Close kin to humans, the great apes—chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans—are nonetheless mysterious, and we have much to learn about them. Spanning 500 years and replete with fascinating historical details and anecdotes, this illustrated book traces the twists and turns in the study of primate knowledge. As Chris Herzfeld outlines the development of primatology, she profiles the trailblazers Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas. Exploring the boundary between apes and humans, Herzfeld introduces apes who can paint or use American Sign Language, as well as those who have traveled in space and lived with human families.