The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal

Category: Livres anglais et trangers,Nonfiction,Social Sciences

The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal Details

The Development of an Extraordinary Species

We human beings share 98 percent of our genes with chimpanzees. Yet humans are the dominant species on the planet -- having founded civilizations and religions, developed intricate and diverse forms of communication, learned science, built cities, and created breathtaking works of art -- while chimps remain animals concerned primarily with the basic necessities of survival. What is it about that two percent difference in DNA that has created such a divergence between evolutionary cousins? In this fascinating, provocative, passionate, funny, endlessly entertaining work, renowned Pulitzer Prize–winning author and scientist Jared Diamond explores how the extraordinary human animal, in a remarkably short time, developed the capacity to rule the world . . . and the means to irrevocably destroy it.

[button]

Reviews

It is a book that should be read by everybody who is interested in the homo sapiens, its evolutionary history (not only its uniquely human generated disasters and but also his achievements). Jared Diamond's fascinating reflections comment on our animal origins, our peculiar life cycle and sexual behaviours, the ability of elaborating complex languages and their results; he then carries on to testify our bending towards self-destruction by drug abuse of any kind. According to his research, this last facet of our behaviour seems to reach back into the beginning to our existence. Furthermore, he then sheds light on "The Golden Age That Never Was", our self-delusion to escape from the present conditions and its dangers for humanity and nature altogether. And yet, by a sheer tour de force of precise logic reasoning, he concludes - nevertheless - the possibility of hope for future generations. He is a stunning naturalist, anthropologist and philosopher. After reading his work one might feel : "Come on! Let's tackle the problems!" A wonderful achievement.