The Emperor's Embrace - Fatherhood in evolution
By Jeffrey Masson.
"There is a popular belief that in almost all primates -- indeed, in almost all mammals -- the males are at best uninvolved fathers, contributing nothing to their offspring but their sperm; at worst, they supposedly kill their young. It is not surprising, then, that until now there has been no book written for a general audience about the role of fatherhood in the lives of animals." Jeffrey Masson states in the Introduction to "The Emperor's Embrace" and he has powered ahead to redress that balance. The "Emperor" of the title of this book, by the way, is none other than the Emperor Penguin . The truly remarkable thing about the Emperor Penguin is its highly developed paternal behaviour at one of the least hospitable spots on earth. The penguins huddle there, withstanding terrifying blizzards, many miles from their closest source of food, cradling their eggs on their feet without eating anything at all for up to four and a half months, while their mates are far away, nourishing themselves at sea.
Jeffrey Masson is a champion at relaying such stories and this book abounds with them. Engagingly written Masson devotes time to the little known Seahorse who is the only male animal in Nature that gives birth to it's young. And who are the worst fathers in Nature you may well ask? Humans, Lions and Bears are up there but you'll have to read the book to find out more.
For animal advocates, I have always thought that Masson offers us another paradigm to work out of. One that isn't as stiff and restrictive (and boringly self-righteous) as the Cartesian (I think therefore I am) model currently in vogue. This is where the "law' resonates from at this point in time. Aside from vivisectors, abusers and those with massive vested interests to benefit in keeping non-humans oppressed Masson offers us another way to view animals. The natural -- quirky, if you will -- way. To be able to look upon animals including the Homo Sapian, and say "What a fascinating creature" is indeed a lost art form. Masson's skill at evoking this sheer wonderment is unique among writers within the AR Movement. The crux of that wonderment also lies in the question "How real are the parallels between animals and humans?"
As I read through the pages of this book it is easy to forget which "father in nature" Masson is talking about. It could be any animal father protecting its young, any animal father showing pity, compassion, love for their partner, risking their lives for them. There is a poignant beauty that runs through this authors work that reminds me of a time when all was reasonably well with Humanity and Nature. A time before factory-farming and corruptible globalisation and corporate greed reared their ugly heads -- a time, a long, long time ago....
"The Emperor's Embrace" is a courageous work as well. Masson, as a father himself, addresses whether fatherhood comes naturally to human fathers. It is interesting to note that not one of the fathers that he spoke to while researching this book did not wish he had spent more time with his children when they were young. Parenting -- a profound and all-encompassing experience. Something other than a surrogate activity. Masson's book thus makes it so. An inspiring read for all concerned.
240 pages.
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