Behave - The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky

Behave - The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky

Sapolsky is professor of neurology at Stanford University and a giant within his field. This is sort of a condensed version of his life’s work and it is glorious. The first couple of chapters are a bit of a slow read, laying out all the science stuff, requiring your full attention, but he is that rare thing: a science guy who is also a funny writer.

Reading it, you realize how much of the science reporting in newspapers, you know, the “breaking news” stuff”, skip the small print (for example, everyone was busy raving about oxycontin as the love hormone but turns out that it comes with some caveats, a crucial one being that it may very well strengthen love (whatever that is) between friends (or the in-group) but it actually also diminishes any good will towards those we don’t “love” (the out-group)). Likewise, testosterone does not cause aggression per se - it merely enhances already existing tendencies, so administer a shot of testosterone to someone who isn’t by nature aggressive and nothing happens but administer it to someone who is already a hot head and kaboom!

Seriously, started out by singing the praise of non-fiction- this is one of those books that justifies that particular song, it is like having lessons with a fantastic professor who blows your mind and makes you laugh while he does so!!!! 

Reviewed by Pia Eisenhardt

Happy reading! 

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF Behave by Robert Sapolsky