“As concepts of the canine go, Franklin’s is notably audacious. And among a plethora of books on breeding, disciplining, loving, and lamenting the loss of man’s best friend, this thoughtful discourse is a best of breed.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter Franklin (The Molecules of the Mind) offers an original and interesting blend of memoir and science, a kind of scientific Marley & Mepenned by the likes of Stephen Hawking. After Franklin’s wife persuaded him to acquire a standard poodle, which they named Charlie, his curiosity about dogs was triggered, launching him on a ten-year research project into the origins of the modern canine-human bond. He was surprised to discover that while much is known about the origins of others species, the dog’s roots are elusive. With Charlie as his guide, Franklin slowly uncovered the mysteries of the human-animal bond and learned a thing or two about himself along the way. VERDICT Franklin does an exceptional job of telling the story of canine evolution, and his book will appeal to both students of animal behavior and dog lovers. Readers will see their own dog’s behaviors mirrored in the activities of Charlie and his canine ancestors.”
“The result of [the author’s] obsession with discovering the root of the human-dog relationship is this impossible-to-put-down book, a peregrination through the personal, the historical, the ethological, anthropological, and ecological as Franklin discovers how dogs and humans changed each other in the thousands of years they’ve been together. A true gem.”
“Smart and soulful and absolutely engaging, The Wolf in the Parlor is a sort of essay/inquiry that elegantly decodes the marvelous, mysterious connection between people and dogs.”
“The Wolf in the Parlor is the ultimate book about dogs. It is part science, part ?history, part personal journey — and all magically written. If you have ever wondered why a dog is important in your life, this brilliant book is for you.”
“A welcome–and surprising–view into the canine soul from somebody who clearly understands and loves dogs.”
“Should delight dog-lovers and science buffs alike”
“Read this book and it will change the way you see dogs, and people.Jon Franklin, the dean of science writers, is doing more than reporting here, he is making an argument, a surprising and learned one, about the evolution of modern society. It is a story of deep co-dependence, a theory informed by science, by love, and by a ripening personal appreciation of mutual need. And, oh yes, it may make you want to get a standard poodle”