What is *How to Be a Good Creature* by Sy Montgomery about?

*How to Be a Good Creature* is a memoir exploring Sy Montgomery’s profound bonds with 13 animals, from dogs to octopuses, revealing lessons about empathy, grief, and interconnectedness. Each chapter reflects on how these creatures taught her resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of seeing the world through others’ perspectives—human or otherwise. Themes include coping with loss, building unconventional families, and embracing life’s challenges with grace.

Who should read *How to Be a Good Creature*?

Animal lovers, memoir enthusiasts, and readers seeking heartfelt stories about resilience will find this book deeply rewarding. It’s ideal for those interested in nature writing, mental health narratives, or unconventional approaches to empathy. The book’s accessible prose and universal themes also make it suitable for young adults.

Is *How to Be a Good Creature* worth reading?

Yes—critics and readers praise its blend of humor, raw emotion, and unique insights into the animal-human connection. Described as “restorative” and “life-altering,” it offers a fresh perspective on compassion and has been hailed as a potential classic in animal literature.

What are the main themes in *How to Be a Good Creature*?

Central themes include: - **Empathy**: Learning to understand creatures like tarantulas and emus on their own terms - **Loss and Resilience**: Navigating grief through the deaths of beloved animals - **Unconventional Families**: Building connections across species, such as Montgomery’s bond with her pig Christopher Hogwood

What is Sy Montgomery’s background as an author?

Sy Montgomery is a naturalist and bestselling author known for works like *The Soul of an Octopus*. With degrees in journalism, she embeds herself in extreme environments—tracking tigers in India or swimming with sharks—to write immersive narratives. Her accolades include a National Book Award nomination and the Orbis Pictus Award.

What lessons does *How to Be a Good Creature* teach?

Key lessons from the animals include: - **Compassion**: A border collie teaches trust, while a pig demonstrates loving life despite hardship - **Facing Fear**: Studying a Goliath tarantula challenges preconceptions about “scary” creatures - **Grief**: Losing a beloved dog underscores the universality of sorrow and healing

Are there memorable quotes from the book?

One standout quote reflects Montgomery’s ethos: *“Animals teach you to see someone’s soul, look for their truth—that’s how you learn compassion.”* Another highlights her pig Christopher Hogwood’s influence: *“He taught us to love what life gives you, even when life gives you slops.”*

How does the book handle difficult topics like grief?

Montgomery confronts loss unflinchingly, detailing the deaths of cherished animals and their impact on her mental health. These raw accounts, while emotionally intense, underscore the transformative power of love and mourning.

착한 생명체로 산다는 것

열세 마리 동물에 관한 회고록

사이 몽고메리

4.06(13035 Reviews)

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 개요

"어떻게 좋은 생명체가 될 것인가(How to Be a Good Creature)"에서 박물학자 사이 몽고메리(Sy Montgomery)는 열세 마리의 놀라운 동물들로부터 배운 심오한 인생의 교훈을 공유합니다. 이 2018년 회고록은 일반적인 자연 저술을 뛰어넘어, 그녀가 사랑했던 돼지 크리스토퍼 호그우드(Christopher Hogwood)가 가르쳐 준 것처럼 독자들이 연민을 품고 다른 눈으로 세상을 바라보도록 영감을 줍니다.

전달 방식을 선택하세요

한 권의 책, 다양한 듣기 방식.

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 같은 아이디어를 담았습니다. 나에게 맞는 목소리, 깊이, 속도를 고르고 언제든 바꿔 보세요.

1장

Discovering the Animal Teachers Among Us

Imagine waking up one morning to find yourself face-to-face with a wild octopus, its intelligent eyes studying you as intently as you study it. What might this creature, so alien to our human experience yet so undeniably conscious, teach you about life? This question lies at the heart of Sy Montgomery's extraordinary memoir, which has captivated readers worldwide since its publication. A New York Times bestseller and named one of the "Best Books of the Year" by NPR, this deeply moving exploration of interspecies connection has been embraced by celebrities like Jane Goodall and Temple Grandin, who praised its profound insights into animal consciousness. The book's cultural impact extends beyond literary circles, inspiring wildlife conservation efforts and challenging readers to reconsider their relationships with the non-human world. Montgomery's journey-spanning continents and species-reveals that our greatest teachers often have four legs, eight arms, or no limbs at all. They simply require us to open our hearts and recognize the wisdom they offer.

