The Trouble with Testosterone: And Other Essays on the Biology of the Human Predicament

by Robert M. Sapolsky

Overview

Told with Robert Sapolsky’s unique combination of wit, compassion, and scientific expertise, The Trouble with Testosterone is equal parts enlightening and entertaining. This collection of essays—Sapolsky’s first—unpack the biological bases of human culture and behavior, revealing how glands and hormones, hard-wired emotions and instinctual responses underlie so many of the characteristics we might think are functions or our personality or our cultural heritage. The man who Oliver Sacks hailed as “One of the best scientist/writers of our time,” shows himself to be at his best in these sharply observed, uproariously funny essays, and he doesn’t disappoint.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439125052
Publisher:	Scribner
Publication date:	10/16/2012
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	230,650
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Robert M. Sapolsky is the author of several works of nonfiction, including A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone, and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. He is a professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius grant. He lives in San Francisco.

Editorial Reviews

In 17 wide-ranging and witty essays, 11 of which have been previously published in Discover and The Sciences, Stanford biologist Sapolsky (Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers) provides extraordinary insights into the topic of biological determination. How much of our personalities, our behaviors, our quirks, he asks, are a direct outcome of our genes, or the biochemical processes they control, and how much can be attributed to free will? Sapolsky draws fascinating parallels between humans and our close primate relatives and provides abundant details about some of the latest breaking discoveries in neurobiology, always probing the possible infringements on our personal freedom that might arise from our new knowledge. His specific topics include the timing of the onset of menstruation, whether religious rituals stem from obsessive-compulsive behaviors, the parallels between our fascination with the O.J. trial and voyeurism in baboon societies, grave-robbing in the 19th century, as well as many others. They are all fascinating, and Sapolsky packs his treatments of them with wisdom and delightful surprises. Throughout he criticizes poor scientific methodology as well as those who uncritically accept it. Sapolsky's style, cleverness and sensitivity compares favorably to those of Oliver Sachs.

Publishers Weekly - Cahners\\Publishers_Weekly

In 17 wide-ranging and witty essays, 11 of which have been previously published in Discover and The Sciences, Stanford biologist Sapolsky (Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers) provides extraordinary insights into the topic of biological determination. How much of our personalities, our behaviors, our quirks, he asks, are a direct outcome of our genes, or the biochemical processes they control, and how much can be attributed to free will? Sapolsky draws fascinating parallels between humans and our close primate relatives and provides abundant details about some of the latest breaking discoveries in neurobiology, always probing the possible infringements on our personal freedom that might arise from our new knowledge. His specific topics include the timing of the onset of menstruation, whether religious rituals stem from obsessive-compulsive behaviors, the parallels between our fascination with the O.J. trial and voyeurism in baboon societies, grave-robbing in the 19th century, as well as many others. They are all fascinating, and Sapolsky packs his treatments of them with wisdom and delightful surprises. Throughout he criticizes poor scientific methodology as well as those who uncritically accept it. Sapolsky's style, cleverness and sensitivity compares favorably to those of Oliver Sachs. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Ask fans of popular science to name the best science essayists today, and the name of Sapolsky should not immediately come to mind. This book should help to change that. Sapolsky, a biologist at Stanford and a contributor to Discover magazine, writes on the biological aspects of human behavior. Subjects in this provocative and highly literate collection include male aggression, the onset of puberty, the psychology of guilt, and possible connections between madness and religious experience. The author implicitly invites readers to ponder two recurring themes: there are no simple answers to questions of why people act the way they do, and even the most deviant behaviors can be seen as "normal" behaviors taken to extremes. This book offers lots to think about. Highly recommended.-Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib., Coral Gables, Fla.

Library Journal

In a collection of 17 essays, most previously published, Sapolsky (behavioral biology, Stanford U.) writes playfully about the peculiar drives and intrinsic needs of humans. Among his topics are recent claims that wild primates know how to medicate themselves, the plethora of metaphors in science, firing squads and scientists, and the brain as the origin of both science and religion. No index or bibliography. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

"[T]he book makes for very interesting and enjoyable reading. Those who have read Sapolsky's earlier books will be familiar with his casual and accessible style of writing. Although the ideas he presents are complex and often provocative, the facts are kept relatively simple. Throughout, the science is interspersed with personal anecdotes and humorous asides."

Nature Medicine