal grief and intelligence.
Readers appreciate:
- Balance of academic rigor with accessible writing
- Personal anecdotes alongside research data
- Clear explanations of scientific concepts
- Focus on ethical treatment of animals without preaching
Common criticisms:
- Some sections repeat similar points
- More detail wanted on certain species
- Occasional anthropomorphizing of animal behavior
- Some readers find the tone too academic
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: "How Animals Grieve" - 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- Amazon: "Personalities on the Plate" - 4.5/5 (120+ reviews)
- NPR book reviews consistently rate her work 4/5 or higher
Several readers note King's work changed their perspective on animal consciousness and led them to reconsider their views on animal welfare.
📚 Books by Barbara King
Evolving God: A Provocative View on the Origins of Religion (2007)
Examines the evolutionary roots of religious behavior by studying evidence from primates and early human societies.
Being With Animals: Why We Need Animals in Our Lives (2010) Explores the scientific and anthropological evidence for human-animal bonds across cultures and time periods.
How Animals Grieve (2013) Documents cases of animal grief and mourning across various species through scientific observation and field research.
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat (2017) Analyzes the cognitive abilities and emotional lives of animals commonly used for food production.
Animals' Best Friends: Putting Compassion to Work for Animals in Captivity and in the Wild (2021) Examines human relationships with animals in various contexts including zoos, laboratories, and wildlife conservation.
Being With Animals: Why We Need Animals in Our Lives (2010) Explores the scientific and anthropological evidence for human-animal bonds across cultures and time periods.
How Animals Grieve (2013) Documents cases of animal grief and mourning across various species through scientific observation and field research.
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat (2017) Analyzes the cognitive abilities and emotional lives of animals commonly used for food production.
Animals' Best Friends: Putting Compassion to Work for Animals in Captivity and in the Wild (2021) Examines human relationships with animals in various contexts including zoos, laboratories, and wildlife conservation.
👥 Similar authors
Frans de Waal studies primate behavior and writes about animal emotions, consciousness, and social bonds. His work exploring animal intelligence and culture aligns with King's focus on animal cognition and cross-species connections.
Marc Bekoff researches animal behavior and ethics, examining animal emotions and morality through scientific observation. His books explore human-animal relationships and advocate for animal welfare based on biological and evolutionary evidence.
Carl Safina writes about animal consciousness and the complexities of wild animal societies based on field research. His work documents animal families and social structures while examining questions of animal cognition.
Temple Grandin combines her experience in animal science with insights into how animals perceive their environment. She writes about animal behavior from both scientific and practical perspectives, focusing on animal welfare and human-animal interactions.
Jeffrey Masson examines animal emotions and family bonds through a combination of research and observation. His books investigate the emotional lives of animals and challenge assumptions about animal consciousness.
Marc Bekoff researches animal behavior and ethics, examining animal emotions and morality through scientific observation. His books explore human-animal relationships and advocate for animal welfare based on biological and evolutionary evidence.
Carl Safina writes about animal consciousness and the complexities of wild animal societies based on field research. His work documents animal families and social structures while examining questions of animal cognition.
Temple Grandin combines her experience in animal science with insights into how animals perceive their environment. She writes about animal behavior from both scientific and practical perspectives, focusing on animal welfare and human-animal interactions.
Jeffrey Masson examines animal emotions and family bonds through a combination of research and observation. His books investigate the emotional lives of animals and challenge assumptions about animal consciousness.