Jonathan Balcombe
British
Jonathan Balcombe is an ethologist and author. He is formerly director of animal sentience with the Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy, and department chair for animal studies with Humane Society University, in Washington, DC. He lectures internationally on animal behavior and the human-animal relationship. He also served as associate editor of the journal Animal Sentience from 2015 to 2019.
On LuvemBooks, we've reviewed What a Fish Knows.
1
Books ReviewedJonathan Balcombe books in order
7 books; 1 reviewed on LuvemBooks. Dates and covers from Amazon.
Ask LuvemBooks about Jonathan Balcombe
Jonathan Balcombe is a British ethologist who examines the cognitive and emotional lives of animals, particularly those we know least about. In What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins, he combines scientific research with accessible storytelling to challenge assumptions about fish intelligence and sentience, making a case that aquatic life deserves serious ethical consideration.
- Where should I start?
- Start with What a Fish Knows, Balcombe's most widely read work. It's the natural entry point: accessible to general readers, scientifically grounded, and a perfect demonstration of how he combines behavioral research with compelling narrative. Readers have rated it 4.6/5 on Amazon across 863 reviews.
- What's their writing style?
- Balcombe writes with a measured, conversational tone that builds arguments methodically from observation and evidence. He avoids melodrama but makes his case persuasively, often using vivid examples of fish behavior to make abstract concepts about animal consciousness tangible. His style reflects his training as a scientist while remaining warm and engaging for non-specialists.
- Books we've reviewed
- We've reviewed one book by Jonathan Balcombe so far. What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins (Science & Nature, 4.6/5 reader rating) uses scientific research to demonstrate that fish have personalities, emotions, and problem-solving abilities that challenge their reputation as simple creatures.
- What genre does he write in?
- Balcombe writes science and nature writing—specifically popular science focused on animal behavior and ethics. His work sits at the intersection of ethology (the study of animal behavior), cognitive science, and philosophical questions about how we should treat non-human animals.
- What should I read after Balcombe?
- If you finish What a Fish Knows and want more, look for popular science on animal cognition—authors like Frans de Waal (on primate behavior) or Temple Grandin (on animal minds) cover similar ground with the same blend of science and accessible writing.
Who is Jonathan Balcombe?
Where should I start?
What's their writing style?
Books we've reviewed
What genre does he write in?
What should I read after Balcombe?
Who is Jonathan Balcombe?
Jonathan Balcombe is a British ethologist—a scientist who studies animal behavior—known for his work investigating the inner lives and cognitive abilities of animals, especially those typically overlooked in popular science. He writes at the intersection of rigorous biology and ethical philosophy, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of animal consciousness and welfare.
Follow up
What's his background in animal science?
Why does he focus on animals?
Synthesized from verified book data & published reviews · How we review
Press Enter to ask. Answers come from our editorial Q&A — start typing to see related questions.
Authors Like Jonathan Balcombe
Peter Wohlleben
Science & Nature
Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees uses forest-ecology research to reveal rich inner lives in organisms we habitually dismiss, exploring plant sentience much as Balcombe examines fish.
1 book reviewed
Ed Yong
Science & Nature
Ed Yong’s An Immense World uses rigorous science and vivid storytelling to dismantle human-centric assumptions about animal perception, expanding Balcombe's mission beyond fish to other animals.
1 book reviewed
Z
Zoë Schlanger
Science & Nature
Zoë Schlanger's The Light Eaters applies the same mix of field reporting and ethical urgency to plant intelligence that Balcombe brings to fish.
1 book reviewed
T
Thomas McNamee
Science & Nature
Thomas McNamee’s The Inner Life of Cats similarly explores animal cognition through accessible science, using peer-reviewed research to examine the inner lives of felines.
1 book reviewed
Carl Sagan
Science & Nature
Carl Sagan shares a passion for evidence-based inquiry in The Demon-Haunted World, exploring the scientific method with wonder rather than focusing on animal ethology.
1 book reviewed
D
David E. Boruchowitz
Science & Nature
David E. Boruchowitz shares Balcombe's freshwater fish subject in The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums, shifting the focus from behaviour science to aquarium husbandry.
1 book reviewed