2장

The Scottish Terrier Who Shaped a Life's Mission

My journey into the animal world began with Molly, a fierce Scottish terrier who became my salvation when I was three years old and failing to thrive. Unlike my elegant mother who dressed me in ruffles and frilly dresses, I admired Molly's wild spirit-her ability to destroy balls with powerful jaws, steal my father's socks, and roam our Brooklyn army base independently at night. While the WAACs saluted her during her nightly patrols, my mother attempted to tame us both, sewing Molly pastel coats and giving her a canopy bed to compete with my aunt's Scotties who could "say prayers" and "play piano." I pledged myself Molly's devoted acolyte, studying every detail of her body-from her comma-shaped nostrils to her mobile ears-hoping to absorb her doggy powers. In elaborate childhood fantasies, Molly and I would run away together to live in the woods where she would teach me the secrets of wild animals. Her superior senses amazed me; she could detect my father's approaching car long before it arrived and see clearly in darkness that left me blind. Through Molly, I glimpsed a vivid natural world just beyond human perception that I longed to access. She wasn't just a pet but a gateway to understanding other minds, other ways of being. When I touched her warm body, I connected with something ancient and wild that existed long before human civilization. This early bond planted the seeds for what would become my life's work-studying and writing about animals across the globe. What makes these early connections with animals so powerful? Perhaps it's because children haven't yet fully absorbed society's hierarchies that place humans above all other creatures. To a child, an animal companion isn't lesser-they're simply different, with their own wisdom and perspective. Molly taught me that understanding comes through careful observation and genuine respect. She showed me that friendship transcends species boundaries, a lesson that would guide my future encounters with creatures from emus to octopuses.

들리는 모든 단어를 눈으로 확인하세요

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 각 단어가 오디오에 맞춰 실시간으로 강조되어 편하게 따라 읽을 수 있습니다.

3장

Finding Purpose Among the Emus of Australia

At twenty-six, I found myself in the Australian Outback, having abandoned my career as a science journalist to join an Earthwatch expedition studying endangered southern hairy-nosed wombats. Australia's extraordinary creatures captivated me-kangaroos bouncing on two legs with babies in pouches, echidnas licking up ants with sticky tongues, and platypuses with poison spines on their webbed feet. Though we rarely glimpsed the shy wombats who lived in extensive underground tunnels, the experience of living in tents, cooking over eucalypt-scented fires, and waking to sunrises streaked with flocks of rainbow-colored parrots fulfilled my childhood dreams. My dedication impressed Dr. Pamela Parker, who invited me to stay and conduct independent research after the expedition ended. I quit my job and moved into a tent in the Outback, where my research focus emerged unexpectedly when I encountered three young emus. After watching them excrete seeds from mistletoe berries they'd eaten, I began studying how these flightless birds disperse plant seeds through their digestive systems. I spent days collecting "emu pies" (droppings) to examine seed germination rates, meticulously documenting my findings. Eventually, I could approach within fifteen feet of these magnificent birds, close enough to distinguish their individual characteristics: Knackered Leg with his distinctive scar, bold Black Head who often led the group, and skittish Bald Throat with his whitish neck patch. I recorded their behaviors in painstaking detail-how they sat by dropping first to their "knees" then chests, how they preened their stringy brown feathers, how they danced joyfully in gusty winds, and even how they teased the ranger's dog. They maintained a group awareness, always staying within about twenty-five yards of each other. One evening, I followed them until they settled beneath four stunted eucalypts as darkness fell. In that moment, I realized it wasn't just scientific data I craved-I simply wanted to be with them, to share their world. On my final night before leaving Australia, I was privileged to hear them settle down to sleep in the darkness, a profound moment of connection that transcended species boundaries. The emus taught me that understanding animals requires not just curiosity, skill, and intellect, but also an open heart-the same bond I had forged with Molly years before. They had guided me onto the path I would follow for the rest of my life: writing about animals and following their stories wherever they led, from rainforests to oceans to deserts. Have you ever experienced that moment when your life's purpose suddenly becomes clear? For me, it happened in the company of three gangly birds beneath the vast Australian sky.

