Editorial Review
Temple Grandin's
Animals in Translation speaks in the clear voice of a woman who emerged from the other side of autism, bringing with her an extraordinary message about how animals think and feel.
Temple's professional training as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism have given her a perspective like that of no other expert in the field. Standing at the intersection of autism and animals, she offers unparalleled observations and groundbreaking ideas about both.
Autistic people can often think the way animals think -- in fact, Grandin and co-author Catherine Johnson see autism as a kind of way station on the road from animals to humans -- putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate "animal talk." Temple is a faithful guide into their world, exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and, yes, even animal genius. Not only are animals much smarter than anyone ever imagined, in some cases animals are out-and-out brilliant.
The sweep of Animals in Translation is immense, merging an animal scientist's thirty years of study with her keen perceptions as a person with autism -- Temple sees what others cannot.
Among its provocative ideas, the book:
- argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness -- and that animals do have consciousness
- applies the autism theory of "hyper-specificity" to animals, showing that animals and autistic people are so sensitive to detail that they "can't see the forest for the trees" -- a talent as well as a "deficit"
- explores the "interpreter" in the normal human brain that filters out detail, leaving people blind to much of the reality that surrounds them -- a reality animals and autistic people see, sometimes all too clearly
- explains how animals have "superhuman" skills: animals have animal genius
- compares animals to autistic savants, declaring that animals may in fact be autistic savants, with special forms of genius that normal people do not possess and sometimes cannot even see
- examines how humans and animals use their emotions to think, to decide, and even to predict the future
- reveals the remarkable abilities of handicapped people and animals
- maintains that the single worst thing you can do to an animal is to make it feel afraid
Temple Grandin is like no other author on the subject of animals because of her training and because of her autism: understanding animals is in her blood and in her bones.
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Customer Reviews
A Page-Turner... on Science! 
2008-04-23
Temple Grandin, PhD, has done something extraordinary: combined her experiences as an animal scientist and an autistic person to give us new insights into the amazing inner world of animals. In her irresistably fun, anecdotal style, Grandin describes the most recent research on the senses, the brain, and emotions, ultimately explaining our own feelings and actions as well as those of animals. Entertainment Weekly says it best: "At once hilarious, fascinating, and just plain weird, Animals is one of those rare books that elicit a `wow' on almost every page."
Doni Tamblyn is author of Laugh and Learn: 95 Ways to Use Humor for More Effective Teaching and Training and The Big Book of Humorous Training Games (Big Book of Business Games Series)
It's a must... 2008-04-21
Fantastic read! Have recommended to everyone since devouring this book! After hearing Grandin deliver a very interesting lecture at my university I decided to buy her book and check it out. I couldn't put it down! The book is not only an asset to anyone wanting to work with animals but also gives great insight into one's own mind and actions. I bought 2 other copies for friends in animal training and handling the same week! It should be a requirement for anyone working hands on with animals because her methods make sense, are simple to execute, and really do work. From the position of someone who has worked with wild, captive, and domestic animals, I feel Grandin's knowledge will greatly enhance the success of my career.
Even if you have no intention of working with animals personally, this book is fun, light-hearted, and plainly explained in lay-man's terms. Grandin not only made her book scientifically accurate, but fresh and enjoyable. No wonder it's on the National Best Sellers List! Once you've read her book, you can't help but try to see more detail in everyday life. Though I don't have kids myself, the understanding of early brain development in how a child thinks and visualizes the world as described by Grandin (especially one with autism) also seems very useful for parents and teachers.
'Dogs make us human' 
2008-04-11
For those who don't have the time to commune with animals, "Animals in Translation" provides plenty of helpful insights. Though, when she's not writing books, Temple Grandin is a superstar in the world of slaughterhouse design, so while reading I couldn't keep lines from Monty Python's "Architects Sketch" from nagging my conscience.
Insight into both animals and the author 2008-04-06
Temple Grandin is fascinating. She is clearly brilliant, and clearly very different from everyone else.
Grandin purports to understand animal behavior well because her own autistic thought processes are similar in some ways to the thought processes of various animals. Through a range of examples and anecdotes, Grandin makes very good arguments for her interpretations of animals' motives for various behaviors.
Grandin has improved conditions for farm animals by creating pragmatic strategies for farming, based on observation and insight.
I finished the book convinced that she is brilliant and has done a great deal of good. I waver on what role her autism plays in her effectiveness. I understand her argument, but it could be that she's been effective because she's so smart, so creative, such a keen observer and loves animals so much.
