Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Next of Kin

By: Roger Fouts, Stephen Tukel Mills, Jane Goodall - introduction/notes
Narrated by: Roger Fouts
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.96

Buy for $11.96

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Roger Fouts fulfilled humankind's age-old dream of talking to animals by pioneering communication with chimpanzees through sign language. Now, in Next of Kin, Fouts tells the dramatic story of his odyssey from novice researcher to celebrity scientist and caretaker of a family of chimpanzees, to his impassioned awakening as a crusader for the rights of animals.

At the heart of this captivating audiobook is Fouts's magical 30-year friendship with Washoe, the chimpanzee he met when she jumped into his arms. We follow Washoe as she grows from a mischievous baby chimp fresh out of the NASA space program into the matriarch of a clan of chimpanzees. Living and conversing with these sensitive creatures has given Fouts a profound appreciation of how much we share with our closest biological relatives, and what they can teach us about ourselves.

This stirring tale of friendship, courage, and compassion will change forever the way we view our biological - and spiritual - Next of Kin.

©1997 Roger Fouts (P)1997 Simon & Schuster
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"A remarkable personal saga . . . and a searingly honest account of just what has happened, arid is all too often still happening, to these marvelously intelligent creatures." (Cleveland Amory)

What listeners say about Next of Kin

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    48
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    37
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compassion in Action

I was mesmerized, horrified, uplifted, transformed by this important story of understanding and compassion. I, too, was taught that humans are unique because they have conscience and compassion. So, so wrong. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn the truth. The more I learn, the more I see that we humans are, indeed, unique; but not for attributes that render us "superior." Rather, we are unique among animals in our penchant for combining innate animal aggression with uniquely human narcissism to inflict suffering on other creatures, including members of our own species, far beyond anything seen in nature. This story hardens my resolve to cultivate compassion with the time I have left.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Even Better Than Reading it Alone

Having Roger Fouts' inflection makes this book even more real. The first time I read this book I was 16, the second time 18. This is the first time I've listened, and it did not disappoint. Roger Fouts' lays out the story in both an emotional and heartfelt manner, You can hear in his voice that he was traveling back to those moments for a brief period. Whether it was a horrific situation or a joyful moment, Roger takes us back to when it happened and how it happened. This book has always been a motivating factor in how I view the world and treat every living thing. Thank you Roger!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascination, Heartbreaking, Inspirational

This book took me completely by surprise. It was wonderfully narrated and beautifully written. The power of Roger’s words will bring you to your knees in both triumph and tragedy. This is a must listen!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly amazing story

What made the experience of listening to Next of Kin the most enjoyable?

This is one of the most amazing stories that I've come across. The fact that it is narrated by the author is a plus, as at times you can actually hear true emotion in his voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Next of Kin?

The most memorable moment to me was easily a moment involving Washoe and one of the aides who had just returned from having a miscarriage. The exchange between the two actually brought tears to my eyes. It was truly amazing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Reshapes thinking

Roger Fouts is able to share the deep profound relationships he has experienced with our ape cousins

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

deeply moving story

This is my favorite book. It reads like a novel. a love story.

"It was Washoe who taught me that human is only an adjective that describes being. The essence of who I am is not my humanness, but my beingness" Roger Fouts, Next of Kin

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much well presented information

This is an amazing and fascinating description of the behaviors of our “next of kin “ and how badly we behave toward them. I learned so much about these wonderful animals - thank you!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!