4장

The Pig Who Built a Community

Just as everything in my life seemed to collapse-our rental home going up for sale, my book contract falling through, Jane Goodall failing to meet me in Africa, and my father dying of cancer-my husband Howard and I improbably adopted a sickly runt piglet named Christopher Hogwood. This tiny black-and-white spotted creature, who could initially fit in a shoebox, arrived with runny eyes, worms, and diarrhea. Though we knew nothing about raising pigs, Christopher's enormous personality immediately began healing my broken spirit. His cheerful grunts formed a sophisticated language I quickly learned to decode, from his excited "Unh! UNH!" greeting to his contented belly-rub "Unhhhhhh." Unlike my strained relationship with my parents, who had formally disowned me after I married Howard instead of their vision of a suitable military man, Christopher accepted me completely. While I was painfully shy, he was an extroverted escape artist who forged connections with neighbors by breaking out of his pen. His antics gave me something to talk about at dreaded social gatherings, and soon "dinner and a show" events-where neighbors brought leftovers to feed Christopher-transformed strangers into friends. When we miraculously managed to buy our rented house, we expanded our family further: first with "the Ladies," eight black sex-link hens who roamed freely, then with Tess, a beautiful but emotionally guarded border collie with a traumatic past. Finally, our menagerie attracted two young sisters, Kate and Jane, who moved in next door after their parents' divorce. The girls became regular visitors, saving their school lunches for Christopher and creating elaborate "Pig Spa" rituals with warm, soapy baths that our now several-hundred-pound pig adored-unless the water was too cold, prompting theatrical screams until we provided a warmer bath. Christopher greeted the girls with special soft grunts reserved just for them. As more children joined-visiting grandchildren from Iowa, a teen named Kelly undergoing chemotherapy treatments, and neighborhood boys who saved their leftovers for days to bring to him-I discovered the joy of playing with children, something I'd never experienced before. As Kate and Jane's mother pursued graduate studies, we became an extended family. Howard attended Jane's soccer games, I helped with homework, and we built fires next door so their mother wouldn't return to a cold house. We shared meals, holidays, field trips, and adventures, our two households merging into one multispecies unit. Christopher's fame grew with his seven-hundred-pound girth. The postmaster saved vegetable scraps, the cheese shop owner delivered leftovers while singing opera, and neighbors brought everything from apples to whey. His admirers spanned the globe, and he even received write-in votes at elections. As our neighbor Lila observed, Christopher was "a great big Buddha master" who taught us "how to love what life gives you, even when life gives you slops." With his boundless enthusiasm for life's pleasures-food, warm water, the touch of a child's hand-and his unconditional welcome to everyone, Christopher helped heal my deepest wounds. After a lifetime of moving and being disowned by my parents, he gave me both a home and a true family-one made not from genes or blood, but from love. Isn't it remarkable how the creatures we rescue often end up rescuing us in return?

착한 생명체로 산다는 것에서 더 많은 것을 얻으세요

매일 새로운 인사이트를 10만 개 이상의 레슨에서 만나보세요
단어가 강조되어 오디오와 실시간으로 동기화됩니다
내 라이브러리를 저장하고 모든 기기에서 이용하세요

5장

The Tarantula Who Changed My Perception

Crouching in the jungle of French Guiana, I waited nervously for a wild animal to emerge from its hole. I'd come with photographer Nic Bishop and biologist Sam Marshall to study the Goliath birdeater-the world's largest tarantula. Though I'd encountered predators on three continents, this was different. A female Goliath can weigh a quarter pound with a leg span large enough to cover a human face, and while not deadly, her half-inch fangs can deliver a painful, nauseating bite. Despite spiders' fearsome reputation, tarantulas are immaculate creatures, meticulously cleaning themselves like cats. Our expedition's pinktoe tarantula, Clarabelle, whom we found in a potted bromeliad, became our daily companion. We checked on her mornings and evenings, growing increasingly fond of her despite the threats she faced from predators like monkeys, birds, and pepsis wasps. Sam assured us that "spiders are individuals like everyone else," with distinct personalities. In his lab of 500 tarantulas, he'd observed that when he-and only he-entered the room, they all oriented toward him. As days passed, Clarabelle seemed to grow calmer with handling, perhaps responding to our increasing comfort with her. On our last day, Clarabelle became an ambassador when Sam introduced her to nine local schoolchildren. Though initially hesitant, even the children who feared spiders soon extended their palms to let her walk across their skin. Their faces showed reverence and peace as they saw this forest creature in a new way. One little girl murmured, "Elle est belle, le monstre." Through Clarabelle, I discovered a spidery world I'd never appreciated-creatures with astonishing superpowers who could shed their exoskeletons, regrow limbs, and spin silk stronger than steel yet softer than cotton. Back home, I began noticing the cellar spiders, jumping spiders, and barn spiders I'd previously overlooked. The world, I realized, "brimmed even fuller with life than I had suspected, rich with the souls of tiny creatures who may love their lives as much as we love ours." How often do we dismiss entire categories of beings based on fear or misunderstanding? Clarabelle taught me to question my preconceptions about which creatures deserve our attention and respect. She revealed that consciousness and complexity exist in forms we might never have imagined, challenging the arbitrary boundaries we draw between "higher" and "lower" animals. In her eight-legged elegance, she embodied a different kind of intelligence-one that has thrived on Earth for hundreds of millions of years before humans appeared.

