In this wide-ranging collection of witty essays, Robert M. Sapolsky brings a touch of humor and compassion to the world of cutting-edge science. His subjects range from explanations of the neurological bases of human individuality to discussions about the philosophical and political implications of recent findings in biological research. Ultimately, Sapolsky confirms that human beings are -- with unnerving frequency -- just another kind of primate.

"Sapolsky is one of the best scientist/writers of our time....What emerges in these brilliant, wide-ranging essays is a rich picture of human individuality and how it is both constrained and liberated by biological fate". -- Oliver Sacks, M.D.

Amazon.com Review
As a professor of biology and neuroscience at Stanford and a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant," Robert Sapolsky carries impressive credentials. Best of all, he's a gifted writer who possesses a delightfully devilish sense of humor. In these essays, which range widely but mostly focus on the relationships between biology and human behavior, hard and intricate science is handled with a deft touch that makes it accessible to the general reader. In one memorable piece, Sapolsky compares the fascination with tabloid TV to behavior he's observed among wild African baboons. "Rubber necks," notes the professor, "seem to be a common feature of the primate order." In the title essay of The Trouble with Testosterone, Sapolsky ruminates on the links, real or perceived, between that hormone and aggression.