recommended reading

• The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots Maxine Pepperberg. A collection of papers by the pioneer of cognitive ornithology, describing (in depth and with exceptional scientific rigor) the cognitive abilities of gray parrots. The methodology used is almost as interesting as the findings.
  
• The White Masai Corinne Hofmann. Even after reading the book I do not understand what it was about her Masai that induced her to leave behind everything she knew. Given the few insights available of this hard culture, the glimpses in this book are hard won. Not to mention the descriptions of general logistical problems that commonly arise all over Africa (and probably many other third world countries).
• The Places In Between Rory Stewart. This man must be crazy, but that's probably what got him through the Afghan winter in a precarious time...
• Behind the Wall: A Journey Through China Colin Thubron. Still savoring this one, and reading slowly. At once poetic, and without attempts to sugarcoat, this travel writer made sure to understand both the language and history before setting out to understand the people. An amazing travel story.