6장

The Christmas Ermine's Fierce Grace

On Christmas morning, while bringing our hens their traditional popcorn feast, I discovered one of my beloved Dominique hens dead, her head wedged into a hole in the coop corner. When I tried to lift her by the legs, something held her head and wouldn't let go. After pulling hard, her body came free, and from the hole emerged a tiny white head with coal-black eyes and blood on its fur-an ermine, a weasel in winter-white phase. The ermine's pure white fur seemed to glow "like the garment of an angel," but even more impressive was its fearless gaze that "knocked the breath from my lungs." Despite being no longer than my hand and weighing less than a handful of change, it boldly challenged me for possession of the chicken. This tiny carnivore, with all the ferocity of lions and tigers concentrated into half a pound, can leap to catch birds mid-flight, swim, climb trees, and bring down animals many times its size. With hearts beating nearly 400 times per minute, ermines must eat 5-10 meals daily, consuming at least a quarter of their body weight to survive. The ermine's fierce determination reminded me of my mother, who had died of pancreatic cancer earlier that year. She too had overcome tremendous obstacles-poverty, rural life, gender discrimination-to become educated, learn to fly planes, work for the FBI, and marry an army officer. Through sheer will and intellect, she had transformed her circumstances completely. Looking into the ermine's piercing black eyes, "I realized how much I had admired my mother, and how much I missed her." When I brought Howard to see this marvel, the ermine again boldly emerged, its black eyes "blazing from that luminous white face." We felt we'd been visited by an angel on Christmas morning. Like the shepherds who were "sore afraid" of biblical angels, we witnessed something glorious in its "purity, strength, and holy perfection." This Christmas blessing from below ground rather than heaven was "ablaze with life," leaving no room for anger about my hen's death-only awe and forgiveness. The ermine taught me about necessary fierceness-the kind that sustains life even when it takes life. In nature, death and life are not opposites but partners in an ancient dance. The ermine killed my hen not out of malice but out of the same drive that made my mother fight so hard against her cancer-the will to survive, to persist against overwhelming odds. Sometimes grace comes not in gentle forms but in the blazing determination to live fully, whatever the cost. Have you ever encountered a wild creature whose fierce beauty left you breathless with recognition?

들리는 모든 단어를 눈으로 확인하세요

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 각 단어가 오디오에 맞춰 실시간으로 강조되어 편하게 따라 읽을 수 있습니다.

