Short Synopsis
What is it like to be a dog? A bat? Or a dolphin? To find out, neuroscientist Gregory Berns and his team began with a radical step: they taught dogs to go into an MRI scanner—completely awake.

Full Synopsis
What is it like to be a dog? A bat? Or a dolphin? To find out, neuroscientist Gregory Berns and his team began with a radical step: they taught dogs to go into an MRI scanner—completely awake. They discovered what makes dogs individuals with varying capacities for self-control, different value systems, and a complex understanding of human speech. And dogs were just the beginning. In What It's Like to Be a Dog, Berns explores the fascinating inner lives of wild animals from dolphins and sea lions to the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Much as Silent Spring transformed how we thought about the environment, so What It's Like to Be a Dog will fundamentally reshape how we think about—and treat—animals. Groundbreaking and deeply humane, it is essential listening for animal lovers of all stripes.

"An impressive overview of modern neurology and the still-unanswered issues raised by our treatment of our fellow living creatures." ---Kirkus

"It's not necessary to be a dog lover to enjoy this blend of compelling storytelling and clearly explained neuroscience." ---Library Journal

"What It's Like to Be a Dog is a delightful, illuminating look at the minds and lives of our fellow creatures." ---Susan Casey, author of Voices in the Ocean

"Dog lovers and neuroscientists should both read this important book." ---Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation

"Joe Hempel does a great job with this book. . . . He’s able to bring an air of knowledge and understanding to the words of these authors." ---Brian's Book Blog