As a sidelight, I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy Richard Feynman's memoirs. Again, informal writing by a brilliant scientist with tremendous observational skill.
A must read for educators and parents 2008-02-26
This book, as well as Temple Grandin's earlier books, provide an incredible wealth of information and insight. It should be required reading for all educators! Extraordinarily valuable.
For more than just animal lovers.... 2008-02-08
Temple Grandin's
Animals in Translation speaks in the clear voice of a woman who emerged from the other side of autism, bringing with her an extraordinary message about how animals think and feel.
Temple's professional training as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism have given her a perspective like that of no other expert in the field. Standing at the intersection of autism and animals, she offers unparalleled observations and groundbreaking ideas about both.
Autistic people can often think the way animals think -- in fact, Grandin and co-author Catherine Johnson see autism as a kind of way station on the road from animals to humans -- putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate "animal talk." Temple is a faithful guide into their world, exploring animal pain, fear, aggression, love, friendship, communication, learning, and, yes, even animal genius. Not only are animals much smarter than anyone ever imagined, in some cases animals are out-and-out brilliant.
The sweep of Animals in Translation is immense, merging an animal scientist's thirty years of study with her keen perceptions as a person with autism -- Temple sees what others cannot.
Among its provocative ideas, the book:
- argues that language is not a requirement for consciousness -- and that animals do have consciousness
- applies the autism theory of "hyper-specificity" to animals, showing that animals and autistic people are so sensitive to detail that they "can't see the forest for the trees" -- a talent as well as a "deficit"
- explores the "interpreter" in the normal human brain that filters out detail, leaving people blind to much of the reality that surrounds them -- a reality animals and autistic people see, sometimes all too clearly
- explains how animals have "superhuman" skills: animals have animal genius
- compares animals to autistic savants, declaring that animals may in fact be autistic savants, with special forms of genius that normal people do not possess and sometimes cannot even see
- examines how humans and animals use their emotions to think, to decide, and even to predict the future
- reveals the remarkable abilities of handicapped people and animals
- maintains that the single worst thing you can do to an animal is to make it feel afraid
Temple Grandin is like no other author on the subject of animals because of her training and because of her autism: understanding animals is in her blood and in her bones.
Interesting and thought provoking book; very readable 2008-01-12
Grandin and Johnson's personal and accessible writing style makes this book the equivalent of sitting down with Grandin for a cup of coffee as she explains some of her thoughts on parallels between animal perception and thinking and autism. This is a personal view, not an academic view, but it is the personal view of someone who is well informed on both topics. Grandin is herself autistic and an animal lover who has been working with animals for entire life. She explains how she comes to those views and offers academic evidence where relevant. I saw broader applications for a number of the points that she makes, especially the tendency of non-autistic people to perceive abstract representations of reality rather than the details that make up reality. I received this book as a present from an evolutionary biologist and have in turn recommended it to others; I look forward to reading more from this author.
she's not a "typical human" 2007-12-15
I have a loaned out print copy of this, but mostly have experience with the audio version. (Someone who has heard her says that it may be a blessing that she is not reading this herself.)
But I'm finding myself thinking "Temple Grandin says" two or three times a day. When what I've done right with my dogs works. When I wonder why ritalin works with ADHD, how anti-anxiety drugs work. When I consider how a friend interacts with her wolf hybrids--Grandin thinks that wolves socialized us as much as we created domestic dogs. When I have have a moment of, what is it, inattentional blindness--where I can't see what I'm not expecting. And when I realize why the horse I had as a kid was such a disaster for us--broken bones for both my parents, for instance.
I'd class it as a book to browse, not read straight through. Even though I was delighted to have it running every time I got in the car. Twice.
enlightening 2007-12-02
Was very taken with this book. A whole new world of understanding opened up for a layperson like me. So much more understanding of animals. Lent it to my own vet - people that work with animals probably had that knowledge but for me it was an eye opener and I tried to find everything else Temple had written. Very grateful to have read it.
Brilliant! 2007-11-22
Anyone who lives with animals needs this book. Anyone involved with special needs children needs this book. Anyone with a curious bone needs this book. I learned more about autism and animal behavior in the first 20 pages than I did in 25 years of teaching special ed and 46 years with horses and other critters. Temple Grandin has a tremendous talent for making the obscure clear as a bell. Her theories are easily tested at home with fascinating results. Love it!
