Sentient: How Animals Illuminate the Wonder of Our Human Senses

"Even octopuses' neuron-rich arms are amputated in the name of scientific inquiry ..."

"Higgins is a patient guide, and her writing is accessible throughout."

"Higgins does a great job at describing scientific studies and their results, and at connecting them to humans, making for a moving and perspective-shifting examination of 'the everyday miracle of being sentient.' Fans of David Attenborough's documentaries or the works of Helen Scales will savor this delightful study."

"Higgins highlights intriguing animals with remarkable sensory receptors that offer new perspectives on human senses, which, she explains, number far more than the traditional five ..."

"In an authoritative and captivating tone, Higgins provides numerous entertaining lessons regarding how information gained from animals can be applied to humans ..."

"Rather, she digs deeply into the sensory capacities of some of the world's most intriguing animals to better understand not only them, but the biological miracle of our own perceptions, many of which turn out to be surprisingly acute ..."

"Higgins keeps the lay reader engaged with her lyrical and lucid style, despite describing complex science (often at the molecular level), and skilfully incorporates individual human stories ..."

"For all that it's stuffed with entertaining oddities, Sentient is not a book about oddities, and Higgins's argument, though colourful, is rigorous and focused."