7장

The Border Collie Who Taught Joy and Grace

For most of our lives together, our border collie Tess "interrupted our work constantly to lay joy in our laps." After sitting quietly in our offices each morning, she would place a ball or Frisbee in our laps, insisting we play outside. Though sometimes these interruptions came during crucial writing moments, nothing was more life-affirming than playing with our joyous, athletic companion. Playing with Tess meant "multitasking love" as we'd also interact with Christopher the pig and the Ladies (chickens). Tess was brilliant at intuiting our movements and helping us navigate-even catching Frisbees in complete darkness when I couldn't see. As she aged, she suffered a mini-stroke, went deaf, and began losing her vision, yet remained happy and content. I was honored when our roles reversed, and I could now lead her through the darkness as she had once led me. Her grace became even more profound in her vulnerability, teaching me that "grace is not merely athletic prowess" but also "the divine ability to regenerate and sanctify." After Chris and Tess died within months of each other, I fell into profound depression. Despite having a loving husband, home, friends, and meaningful work, I could barely function. My health deteriorated-my hair fell out, my gums bled, and my brain malfunctioned. While writing Christopher's memoir, I made a deal with myself: if I didn't feel better by the time I finished, I would end my pain with leftover Valium. Before making my final choice, I had one obligation-a book about Dr. Lisa Dabek's research with tree kangaroos in Papua New Guinea. The expedition required three days of strenuous hiking through cloud forest, with each step leaving me gasping for breath. When a porter with a skin disease extended her hand to help me, I grabbed it gratefully. Nothing mattered except putting one foot in front of the other. At our rest stop, I finally looked up to see unspeakable beauty-villages below, moss-draped trees, wild rhododendrons, and tree ferns recalling the dawn of the world. The cloud forest revealed itself as a place of mercy and wonder. Our campsite was surrounded by moss-covered ancient trees that cushioned every step. We encountered remarkable creatures-a long-beaked echidna with tiny black eyes and a six-inch tubular snout, a plush mountain cuscus with huge brown eyes, and evidence of brush fowl that built Volkswagen-sized nests. Then came the miracle: trackers found two tree kangaroos-an adult male and female. For the first time in Lisa's study, she could radio-collar a male Matschie's tree kangaroo. Lisa had already decided to name them Christopher and Tess. As we hiked to the release site, their names became a chant, a prayer. These wild animals weren't my Chris and Tess, but they embodied the wildness that keeps us sane and whole. The day we released them back into the forest set me free too. After returning home, I longed for some sign from my departed companions. Then, a year and a half after Tess died, she came to me in a dream. In it, I was anxious about a tiny border collie puppy when Tess appeared at our door, replaced by another border collie with similar markings but taller ears and more luxuriant fur. I understood Tess had sent this dog to us. Through a remarkable series of coincidences, we found Sally-a dog who had suffered terribly, bearing puppies on a cold concrete floor where five of eight died. Though Howard initially resisted, I recognized her from my dream by the distinctive black patch on her neck where the white ruff didn't connect. Sally was indeed "a lot of dog" as we'd been warned. Her first day, she soiled nearly every room, counter-surfed for food, dug holes in the lawn, and seemed to know no English. But she was a quick learner, immediately responding to her new name and earning a Certificate of Good Manners within a month. Unlike the disciplined Tess, Sally stole lunches from backpacks, grabbed sandwiches from hands, and caused chaos wherever she went. Yet her joyful spirit was irresistible. Where Tess was graceful and reserved, Sally was clumsy and extravagantly affectionate. Tess had been our "lifetime dog," but so was Sally-not a replacement but an expansion of our hearts.

8장

The Octopus Who Revealed Another World

Standing on a stepstool over a tank of frigid saltwater, I waved a dead squid back and forth, trying to entice the New England Aquarium's new giant Pacific octopus, Octavia. Despite my frozen hands, she remained stubbornly plastered to the opposite wall. I desperately wanted this octopus to be my friend, especially after my profound connection with her predecessor, Athena. When I'd first met Athena earlier that spring, she'd immediately slid over to inspect me, her dominant eye swiveling to meet mine as her arms reached toward me. I'd plunged my hands into the tank, soon finding my skin covered with hundreds of her strong, coin-sized suckers. Athena had even seemed to recognize me on subsequent visits, allowing me to pet her head-something she'd never permitted visitors to do before. Though Athena had seized me right away, Octavia showed no interest in meeting me at first. Wilson Menashi, a longtime aquarium volunteer, explained that octopuses have distinct personalities. On my second visit, Scott used tongs to present food directly to her face. Suddenly, Octavia seized both the tongs and me, pulling my arms into her tank with surprising strength. Though I knew about her beak and venom, I felt no threat-only curiosity from both sides. Scott grabbed my ankles to keep me from being pulled in completely. A week later, I returned with a radio crew from Living on Earth. To everyone's delight, Octavia engaged with all of us, grasping our hands with her suckers, changing colors, and forming bumps called papillae across her skin. While we were distracted by her, she stole the fish bucket from the edge of the tank. Even as she explored the bucket, she continued playing with us-octopuses can multitask easily because three-fifths of their neurons are in their arms, almost as if each arm has its own brain. Patches of her skin turned from red to white-the color of a relaxed octopus. "She's happy!" I cried to Wilson. "Oh, yes," he agreed. "Very happy." But soon Octavia's behavior changed dramatically. She began resting in different places, appearing paler, and showing less interest in interaction. After returning from an expedition to Namibia, I found Octavia completely transformed. Her skin was smooth as a balloon, and she clung to the walls of her tank. She had laid perhaps 100,000 eggs-pearl white, rice-grain sized, hanging in chains she had braided together and glued to her lair. Though her eggs were infertile (she hadn't mated), she couldn't know they would never hatch. Like a mother octopus in the wild, she refused to leave them, even briefly extending an arm to accept food offered on tongs. I began watching her from the public viewing area before the aquarium opened, observing her tender care-fluffing her eggs, shooting jets of water at them to clean them, caressing them with the tips of her arms. Her devotion was beautiful, revealing "the ancient shape of life's first love." Despite her infertile eggs, Octavia tended them with diligence for an astonishing ten months, far longer than the typical six. Eventually, her body began failing-one eye became horribly swollen with infection. When Wilson and I visited her one last time, she floated to the surface, took a squid but dropped it, and then reached out to touch us with her suckers for five full minutes before sinking back down. This final connection showed me something profound: that the universe "is alive, and has fire in it, and is full of gods." My friendship with Octavia revealed that our world is "aflame with shades of brilliance we cannot fathom-and is far more vibrant, far more holy, than we could ever imagine." Have you ever considered how many forms of consciousness exist alongside our own, experiencing the world in ways we can barely comprehend? The octopus, with its distributed brain and three hearts, offers a glimpse into alternative ways of being-equally valid, equally profound.

