Super Short Summary

Alex & Me by Irene Pepperberg is a memoir detailing the author's thirty-year research with Alex, an African Grey parrot, who exhibited cognitive abilities comparable to a two-year-old human. The book focuses on the deep emotional bond that developed between Pepperberg and Alex, despite her attempts to maintain professional objectivity. Readers learn about Alex's impressive linguistic skills, including his understanding and usage of labels, his ability to form new words, and his abstract thinking capabilities, all while Pepperberg faces challenges in gaining recognition and funding from the scientific community. The narrative includes sensitive topics such as the death of Alex.