A tantalizing, droll study of the idiosyncratic existence of the very rich, through the unexpected lens of the naturalist. Journalist Richard Conniff probes the age-old question "Are the rich different from you and me?" and finds that they are indeed a completely different animal. He observes with great humor and finesse this socially unique species, revealing their strategies for ensuring dominance and submission, their flourishes of display behavior, the intricate dynamics of their pecking order, as well as their unorthodox mating practices. Through comparisons to other equally exotic animals, Conniff uncovers surprising commonalities.

• How did Bill Gates achieve his single greatest act of social dominance by being nice? • How does the flattery of the rich resemble the grooming behavior of baboons? • What made the British aristocracy the single most successful animal dominance hierarchy in the history of the planet? • How does Old Money's disdain for the nouveaux riches resemble the pig-grunting of mountain gorillas?

This marvelously entertaining field guide captures in vivid detail the behaviors and habitats of the world's most captivating yet elusive animal. 29 photographs.

理查德・康尼夫，職業新聞記者與隨筆作傢，為《大西洋月刊》、《發現雜誌》、《史密森學會會刊》、《國傢地理雜誌》等眾多刊物撰寫文章。他也是“國傢地理頻道”、“發現頻道”的節目撰稿人與製作人，曾獲艾美奬最佳編劇奬提名，並於1997年榮獲美國“國傢雜誌奬”。他的著作包括《魔鬼的筆》、《無脊椎世界的奇聞》、《爬行動物》和《韆麵老鼠》。他現定居於美國康涅迪格州。