착한 생명체로 산다는 것에서 더 많은 것을 얻으세요

매일 새로운 인사이트를 10만 개 이상의 레슨에서 만나보세요
단어가 강조되어 오디오와 실시간으로 동기화됩니다
내 라이브러리를 저장하고 모든 기기에서 이용하세요

9장

Finding Hope in Unexpected Places

After Sally's death, I fell into another deep depression. Nothing brought me joy-not the success of my octopus book, not walks with friends, not the beauty of New Hampshire's woods. Then one day, my vet Chuck called about a border collie puppy from Dave Kennard's prized litter who had been born with a blind eye, making him unsuitable as a working herder. Though Howard and I had decided we weren't ready for another dog, we went "just to look." That puppy became Thurber, named after the one-eyed cartoonist James Thurber, who brought unexpected joy back into our lives. Thurber was nothing like what we thought we wanted. Instead of waiting months or years for a petite black-and-white female rescue, we got a male tricolor with a short coat who became our tallest and heaviest dog. With his distinctive lightning-bolt white stripe zigzagging around his good left eye and his enormously long tail, Thurber brings joy to everyone he meets. He's enthusiastic, smart, and perpetually happy-playing with toys indoors, dragging enormous sticks on trails, and even "singing" along to music (especially Springsteen). Unlike Tess and Sally who suffered from separation anxiety from past trauma, Thurber is happy anywhere with anyone. His blind eye-the "blessed eye" that brought him to us-taught me that "you never know, even when life looks hopeless, what might happen next. It could be that something wonderful is right around the corner." This simple truth has sustained me through my darkest moments. When grief threatens to overwhelm me, I remember that life has a way of surprising us with unexpected gifts-often in forms we never would have chosen for ourselves. The animals who have shared my life have each brought unique lessons. Molly showed me the wild spirit that exists within domesticated creatures. The emus revealed that understanding requires patient observation and an open heart. Christopher taught me that family transcends species boundaries. Clarabelle demonstrated that consciousness exists in forms we might never have imagined. The Christmas ermine embodied necessary fierceness and the will to survive. Tess and Sally showed how grace can manifest in both athletic prowess and vulnerability. Octavia revealed that love takes many forms across the evolutionary tree. And Thurber reminds me daily that hope often arrives in unexpected packages. Together, these creatures have taught me what it means to be a good creature in this world-to approach life with curiosity rather than fear, to form connections across differences, to embrace joy when it's offered, and to face inevitable losses with courage. They've shown me that the boundaries we draw between species are far more permeable than we imagine, and that wisdom comes in many forms if we're willing to recognize our teachers. What would our world look like if we approached all living beings with this kind of openness? What might we learn from the countless creatures who share our planet if we truly paid attention? Perhaps the path to becoming better humans lies not in separating ourselves from the natural world but in recognizing our place within it-as just one species among many, each with something valuable to teach.

