THE CHIMPANZEE CHRONICLES:
Stories of Heartbreak and Hope from Behind the Bars
Collection by Debra Rosenman
From the shores of America to the forests of Africa, The Chimpanzee Chronicles: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope from Behind the Bars by longtime animal rights activist Debra Rosenman offers a glimpse into the world of captive chimpanzees who have been exploited as biomedical research subjects, entertainers, and pets. This anthology of twenty-five stories exposes the suffering they have endured; the healing many of them experienced once retired into sanctuary; and the life-changing transformations of the contributors themselves, each of whom was committed to a single mission—improving the lives of captive chimpanzees. Composed of firsthand accounts by primatologists, veterinarians, primate sanctuary founders and directors, a documentary filmmaker, and others, The Chimpanzee Chronicles ultimately charts a path for change while prompting readers to reenvision their relationship with these sentient beings and choose kindness and compassion toward all nonhuman animals.
The Chimpanzee Chronicles
Winner, Anthology – 2022 National Indie Excellence Awards
Finalist, Nonfiction – 2022 National Indie Excellence Awards
Winner, Animals & Nature –2022 Nautilus Book Awards
Finalist, Illustrated Trade Book – 2021 Southwest Book Design and Production Awards
Gold Medal, Anthology – 2020 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Awards
Grand Prize, Nonfiction – 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Winner, New Nonfiction – 2020 International Book Awards
Winner, General Nonfiction – 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Winner, Animals – 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Winner, Animals/ Narrative Nonfiction – 2020 Best Book Awards/American Book Fest
Winner, Anthology – 2020 NYC Big Book Awards
Distinguished Favorite, Book Interior Design – 2020 NYC Big Book Awards
Finalist, Anthology – 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Finalist, Anthology/Nonfiction – 2020 International Book Awards
Finalist, Anthologies: Nonfiction – 2020 Best Book Awards/ American Book Fest
“Debra Rosenman has collected stories that are surprising, heartbreaking, and heart-warming. Every page is astonishing. A compelling read that will leave you wondering if chimpanzees might well be more human than we are.”
—Nancy Merrick, MD Author of Among Chimpanzees
“If captive chimpanzees chose to write their own books for humans, The Chimpanzee Chronicles might well be one of them.”
—Michael Charles Tobias, PhD Author, global ecologist, animal activist, filmmaker, and president of Dancing Star Foundation
“Before these magnificent beings are gone forever, they need us to imagine a world in which their autonomy is respected and protected so they may live freely, with peace and dignity. This remarkable book will certainly help us get there.”
—Steven M. Wise Founder of the Nonhuman Rights Project and author of Rattling the Cage
“Debra Rosenman has done an excellent job in proving to the world that chimpanzees deserve to be held in the same regard as humans.”
—Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, PhD Author of When Elephants Weep and Beasts