Outdated now, but still an interesting read. I think Morris pioneered the concept of anthropological observation of "civilized" people as distinct from "primitive" tribespeople, at least I cant remember any others prior to him, but whatever academic value this book had long since become obsolete as anthropology has advanced by light years since its publication, but as a read its still entertaining and insightful. ( )

Desmond Morris studies mankind's social behavior and explains it as he would an animal, indeed pointing out in his introduction that "We are animals, after all." The photos make it interesting and are taken from many cultures, with a 1960s feel to them. Certainly worth looking through. ( )

Il controllo dei gesti inizia da una presa di coscienza. Ecco un esercizio molto semplice, ma molto prezioso. Aprite la mano destra, concentrate il vostro pensiero nel suo centro, poi dolcemente, lentamente, ripiegate le dita ponendo tutta la vostra attenzione in quel movimento finché avrete chiuso il pugno. ..

Fermatevi un istante e concentrate la vostra energia nel pugno, poi lentamente, dischiudete le dita e riaprite la mano… Fate questo esercizio mettendoci tutta la vostra consapevolezza, e vedrete che a poco a poco raggiungerete un grande controllo dei vostri gesti. Basta che facciate questo esercizio una sola volta, non diverrete più forti facendolo venti volte di seguito, ma fatelo ogni giorno, e come si deve.

—

“Control of our gestures starts with awareness. Here is an
exercise that is very simple but very valuable. Open your right
hand, concentrate your thoughts on the centre of your palm, then
gently and slowly fold your fingers in, focusing all your
attention on this movement until you have closed your fist. Stop
for a moment and concentrate your energy in your fist, then
slowly unfold your fingers and open your hand…
Put all your awareness into this exercise; you will see that you
will gradually achieve great mastery over your gestures. You only
need to do this exercise once; you will not become any stronger
by doing it twenty times running, but do it every day and do it
correctly.”

Indeholder "Introduction", "Actions", " Inborn Actions", " Discovered Actions", " Absorbed Actions", " Trained Actions", " Mixed Actions", "Gestures", " Incidental Gestures", " Expressive Gestures", " Mimic Gestures", " Schematic Gestures", " Symbolic Gestures", " Technical Gestures", " Coded Gestures", "Gesture Variants", "Multimessage Gestures", "Gesture Alternatives", "Hybrid Gestures", "Compound Gestures", "Relic Gestures", "Regional Signals", "Baton Signals", "Guide Sign", "Yes/No Signals", "Gaze Behaviour", "Salutation Displays", "Postural Echo", "Tie-Signs", "Body-Contact Tie-Signs", "Auto-Contact", "Nonverbal Leakage", "Contradictory Signals", "Shortfall Signals", "Overkill Signals", "Status Displays", "Territorial Behaviour", "Barrier Signals", "Protective Behaviour", "Submissive Behaviour", "Religious Displays", "Altruistic Behaviour", "Fighting Behaviour", "Triumph Displays", "Cut-Off", "Autonomic Signals", "Pupil Signals", "Intention Movements", "Displacement Activities", "Redirected Activities", "Re-Motivating Actions", "Insult Signals", "Threat Signals", "Obscene Signals", "Taboo Zones", "Overexposed Signals", "Clothing Signals", "Body Adornment", "Gender Signals", "Body Self-Mimicry", "Sexual Signals", "Parental Signals", "Infantile Signals", "Animal Contacts", "Play Patterns", "Metasignals", "Supernormal Stimuli", "Aesthetic Behaviour", "Laterality", "Locomotion", "Aquatic Behaviour", "Feeding Behaviour", "Sporting Behaviour", "Resting Behaviour", "Reference", "Index", "Acknowledgements", "Picture Credits".

Glimrende bog om menneskets adfærd. ( )

Desmond Morris is THE man. One of my academic heroes!!! ( )