Playing possum How animals understand death

What does it mean to really understand death? This is the question at the center of this book. Monsó (philosophy, National Distance Education Univ., Spain) focuses on the many ways death can be understood--from removing deceased copatriots to avoiding discussions of mortality--and introduces readers to comparative thanatology, the study of animals' relation to death. As a philosopher, Monsó provides considerable insight into how understanding animals' approaches to one of the most complex realities (i.e., that all members of all species eventually die) allows a greater understanding of animals' minds and whether all animals can truly be said to have a "mind." Each chapter addresses a different animal species (including chimpanzees, ants, whales, and dogs) and how they approach and understand death. This is a fascinating book that can be difficult to follow at times, especially for readers who find philosophical texts challenging. Still, it offers valuable insights not likely found in other texts. Reading it is made easier by the relaxed and welcoming writing style Monsó uses. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals. --Daniel C Marston, Marston Psychological Services, LLC