Why read The Naked Ape?

Book cover of The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal

Book description

This work has become a benchmark of popular anthropology and psychology.

Zoologist Desmond Morris considers humans as being simply another animal species in this classic book first published in 1967. Here is the Naked Ape at his most primal in love, at work, at war. Meet man as he really…

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Topics

Human behavior

Genres

Science

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Naked Ape as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Sandy Graham

Author

I believe an understanding of how human society evolved into its current state is a key ingredient in the search for ways to influence its future. Desmond Morris provides an insightful foundation for this by analyzing the human-animal from a Zoologist’s viewpoint. He traces our evolution from a small insect-eating forest dweller to a fruit and nut-eating ape to a predominantly carnivorous hunting ape.

This last major transition most interests me because it explains the significant biological and cultural changes needed to compete with established carnivores. This includes lengthened brain development, communication, male/female bonding, social organization, and territorial protection. While…

From Sandy's list on The best books to influence human society.