A review by ecmu
The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence by Carl Sagan

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I'm rating this book nearly five decades after it was written, so my impressions are definitely colored by that fact. There were some absolutely fascinating segments (particularly on sleep and dreams, and on the role of the "reptile brain" on behaviors) that have made me want to learn more about recent discoveries in those areas. Much of the book felt like a review of concepts I already know well (like basic genetics and stages of human evolution), or touching on concepts Sagan explored much deeper in Cosmos, which was published three years after this book. The in-depth descriptions he gives of 1977 computer capabilities in graphics and games (Pong!), and their potential use for education were entertaining to read in retrospect.

If you (like me), are looking to round out your reading of Sagan's works, it's worth a read. It's only 238 pages (excluding the bibliography, glossary, and index), and has some fascinating bits. It definitely isn't as relevant in the 21st century as some of his other books, which really have weathered the test of time. It's obviously a product of 1977, and I tried to rate it with that in mind!