This fascinating book charts the relationship between Mark Rowlands, a rootless philosopher, and Brenin, his extraordinarily well-travelled wolf. More than just an exotic pet, Brenin exerted an immense influence on Rowlands as both a person, and, strangely enough, as a philosopher, leading him to re-evaluate his attitude to love, happiness, nature and death. By turns funny (what do you do when your wolf eats your air-conditioning unit?) and poignant, this life-affirming book will make you reappraise what it means to be human.
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Review
'This year's most original and instructive work of popular philosophy ... a remarkable portrait of the bond that can exist between a human being and a beast ... [Rowlands is ] a rare contemporary philosopher who is able to learn from everything he experiences in life, not just books and academic journals. That is what makes The Philosopher and the Wolf so refreshing' Financial Times 'An extraordinary memoir' Daily Mail 'A powerfully subversive critique of the unexamined assumption that shape the way most philosophers - along with most people - think about animals and themselves' Literary Review 'Rowland's memoir is life-affirming, engrossing, thoughtful and moving ... The Philosopher and the Wolf could become a philosophical cult classic' TLS 'Nothing short of human existence, survival and our relationship to all other creatures is examined here and it's all written in a beautifully elegiac way. The heart-strings will be pulled and the mind stimulated' --City AM
About the Author
MARK ROWLANDS is currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Miami. See also www.rowlands.philospot.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book as a dog lover, being fascinated by the relationship between man and animals, and found this a truly delightful, inspiring, moving and most of all thoughtful read. I couldn't put this book down and suprisingly found it a more enjoyable read than most of the other, lighter, books I have bought this year. Buy it and prepare to reflect more deeply on the important questions in life, and what makes us who we are.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Jason Mills
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a book with three entwined strands. There is the story of Brenin, the author's wolf: his life and behaviour, and his impact on Rowlands' own life. There are philosophical discussions that spin off from anecdotes about the wolf. And, implicit in both, there is the journey, the pathology, of the misanthropic, solitary man who is telling us all this.
The writing is thoroughly engaging: often humorous, always (so far as one can judge) honest and diligent. Rowlands, philosopher that he is, examines his assumptions as he goes, questions his own interpretations of events even as he presents them. The philosophical excursions are not technical or ground-breaking: this is a work for a general audience, not one intended to advance his own field; but nor are they new-age bubblegum. The links between those discussions and the lupine anecdotes from which they arise are genuine and clear, not contrived as they easily could have been. This makes for a satisfyingly rounded book.
Rowlands does not hide his own failings as a human being (though he would question what could be meant by 'success'), and so we see not only how much he adjusts his life to accommodate his furry companion, but also how dependent he in turn, alcoholic and otherwise alone, becomes on the love of his 'pack-brother'. This is both moving and a little strange, as he is quick to acknowledge. The 'Lessons' he learns from the wolf (or from reflecting on the way it lives) have real substance. I felt he laboured his points towards the end, in discussing our relationship with time, but he makes a worthwhile case.
Withal, the most immediately thrilling parts are the tales of Brenin the wolf: Destroyer Of Furniture, long-distance runner, globe-trotting philosophy student. Rowlands' descriptions of the animal are filled with warmth and acute observation. I came away in no doubt as to the privilege it had been for this man to have the companionship of such a creature, even through a time of desperate illness, and of the boon the bond had been for both of them. And as it happens, the fact that it is these intense 'moments' that strike the reader most is vindication of Rowlands' thesis. A life-affirming read.
The writing is thoroughly engaging: often humorous, always (so far as one can judge) honest and diligent. Rowlands, philosopher that he is, examines his assumptions as he goes, questions his own interpretations of events even as he presents them. The philosophical excursions are not technical or ground-breaking: this is a work for a general audience, not one intended to advance his own field; but nor are they new-age bubblegum. The links between those discussions and the lupine anecdotes from which they arise are genuine and clear, not contrived as they easily could have been. This makes for a satisfyingly rounded book.
Rowlands does not hide his own failings as a human being (though he would question what could be meant by 'success'), and so we see not only how much he adjusts his life to accommodate his furry companion, but also how dependent he in turn, alcoholic and otherwise alone, becomes on the love of his 'pack-brother'. This is both moving and a little strange, as he is quick to acknowledge. The 'Lessons' he learns from the wolf (or from reflecting on the way it lives) have real substance. I felt he laboured his points towards the end, in discussing our relationship with time, but he makes a worthwhile case.
Withal, the most immediately thrilling parts are the tales of Brenin the wolf: Destroyer Of Furniture, long-distance runner, globe-trotting philosophy student. Rowlands' descriptions of the animal are filled with warmth and acute observation. I came away in no doubt as to the privilege it had been for this man to have the companionship of such a creature, even through a time of desperate illness, and of the boon the bond had been for both of them. And as it happens, the fact that it is these intense 'moments' that strike the reader most is vindication of Rowlands' thesis. A life-affirming read.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Caren Firth
Format:Paperback
This is an IMPORTANT book. It is principally a philosophical work that breaks the mould of much of the trend of Western thought while addressing the historical reasonings that have brought us to our present beliefs. Like Peter Singer, the author is led to a clear defence of animal rights, but for a completely different reason. He presents a compelling case for a duty of consideration towards other sentient beings, explained in parallel to, and as a result of, his experience of living with a wolf. This is a moving, interesting and inspiring tale of friendship. Mark Rowlands, in his dealings with Brenin, the wolf in question - who is recognised by his "owner" as having a personality and rights -, does something so very many dog owners omit to do: he gives him company, instinctively understanding that the animal is not psychologically equipped for solitude. This in turn allows the author to get to know the wolf, understand him and grow to love him. This is ultimately a passionate love story and an attempt to explain what is important in life. A remarkable lesson from the philosopher and the wolf.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising insights on life and death.
Easy and heartfelt thought-provoking insight into the philosophical world of our relationships with our animal friends,made me think and cry.
Published 18 days ago by joyous
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wolf
This is a gift and it was much appreciated. My nature and canine loving friend can relate to what the writer means. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M.A.M. Powell
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book
Very moving and inspirational, I always thought wolves were amazing creatures and this book has proven me right well done indeed
Published 4 months ago by Ellen Gaukrodger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book!
This book was great. I had to read it for part of my university course but would highly recommend it to anyone interested in animal rights and who wants a bit of a light-hearted... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Emma
4.0 out of 5 stars
The horror of being human
This story of the relationship between Dr of Philosophy Mark Rowlands, and a wolf he bought as a cub, whilst a very young lecturer in Arizona in the 1990s, is fascinating,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lady Fancifull
5.0 out of 5 stars
What is time Mr Wolf
The mythical, iconic narrative of the wolf and his relationship with man is a powerfull and compelling one which has conotations and expectations for many people, some of the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. mason
3.0 out of 5 stars
the Philospher and the Wolf
never received it, Why.
I am 80 years old and dont know much about computers.
Iv'e received other kindle books, so why not this one. Read more
I am 80 years old and dont know much about computers.
Iv'e received other kindle books, so why not this one. Read more
Published 8 months ago by jayjay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book of wild animal domestication
Arrived in time and was of reasonable condition. Some pages were scuffed and the cover was marked as if a clip had held it for a long time. It was ok to read though.
Published 9 months ago by P. Thacker
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
I am a great fan of books such as zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance, or the tao of pooh - this is within the same genre. It is beautiful and real and honest. Read more
Published 11 months ago by C. Ryan
2.0 out of 5 stars
A review for those interested in wolves.
I have given the product two stars mostly because most amazon 1 star reviews come across as bitter or totally inappropriate "arrived late" etc. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Neal Matheson
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