Review by Choice Review
Ridley's book is another entry in the eternal debate on nature, nurture, and the possibility (or not) of a universal human nature. The debate intensified in the 1970s with publication of Richard Dawkins's The Selfish Gene (CH, May'77) and Edward Wilson's Sociobiology (CH, Nov'75). Ridley argues here that "human nature" (including separate natures for men and women) has been shaped by many millenia of human evolution, entailing the reassortment of genes and differential reproductive success. In 11 chapters written in a lively style, Ridley adduces the evidence for this possibility mainly from studies of animals other than humans. The author, a widely published journalist who writes on economics and finance as well as science, acknowledges (p.vii) that very few of the ideas presented are his own. Examination of the book's extensive references reveals few studies that might complicate the author's thesis. To omit adversarial points of view (for example, those expressed in R.C. Lewontin, Steven Rose, and Leon Kamin's Not in Our Genes, CH, Sep'84; Stephan Jay Gould's The Mismeasure of Man, CH, Apr'82; or any of the works of biologist Ruth Hubbard) is, of course, a legitimate polemical strategy. Like-minded readers will find much here with which to agree. F. P. Conant; Hunter College, CUNY
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Why do we have sex? One of the main biological reasons, contends Ridley, is to combat disease. By constantly combining and recombining genes every generation, people ``keep their genes one step ahead of their parasites,'' thereby strengthening resistance to bacteria and viruses that cause deadly diseases or epidemics. Called the ``Red Queen Theory'' by biologists after the chess piece in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass which runs but stays in the same place, this hypothesis is just one of the controversial ideas put forth in this witty, elegantly written inquiry. Ridley, a London-based science writer and a former editor of the Economist , argues that men are polygamous for the obvious reason that whichever gender has to spend the most time and energy creating and rearing offspring tends to avoid extra mating. Women, though far less interested in multiple partners, will commit adultery if stuck with a mediocre mate. In Ridley's not wholly convincing conclusion, even human intellect is chalked up to sex: virtuosity, individuality, inventiveness and related traits are what make people sexually attractive. Photos. BOMC and QPB alternates. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
This is a fascinating book filled with lucid prose and seductive reasoning. Freelance science writer Ridley reaches into the literature of genetics; molecular, theoretical and evolutionary biology; ecology; sociology; and anthropology to weave an extraordinary tale of the evolution of human nature, beginning with the evolution of sex. Using Lewis Carroll's Red Queen (who runs as fast as she can to stay in the same place) as a metaphor for evolution, Ridley shows how sex was the result of an evolutionary arms race between hosts and their disease-causing parasites. Ridley covers so much ground that transitions may be abrupt or unclear, particularly in the last two chapters; also, his review of human homosexuality is thin. His occasionally pompous style (including his immediate dismissal of those who do not believe in evolution) may offend some readers. However, Ridley clearly explains many complex and remarkable concepts for a wide audience. Highly recommended.-- Constance Rinaldo, Dartmouth Coll., Hanover, N.H. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A former editor of The Economist asks how sexual selection has molded human nature. The title here alludes to a scene in Lewis Carroll in which Alice and the Red Queen run as fast as possible to remain in the same place. Ridley looks first at current thinking on why sexual reproduction exists at all, when many organisms manage quite well without it. The answer has to do with disease: a species must rebuild its defenses from one generation to the next merely to keep from falling behind in the race against opportunistic viruses. Sex, by allowing a new shuffle of the genetic material with each generation, improves the chance of survival. But the predators also improve with each generation, so the race (vide Lewis Carroll) is never over. Turning to animals, Ridley describes mating patterns with an eye as to whether mates are selected for health and vigor, or for esthetics. He concludes that both play a role: neither sickly fashion-plates nor healthy wallflowers will pass on their genes as often as those who combine both beauty and health. Given the contrast between a brief sexual act and long years of child- rearing, aggressive males will tend to have more children, while nurturing women will have healthier ones. Those who select mates with these qualities will transmit them to ensuing generations, along with other qualities affecting offspring survival. Ridley contends--not a popular thesis in recent decades--that such genetic programming is far more central to human nature than social conditioning. Extensively researched, clearly written: one of the best introductions to its fascinating and controversial subject. (Notes, bibliography, index; eight pages of photos--not seen)
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