★★★★★

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 완독을 축하합니다

100만 명 이상의 학습자가 사랑합니다

“23일째 매일 사용하고 있어요. 이제 제 일상의 한 부분이 되었습니다.”

jayallen

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 핵심 주제

interspecies connection
animal consciousness
nature as teacher
cross-species empathy
wildlife conservation ethics

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 명언

Friendship transcends species boundaries.
Understanding comes through careful observation and genuine respect.
Animals require not just curiosity, skill, and intellect, but also an open heart.
Christopher accepted me completely.

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 등장인물

Sy MontgomeryAuthor and naturalist exploring animal wisdom
MollyA fierce Scottish terrier and Sy's first teacher
Dr. Pamela ParkerScientist who invited Sy to conduct research
Black HeadA bold emu studied by Sy in the Outback
Knackered LegAn emu with a distinctive scar and personality

저자 소개

사이 몽고메리(Sy Montgomery)는 과학적 호기심과 서정적인 스토리텔링을 결합하여 인간과 동물 사이의 깊은 유대감을 탐구하는 미국의 자연주의자이자 베스트셀러 작가입니다. 그녀는 《착한 생명체로 산다는 것(How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals)》의 저자이기도 합니다.

몽고메리는 《문어의 영혼(The Soul of an Octopus)》으로 내셔널 북 어워드(National Book Award) 최종 후보에 올랐습니다. 그녀의 작품은 수십 년 동안 전 세계를 누비며 쌓아온 광범위한 현장 연구 경험을 바탕으로 회고록과 자연 문학의 장르를 아름답게 연결합니다. 이러한 경험은 인도의 식인 호랑이 연구부터 뉴햄프셔의 친숙한 풍경 속에서 고아가 된 벌새를 키우는 일까지 다양합니다.

《돼지 학교(The Good Good Pig)》와 《매의 길(The Hawk’s Way)》을 포함한 그녀의 유명 저서들은 종 간의 관계를 따뜻한 시선으로 기록하는 작가로서의 명성을 공고히 해주었습니다. 시러큐스 대학교를 졸업하고 아동 비허구 부문 오르비스 픽투스 상(Orbis Pictus Award)을 수상한 몽고메리의 독특한 통찰력은 문어에서 돼지에 이르기까지 다양한 생명체들과의 직접적인 만남을 통해 깊이 형성되었습니다.

《착한 생명체로 산다는 것》은 《뉴욕 타임스》 베스트셀러에 올랐으며, 개인적인 취약함과 동물의 세계에 대한 깊은 경외심을 설득력 있게 결합하여 독자들에게 깊은 울림을 주었습니다.

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 요약 다운로드

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 요약을 무료 PDF 또는 EPUB으로 받으세요. 인쇄하거나 오프라인에서 언제든 읽을 수 있습니다.

다른 사용자들도 좋아한 책

What the animals taught me

Stephanie Marohn

Emotional Lives of Animals

Marc Bekoff

Two Dogs and a Parrot

Joan Chittister

How to Be a Better Person

Kate Hanley

Inner Life of Animals

Peter Wohlleben

The Age of Empathy

Frans de Waal

How to Human

Carlos Whittaker

Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Charlie Mackesy

이 책에 대한 FAQ

더 알아보기

학습 계획

Bridge the Interspecies Gap

This learning plan is essential for animal lovers, pet owners, and conservationists looking to move beyond physical cues into intuitive understanding. It provides a structured path to quiet the ego and develop the specific sensory skills needed to truly hear what other species are communicating.

1 h 36 m•4 섹션

학습 계획

Becoming Supernatural: The Science of Self-Transformation

This learning plan bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science for those seeking radical personal change. It is ideal for individuals looking to transcend their current limitations by mastering the intersection of neuroscience, biology, and mindfulness.

1 h 30 m•3 섹션

학습 계획

How to be a good anthropologist

This learning plan equips aspiring anthropologists, social researchers, and cross-cultural practitioners with the theoretical foundations, methodological skills, and ethical frameworks essential for understanding human diversity. It's ideal for students entering anthropology, professionals working across cultures, or anyone seeking to develop a sophisticated lens for analyzing human societies and their own positionality within research contexts.

