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checkplease's review against another edition
4.0
Sapolsky is one of my heroes, a genius who integrates learning from various fields and applies it to questions that cut right to the heart of what makes us human. At the same time, he has a well-known gift for taking scientific findings and presenting them in accessible and engaging ways.
Though the science represented in this book is over 20 years old, I wanted to read it in advance of his new book, “Determined”. His thesis in that forthcoming work, that free will is a myth and we’d be a more just society if we accepted that, was explored more tentatively in his masterful book “Behave.” I was curious to trace the roots of this contention in these writings from earlier in his career.
There are some delightful pieces here, with his typical humor and perspicacity about scientific debates that have left his colleagues in fisticuffs. And, remarkably, some of the topics presented in this book are just getting due attention in the present, such as the negative health impacts of loneliness. If the world is going under, I want Sapolsky, or at least his words, within arm’s reach.
Though the science represented in this book is over 20 years old, I wanted to read it in advance of his new book, “Determined”. His thesis in that forthcoming work, that free will is a myth and we’d be a more just society if we accepted that, was explored more tentatively in his masterful book “Behave.” I was curious to trace the roots of this contention in these writings from earlier in his career.
There are some delightful pieces here, with his typical humor and perspicacity about scientific debates that have left his colleagues in fisticuffs. And, remarkably, some of the topics presented in this book are just getting due attention in the present, such as the negative health impacts of loneliness. If the world is going under, I want Sapolsky, or at least his words, within arm’s reach.
hellified's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
beatniksafari's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book of essays for my bookclub. I'll add more thoughts after tomorrow's discussion.
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My bookclub discussed this title last month. Overall members enjoyed Sapolsky's humorous, informal writing style. His essays discuss a variety of topics ranging from the very lighthearted (People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People) to the most serious (Munchausen by Proxy syndrome, a horrible phenomenon in which parents harm otherwise healthy children in order to receive medical and emotional attention). At times I wished the analysis went a little deeper, or the humor wasn't quite so flippant, but I enjoyed breezing through the quick studies of human behavior.
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My bookclub discussed this title last month. Overall members enjoyed Sapolsky's humorous, informal writing style. His essays discuss a variety of topics ranging from the very lighthearted (People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People) to the most serious (Munchausen by Proxy syndrome, a horrible phenomenon in which parents harm otherwise healthy children in order to receive medical and emotional attention). At times I wished the analysis went a little deeper, or the humor wasn't quite so flippant, but I enjoyed breezing through the quick studies of human behavior.
docpacey's review against another edition
4.0
Relatively current behavioral science explained in short, accessible pop science bursts.
Sapolsky's essays appear in many major magazines, and are digested here as a coherent gloss of current theories of human behavior. Very much in the vein of Steven Pinker. Thought provoking and a great source of conversation pieces.
Sapolsky's essays appear in many major magazines, and are digested here as a coherent gloss of current theories of human behavior. Very much in the vein of Steven Pinker. Thought provoking and a great source of conversation pieces.
danjercat's review
4.0
Great essays about biology and genetics written in a very easy to read style with jokes and everything!
mwchief's review against another edition
5.0
Not exactly a book, rather a compilation of articles on different topics. From low-level stuff like our genes and their interaction with the environment to some patterns that emerge in human societies. Everyone would find something interesting, and the best part is that every article has a list of literature for further exploration. And apart from that, the book is nicely written and easy to read.