Brillant book, covering interesting topics in more detail than other similar books

Covers science in a detailed but yet accessible way. Worth sticking with it because it becomes easier and more enjoyable to read as you go through

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Fascinating look at behaviour from all angles

I found the approach of the book really interesting - it looks at the causes of behaviour going through different time scales. With this method, it is able to take in lots of academic disciplines that try to explain behaviour. From the initial signals in the nervous system, the hormonal system, through the environment of the individual, to the the genes and to the wider culture. It’s quite a lot to fit in but I think he just about manages it! My only issue is I don’t think he covers enough on human positive action and the psychology of that as I think that is a very important lens through which to see human behaviour. As the author believes free will is something of an illusion I suppose that’s not surprising. Also there are plenty of books out there with this as a focus so I can’t complain. Still a great book!
I found the narrator a bit irritating at first - at 1.2 speed it was much easier to concentrate.

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Just brilliant

For anyone interested in how their brain works this is most illuminating.
For anyone interested in how groups, religions, nations work it is even more fascinating.
I’ll have to listen to it again.

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Should be taught in high school.

Monumental work for the general public, technically rigorous but approachable and engaging. Sapolsky's writing is well structured, clear and terse. I personally like his dry humor.

This is a book *EVERYONE* should read, as it is about a topic

that concerns everyone - why we behave the way we behave.

There's no real good reason to be oblivious about this

knowledge; it's fundamentally as necessary as basic human

biology to a functioning adult.

All the information contained, which might feel like too much, is included pragmatically and reasons for its inclusion are provided and justified properly. Theses are always presented with counterarguments and a neutral attitude. Theories that are uncertain are presented as such, but contextualized to highlight their relevance. The work of a true, great scientific mind.

A rare, once in a decade, life-changing book.

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1 person found this helpful

Often fascinating, sometimes not

This book has some amazing sections, but also plenty that drag. It's hard to know what sort of reader wohld enjoy all of it. Some is incredibly technical and dense. For instance, the first 2 chapters are seriously hard work. Better chapters await if you can get through this!

The book is most interesting when Sapolsky is talking about his areas of specialism is non technical ways. For instance, the chapters on gene-environment interaction.

It is less interesting later in the book when it drifts into social science. It feels like something that Sapolsky cares a lot about, but is non necessarily more qualified to discuss than anyone else. E.g. The chapter on differences between people with different political views.

That said, his views at the end of the book on legal reform are really interesting.

A challenging book but we'll worth the effort.

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A very accessible book on a very complex subject.

Robert Sapolsky writes in an engaging way, yet manages a thorough over view of current thinking on a very complex subject.

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3 people found this helpful

Good for curious geeks who drive long distances.

I have been educated. I've read his work before, it's nice to have it read to you.

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life's complicated but interesting

lots of good details sometimes making the point a little obscure.
worh the effort.

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A dazzling achievement

Wow! What an amazing accomplishment and achievement of Robert Sapolsky, integrating so much disciplines, fields, science and philosophy and everything. And all so nuanced, well thought out, well presented. Every time when I would think 'yes, but what are the counter arguments?', sapolsky would present the opposite side of the findings.

The scope is dazzling, bringing so much together, but yet remaining consistent and accurate. I cannot fathom the work that he had to put in to synthesize all this.

This really brings the complexity of life to the front and center stage. And it presents in such a way that you marvel at it and it excites you!

6 stars would be best.

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great book, great narration!

I'm very impressed by the narration! It's not easy to remain entertaining and bubbly on a science book. The book itself is entertaining and bubbly overall but there are some passages that are more technical and still the narration is really easy to listen to. The content is absolutely fascinating!

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7 people found this helpful