5 h 31 m•4 섹션

학습 계획

The Biology of Belonging

Understanding the biological roots of social interaction is essential for anyone looking to deepen their interpersonal skills or lead more effectively. This plan is ideal for psychologists, leaders, and curious minds seeking to bridge the gap between hard science and human connection.

1 h 12 m•3 섹션

학습 계획

Aristotle’s Guide to Flourishing

This plan distills ancient wisdom into practical strategies for modern character development and ethical living. It is ideal for individuals seeking to improve their decision-making, social relationships, and overall sense of purpose.

2 h 30 m•5 섹션

학습 계획

The Book of Good Aspects

This plan is essential for individuals seeking to break free from habitual negativity and reactive living. It is designed for those who want to master the art of deliberate creation and emotional regulation through the practical application of appreciation.

1 h 36 m•4 섹션

학습 계획

Cows: A Descent into Visceral Madness

This course is designed for enthusiasts of transgressive fiction and psychological horror who wish to deconstruct the mechanics of visceral storytelling. It provides a deep dive into the descent from domestic misery into surrealist madness, ideal for writers and analysts of the macabre.

1 h 30 m•3 섹션

학습 계획

Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

This plan distills Robert Greene's essential wisdom on influence and social dynamics into actionable lessons. It is ideal for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to navigate human nature with greater strategic clarity and psychological insight.

1 h•4 섹션

컬럼비아 대학교 동문들이 제작 샌프란시스코에서 개발

BeFreed는 호기심 넘치는 글로벌 커뮤니티를 하나로 연결합니다

4.7

평균 평점

앱 평가 7.84천 개 이상

BeFreed Community

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

웹에서 BeFreed가 어떻게 논의되고 있는지 더 보기

컬럼비아 대학교 동문들이 제작 샌프란시스코에서 개발

BeFreed는 호기심 넘치는 글로벌 커뮤니티를 하나로 연결합니다

4.7

평균 평점

앱 평가 7.84천 개 이상

BeFreed Community

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

웹에서 BeFreed가 어떻게 논의되고 있는지 더 보기

지금 바로 학습 여정을 시작하세요

7장

착한 생명체로 산다는 것

개요착한 생명체로 산다는 것 개요

한 권의 책, 다양한 듣기 방식.

Discovering the Animal Teachers Among Us

The Scottish Terrier Who Shaped a Life's Mission

들리는 모든 단어를 눈으로 확인하세요

Finding Purpose Among the Emus of Australia

The Pig Who Built a Community

착한 생명체로 산다는 것에서 더 많은 것을 얻으세요

The Tarantula Who Changed My Perception

The Christmas Ermine's Fierce Grace

들리는 모든 단어를 눈으로 확인하세요

The Border Collie Who Taught Joy and Grace

The Octopus Who Revealed Another World

착한 생명체로 산다는 것에서 더 많은 것을 얻으세요

Finding Hope in Unexpected Places

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 완독을 축하합니다

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 핵심 주제

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 명언

착한 생명체로 산다는 것의 등장인물

저자 소개

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 요약 다운로드

다른 사용자들도 좋아한 책

이 책에 대한 FAQ

What is How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery about?

Who should read How to Be a Good Creature?

Is How to Be a Good Creature worth reading?

What are the main themes in How to Be a Good Creature?

더 알아보기

BeFreed는 호기심 넘치는 글로벌 커뮤니티를 하나로 연결합니다

BeFreed는 호기심 넘치는 글로벌 커뮤니티를 하나로 연결합니다

한 권의 책, 다양한 듣기 방식.

Discovering the Animal Teachers Among Us

The Scottish Terrier Who Shaped a Life's Mission

들리는 모든 단어를 눈으로 확인하세요

Finding Purpose Among the Emus of Australia

The Pig Who Built a Community

착한 생명체로 산다는 것에서 더 많은 것을 얻으세요

The Tarantula Who Changed My Perception

The Christmas Ermine's Fierce Grace

들리는 모든 단어를 눈으로 확인하세요

The Border Collie Who Taught Joy and Grace

The Octopus Who Revealed Another World

착한 생명체로 산다는 것에서 더 많은 것을 얻으세요

Finding Hope in Unexpected Places

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 완독을 축하합니다

다른 사용자들도 좋아한 책

더 알아보기

착한 생명체로 산다는 것 개요