This book is a memoir of more than twenty years of famous primatologist Robert Sapolsky's acquaintance with East Africa. As a very young scientist, the author first came to a reserve in Kenya with the intention of testing his guesses about the nature of stress in people on wild baboons, which is not surprising, given how similar primates are to humans in their biological and psychological reactions. Actually, Sapolsky does not separate himself from his charges - experimental animals, which is obvious from the title of the book. And this gives the story a special charm and power. Together with the author, who gave his favorites biblical names, we learn about their life, suffering, love, rivalry, struggle for power, illness and death. No less colorful characters in the book are local residents: farmers, rangers, petty bosses and simple workers. Over the course of two decades in Africa, Sapolsky experiences his own dangerous adventures, the tragedies of his friends, and changes in political regimes - and writes about it in such a way that you feel almost like a participant in the events.