Sex and friendship in baboons /

Smuts has provided a fascinating analysis of sexual behavior based on long-term studies of baboons. Her work provides a variety of new insights into the processes of intragroup dynamics and, especially, female-male relationships. She takes on the unenviable task of defining the process of ``friendship'' through the analytical assessment of independent variables. Smuts succeeds admirably in this task and does it with solid definition and analysis of relevant variables (e.g., grooming, proximity, and characteristics of friends). To this she adds a refreshingly clear style of writing that will be an aid to interested readers without extensive backgrounds in behavior, primatology, or evolution. The book begins with a useful background on baboons and fieldwork and proceeds through chapters on Defining Friendship; What Made Friends Special; Benefits of Friendship to the Female; Male-Male Competition for Mates; Benefits of Friendships to Mates; Making, Keeping, and Losing Friends; and Comparative Perspectives. This book is rich in detailed behavioral work and contains many interesting insights into the complex social system of savannah baboons. Smuts's volume will be a must for professionals in behavior, evolution, etc., but will also draw a strong audience from students at the junior college level and up. Clarity of writing could make this book useful in advanced biology courses at the high school level.-D.W. Kitchen, Humboldt State University