I begin with a full disclosure: As many readers know, Vanessa Woods is one of my very best friends. I love spending time with her because she's insightful, outrageous, brilliant, and funny. And I can sincerely say I love her new memoir, Bonobo Handshake for the very same reasons. But most of all, I'm recommending this book because it's so important. At the start of Bonobo Handshake, we're introduced to Vanessa as she sets off rather haphazardly on an adventure to Africa with her new husband, Duke anthropologist Brian Hare. By the end, she--and we--are not the same. Woven in between is a beautiful and complex narrative about people and other primates that slowly unravels what's really at stake. There were times I laughed out loud reading about the challenges of working with a species that--yes--famously approaches sex as easily as humans would a handshake. But there is a lot more to bonobos than their sexual behavior. Just as Jane Goodall documented the unforgettable antics of chimpanzees like Flossie and David Greybeard, Vanessa brings us into the world of 'Empress' Mimi, mischievous and lovable Malou, and my favorite bonobo of all, sweet little Lodja. It's easy to fall in love with all ...