Sy Montgomery
Author of The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness
About the Author
Sy Montgomery was born on February 7, 1958 in Frankfurt, Germany. She is a 1979 graduate of Syracuse University, a triple major with dual degrees in Magazine Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and in French Language and Literature and in Psychology from the College of show more Arts and Sciences. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Keene State College in 2004, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Franklin Pierce University and also from Southern New Hampshire University in 2011. Montgomery is a naturalist. She is an author, and scriptwriter. Her most popular book, The Good Good Pig, is a memoir of her life with her pig, Christopher Hogwood. The book became listed on the New York Times bestseller list in 2015. How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals was published in September 2018. Her other notable titles include Journey of the Pink Dolphins, Spell of the Tiger, and Search for the Golden Moon Bear. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Sy Montgomery visits Sam Marshall's tarantula lab.
Works by Sy Montgomery
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness (2015) 2,361 copies
Birdology: Adventures with a Pack of Hens, a Peck of Pigeons, Cantankerous Crows, Fierce Falcons, Hip Hop Parrots, Baby… (2010) 268 copies
Associated Works
Adrenaline 2000: The Year's Best Stories of Adventure and Survival 2000 (2000) — Contributor — 49 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1958-02-07
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Places of residence
- Hancock, New Hampshire, USA
- Education
- Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
Westfield High School, Westfield, New Jersey, USA - Occupations
- journalist
author
naturalist
documentary maker
radio commentator - Relationships
- Mansfield, Howard (husband)
- Short biography
- The Boston Globe called her "a cross between Indiana Jones and Emily Dickinson."
Members
Reviews
How To Be A Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen… by Sy Montgomery
This is a must-read for all animal lovers. I found myself touched by the author’s feelings towards animals, both the ones she lives with and those that she encounters in her life. This book might just change the way you view the animals in your life.
An octopus is an amazing creature. You probably already knew that, but you will be even more amazed after reading “The Soul of an Octopus” (2015) by Sy Montgomery.
An octopus has eight legs and nine brains, one in each leg in addition to a central brain. It can taste with each of these legs. Not only do octopuses have different personalities, but even the those legs seem to have different personalities. Some are reserved, while others are more bold and eager to explore.
An octopus is much stronger than a human being. It is able to open tight jars, solve puzzles and escape from all but the most secure enclosures.
A female octopus lays eggs by the thousands. Only about two out of 100,000 eggs will survive and result in an adult octopus.
An octopus has three hearts. It can change color and blend in with almost any background.
An octopus can understand pointing and even watch television.
Yet for all its intelligence and strength and curiosity, an octopus's lifespan is shockingly short, usually just three or four years.
Montgomery, the author of a number of books about wild creatures, got to know several octopuses in a personal way through many visits to an aquarium in Boston. She also learned to scuba dive in order to see octopuses in their natural habitat.
She writes beautifully and tenderly. As for her title, she defines a soul as "the fingerprint of God." By that definition she concludes that an octopus has a soul, and in her book she attempts to relate her own soul to that of several wondrous and mysterious octopuses.… (more)
An octopus has eight legs and nine brains, one in each leg in addition to a central brain. It can taste with each of these legs. Not only do octopuses have different personalities, but even the those legs seem to have different personalities. Some are reserved, while others are more bold and eager to explore.
An octopus is much stronger than a human being. It is able to open tight jars, solve puzzles and escape from all but the most secure enclosures.
A female octopus lays eggs by the thousands. Only about two out of 100,000 eggs will survive and result in an adult octopus.
An octopus has three hearts. It can change color and blend in with almost any background.
An octopus can understand pointing and even watch television.
Yet for all its intelligence and strength and curiosity, an octopus's lifespan is shockingly short, usually just three or four years.
Montgomery, the author of a number of books about wild creatures, got to know several octopuses in a personal way through many visits to an aquarium in Boston. She also learned to scuba dive in order to see octopuses in their natural habitat.
She writes beautifully and tenderly. As for her title, she defines a soul as "the fingerprint of God." By that definition she concludes that an octopus has a soul, and in her book she attempts to relate her own soul to that of several wondrous and mysterious octopuses.… (more)
This book is a treasure. The gorgeous photography along with Sy Montgomery’s expressive writing and enthusiasm for octopuses made it a delight to read.
I discovered this book on a list of best short books. Sometimes you just need a good, quick read as a palate cleanser. Other times it serves as far more than that, and How to Be a Good Creature is one of those books.
Every animal lover should read this. It’s beautiful, heartfelt, and styled unlike any other memoir I’ve read. I now want to go buy my kids every one of Sy Montgomery’s children’s books, and I’m feeling kind of inspired to write some of my own anecdotes from life on a farm.… (more)
Every animal lover should read this. It’s beautiful, heartfelt, and styled unlike any other memoir I’ve read. I now want to go buy my kids every one of Sy Montgomery’s children’s books, and I’m feeling kind of inspired to write some of my own anecdotes from life on a farm.… (more)
Lists
Best Audiobooks (1)
Awards
Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia (Life Science – 2010)
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea (Science-Related Careers – 2007)
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 42
- Also by
- 3
- Members
- 8,501
- Popularity
- #2,832
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 485
- ISBNs
- 228
- Languages
- 6
- Favorited
- 1
