What communication methods do animals practice and do they have a semblance of speech? Can animals recognize themselves in the mirror? Are animals characterized by friendship and emotional affection? Do they conduct wars and peace negotiations? The book of the famous primatologist Frans de Waal answers these questions in the context of the evolution of cognition, a new scientific direction that has received powerful development in the last decade. The author talks about the history of this science, about cruel disputes with behaviorists, and most importantly - about huge experimental work and observations of the natural behavior of animals.