The Philosopher and the Wolf: Lessons from the Wild on Love, Death, and Happiness - Softcover

Not everyone can blend wildlife lore and Wittgenstein in an entertaining manner, but Rowlands has no trouble. Delightful and eye-opening.--Connie Ogle

A snarly misanthrope, Rowlands recovered his own humanity by loving a noble beast and (with a little help from Aristotle, Descartes, and Jack Daniel's) learning to howl at the moon.

This moving account will be recognized as a seminal work of philosophy that forces us to re-evaluate our view of the human animal.--John Gray, author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

One of the most intense reading experiences of my life. It is a profound and beautiful book.--Jeffrey Masson, author of When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals

Mark Rowlands was a young philosophy professor, rootless andsearching for life’s greater meaning. Shortly after arriving at theUniversity of Alabama, he noticed a classified ad in the localpaper advertising wolf cubs for sale, and decided he had to investigate, if only out of curiosity. It was love at first sight, and thebond that grew between philosopher and wolf reaffirms for us theincredible relationships that exist between man and animal.

When Mark welcomed his new companion, Brenin, into hishome, but more than just an exotic pet, Brenin exerted an immense influence on Rowlands both as a person, and, strangelyenough, as a philosopher, leading him to reevaluate his attitudetoward love, happiness, nature, death, and the true meaning ofcompanionship.