Territorial Imperative

In a lifetime of reading only a few books have challenged, enlightened and stirred up my brain cells as effectively as Robert Ardrey's The Territorial Imperative.The Territorial Imperative: A Personal Inquiry into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations (Kodansha Globe) With skill and humor Ardrey leads us through terrain which is very serious indeed: the orgins of human behavior. If we ignore or are unaware of our behavioral links to the animal kingdom we miss one of the more profound understandings of what it means to be human. Through his observation of animals the author demonstrates the three absolute needs required, not only by animals and their communities, but required as well by us as individuals and as community members. The three are identity, stimulation and secuity. For me,Ardrey's case is persuasive and I shall always consider this work a classic. I hope many others will as well.

Ardrey's book was one of the first to really popularize concepts of animal territoriality. As such, he does an excellent job, in fact, possibly too good. For a time, after the publication of this very popular scientific book, concepts of territoriality became something of a scientific and even nonscientific rage. This is a little unfortunate, because in mass popularization, something is usually lost. Nevertheless, there can be no question that animal territories are important throughout nature. Most of us have no problem with identifying territoriality in, let's say, a marsh wren as it sings out its warning and fights off intruders. It is sometimes a little more difficult to see territorial impulses in oneself, but they are surely there. All of us require a certain personal space and, at larger levels, we require the space of a home, state and a country. Many wars are precisely over territory. Still difficult to recognize, is the territoriality of flock and herd animals but, even in these situations, territory is everything. A bird in a flock requires personal space. If another bird intrudes on it, he will be pecked and, if he doesn't get out of the way, killed. It starts as early as the nest or den when infant animals pound on one another to assure themselves more space and more food. Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Conquest of Mexico

For those people who like to read and do a lot of reading, this is one of those books that you find quite by accident and wonder why you never read it in high school or college. The overall argument of the book lends profound insight into the study of animal behavior (ethology i believe) and answered so many questions I had about my personal daily observations. This book also attempts to make a link between animal behavior and human behavior. Those who believe that humans are not animals, but higher than animals may want to skip this title if you don't have the courage. Keep in mind however that it was Carl Sagan who called for an alliance between religion and science and Pope John Paul II who said "Science can purify religion from error and superstition; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish...Such bridging ministries must be nurtured and encouraged." Lastly, it's worth would be justified merely by the bibliography of books it provides throughout its pages. No doubt, this is a dying field of science (mostly thanks to religion's inability to adapt to the facts) in a country that is mentally decaying itself. That should not, however, diminish the importance of ardrey's work and his wonderful writing style. 5 stars, no doubt. "If we can't think for ourselves, if we're unwilling to question authority, then we're just putty in the hands of those in power. But if they citizens are educated and form their own opinions, then those in power work for us." -Carl Sagan -B

I spent many a long hour reading philosophy on the nature of property, possession and place. Also, I have spent many an hour reading the history and politics of nations for their respective histories of territorial aspirations. The mystery and problems of the human connection to particular places still eluded me. I picked up this book at a flea market and began reading. I learned more and gained more insight into the nature of Nature's territorial inhabitants than all my previous reading. Through carefully observed case studies of animals, conservative conclusions are drawn. Light on theory, and heavy on examples of particular territorial behaviours of our fellow creatures, `The Territorial Imperative' is must read for any person interested in the way of Nature and ourselves.

When I first read this book after being graduated from Boston University as a science major, I was stunned by the depth and perception of observation by the author. It, the book, has made a profound impact on my life and scientific beliefs.