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A review by vikingvisuals
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
5.0
This is a book I would wish to make mandatory reading for everyone. The lessons taught in it are extremely important and are backed by various studies across multiple fields.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how extremely well versed the author is, not only in his own field but also in many others.
He clearly does a great job avoiding some of the tunnel visioned mistakes he mentions towards the beginning of the book: namely that scientists and researchers in a particular field tend to interpret everything through the lens of their area of expertise. He looks in great detail at the necessary neuroscience to explain behavior, but also looks into various other areas of biological sciences. Furthermore he is not shy to delve into and introduce relevant aspects of anthropology, psychology, and even philosophy. For every idea he introduces, he also considers the relevant criticisms.
All of this makes for a very rich experience and helps drive home the valuable aspects of the book.
Aside from the various lessons of the book I enjoyed the structure and repetition of ideas from previous chapters when and where relevant later on. Not to be underestimated is the wonderful humor he manages to bring even in more dry topics. Gives me the feeling of being back in University with some of my most treasured professors, adding in humor helps a lot in keeping interest.
I can only recommend this book and hope to read it again in the future to keep the ideas as fresh in my mind as possible.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how extremely well versed the author is, not only in his own field but also in many others.
He clearly does a great job avoiding some of the tunnel visioned mistakes he mentions towards the beginning of the book: namely that scientists and researchers in a particular field tend to interpret everything through the lens of their area of expertise. He looks in great detail at the necessary neuroscience to explain behavior, but also looks into various other areas of biological sciences. Furthermore he is not shy to delve into and introduce relevant aspects of anthropology, psychology, and even philosophy. For every idea he introduces, he also considers the relevant criticisms.
All of this makes for a very rich experience and helps drive home the valuable aspects of the book.
Aside from the various lessons of the book I enjoyed the structure and repetition of ideas from previous chapters when and where relevant later on. Not to be underestimated is the wonderful humor he manages to bring even in more dry topics. Gives me the feeling of being back in University with some of my most treasured professors, adding in humor helps a lot in keeping interest.
I can only recommend this book and hope to read it again in the future to keep the ideas as fresh in my mind as possible.