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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
medium-paced
This book was definitely an interesting read and provided a very informative and well-rounded report of testosterone and the effects that it has on modern society. It is a beautiful blend of observing the scientific nature of testosterone in animals, including humans, and the social implications that this hormone has.
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
T: The Story of Testosterone is a non-fiction layman accessible overview of the biochemical properties of testosterone written by Dr. Carole Hooven. Due out 13th July 2021 from Macmillan on their Henry Holt imprint, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a well written and uncontroversial examination of the effects of testosterone on physiology and behavior. It's aimed at the layperson and doesn't require more than an average basic understanding of science and/or biology. The text throughout is well annotated and the links and chapter notes provide ample opportunity for evidence based and peer-reviewed (advanced) reading later. The author has a conversational style of writing and although it's well annotated with proper citations, it's perfectly understandable and accessible.
This is admittedly a niche read, but it would undoubtedly make a good selection for library acquisition or science readers' use. I would also recommend it for lovers of natural history and biology as well as students of the human condition.
Four and a half stars. Rounded up for the comprehensive annotations and clear and concise writing.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
T: The Story of Testosterone is a non-fiction layman accessible overview of the biochemical properties of testosterone written by Dr. Carole Hooven. Due out 13th July 2021 from Macmillan on their Henry Holt imprint, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a well written and uncontroversial examination of the effects of testosterone on physiology and behavior. It's aimed at the layperson and doesn't require more than an average basic understanding of science and/or biology. The text throughout is well annotated and the links and chapter notes provide ample opportunity for evidence based and peer-reviewed (advanced) reading later. The author has a conversational style of writing and although it's well annotated with proper citations, it's perfectly understandable and accessible.
This is admittedly a niche read, but it would undoubtedly make a good selection for library acquisition or science readers' use. I would also recommend it for lovers of natural history and biology as well as students of the human condition.
Four and a half stars. Rounded up for the comprehensive annotations and clear and concise writing.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
informative
medium-paced
Honestly it's not so bad overall, I think she's slid a lot further into terf territory since writing this book and she makes some points about men that I do agree with, mainly that T is not a reason to automatically name us villains (altho she has enough bioessentialism in her writing that this also seems contradictory) ultimately things feel "inconclusive" from her research and I would have liked more in text citations, more recent scientific studies and just more science ig
Hooven discusses the role of testosterone in distinguishing male and female behavior, and specifically its effect on male behavior in this book. The first few chapters are very informative and I learnt a lot about how hormones contribute to animal (and human) development and behavior, and the history of endocrinology as a whole. The last four chapters, which I think dealt mainly with testosterone in humans/role of testosterone in human behavior, felt a little more drawn out than the first and I struggled to complete them.
I enjoyed learning all of the new information this book offered me, especially the kind where further reading was readily available from a simple google search (male sopranos, eunuchs, differences in sex development etc.) As an e-book reader, I would have benefited from in-text citations. There were a number of cases where I would have very much liked to refer to data/sources without having to scroll through pages of the notes section on my kindle.
Although very informative, I simply wasn't convinced of some of the points being asserted and in a few cases the citations that were presented at the end of the text were outdated. While the author attributes several differences between men and women to testosterone, she acknowledges that the behavioral effect of hormones specifically of testosterone, in women is understudied,
Lastly, I cringed several times reading this book ("So what is the right response to the male propensity for sexual assault and other problematic male behaviors? Let's not forget that men themselves don't get off easy, since hey are the primary victims of male violence. Women are not the only victims here.)" Unsettling quotes such as these dragged on the reading of this book and detracted from the information presented in this book for me.
I enjoyed learning all of the new information this book offered me, especially the kind where further reading was readily available from a simple google search (male sopranos, eunuchs, differences in sex development etc.) As an e-book reader, I would have benefited from in-text citations. There were a number of cases where I would have very much liked to refer to data/sources without having to scroll through pages of the notes section on my kindle.
Although very informative, I simply wasn't convinced of some of the points being asserted and in a few cases the citations that were presented at the end of the text were outdated. While the author attributes several differences between men and women to testosterone, she acknowledges that the behavioral effect of hormones specifically of testosterone, in women is understudied,
Lastly, I cringed several times reading this book ("So what is the right response to the male propensity for sexual assault and other problematic male behaviors? Let's not forget that men themselves don't get off easy, since hey are the primary victims of male violence. Women are not the only victims here.)" Unsettling quotes such as these dragged on the reading of this book and detracted from the information presented in this book for me.
funny
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
This book was a fascinating discussion of testosterone. The author comes from a liberal secular point of view, and seems dedicated to the scientific evidence. I appreciated her discussion on not being afraid of the truth, but learning the truth in order to find the best solutions as possible to problems in society. I also greatly appreciated her discussion on male and female differences and appreciating both. Her observations on the importance of societal norms to help direct behaviour was also fascinating and good to ponder, particularly in light of today’s sexual norms. Even if people are not persuaded by the evidence and want to put all the onus on societal norms, I think this is an important book to consider. It seems to me that a nuanced view that takes into account both biology and culture makes the most sense, and I think Hooven does a fairly persuasive job taking both into account, and not letting men get off the hook for behaviours that hurt and harm their neighbours, whether men or women.
As a Christian, I disagreed with certain ethical stances she took, but found her presentation of the facts immensely fascinating and helpful. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the biological factors that could be at play in sex difference.
As a Christian, I disagreed with certain ethical stances she took, but found her presentation of the facts immensely fascinating and helpful. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the biological factors that could be at play in sex difference.