Dr. Irene Pepperberg to Sign Copies of 'Alex & Me' at Borders in LaGrange Nov. 12
Borders Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Borders Group Inc.)
ANN ARBOR, MI UNITED STATES
Book chronicles noted scientist's groundbreaking animal language research and her relationship with her famous subject, a parrot named Alex
CHICAGO, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ --
Who: Dr. Irene Pepperberg is an associate research professor at Brandeis
University in Massachusetts, and teaches animal cognition at Harvard
University. She is head of the Alex Foundation and author of "The Alex
Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots." Her work has
been featured in major newspapers and magazines in the United States and
Europe, as well as on television, including the now famous interview of Alex
by Alan Alda on "Scientific American Frontiers."
What: Dr. Irene Pepperberg will read from and sign her "New York Times"
bestselling book, "Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden
World of Animal Intelligence - and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process."
When: Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
Where: Borders
1 N. LaGrange Road
LaGrange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9660
Why: Readers and animal lovers won't want to miss this opportunity to
hear Dr. Pepperberg discuss her astonishing scientific research and her unique
relationship with her subject, an African grey parrot who gained worldwide
fame for his remarkable language skills.
Of the 8 million parrots in the United States, none was more famous than
Alex, the African grey who spent 30 years in the loving care of Dr. Pepperberg
until his untimely death in September 2007. The public outpouring of grief
over his loss was enormous - and global. Alex had become famous for his
intelligence, learning over 100 words and many concepts, and even sounding out
words and making logical leaps. But the full story of his relationship with
Irene was a story of emotional ties - parrots mate for life, developing unique
duets with their partners. In addition, parrots exhibit affection and
jealousy, and crave attention -- Alex did all this with Irene. His last words
to her were "I love you, too. You'll be in tomorrow?" He passed away that
night.
"Alex & Me" is a story of adventure for both Irene and Alex. She was 28
when she bought Alex in a pet shop -- a one-year-old parrot whose future was
uncertain. They grew through their adulthoods together, as Irene's laboratory
was moved from university to university, while she struggled to force the
scientific world to take a "bird brain" seriously. At age eight, Alex was
coining new terms: he called an apple a "banerry" (combining cherry-red with
banana, the fruit he knew best). At MIT, he loved to play games in the Media
Lab, and he sulked when Irene didn't pay attention to him. He also showered
her with attention and affection: if she grew agitated, he would tell her to
"calm down."
Media: Media interested in attending this event should contact Kristen
Sohacki at (708) 860-7650 or ksohack1@bordersgroupinc.com.
Media interested in interviewing or learning more about Dr. Pepperberg
should contact Gretchen Crary at (212) 207-7582 or
gretchen.crary@harpercollins.com.
