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Behave

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Behave

By: Robert M. Sapolsky
Narrated by: Michael Goldstrom
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook edition of Behave by Robert Sapolsky, read by Michael Goldstrom.

The New York Times best seller.

Winner of the 2017 LA Times Book Prize.

Why do human beings behave as they do?

We are capable of savage acts of violence but also spectacular feats of kindness: is one side of our nature destined to win out over the other?

Every act of human behaviour has multiple layers of causation, spiralling back seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, even centuries, right back to the dawn of time and the origins of our species.

In the epic sweep of history, how does our biology affect the arc of war and peace, justice and persecution? How have our brains evolved alongside our cultures?

This is the exhilarating story of human morality and the science underpinning the biggest question of all: what makes us human?

©2018 Robert M Sapolsky (P)2018 Penguin Audio
Evolution History Psychology Genetics Thought-Provoking Mental Health Human Brain Young Adult
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Critic reviews

"Awe-inspiring.... You will learn more about human nature than in any other book I can think of." (Henry Marsh)

"One of the best scientist-writers of our time." (Oliver Sacks)

What listeners say about Behave

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Brillant book, covering interesting topics in more detail than other similar books

Covers science in a detailed but yet accessible way. Worth sticking with it because it becomes easier and more enjoyable to read as you go through

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great book, great narration!

I'm very impressed by the narration! It's not easy to remain entertaining and bubbly on a science book. The book itself is entertaining and bubbly overall but there are some passages that are more technical and still the narration is really easy to listen to. The content is absolutely fascinating!

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7 people found this helpful

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Not for the Casual Reader

This was a fascinating listen but some of it was way over my head. I think the book is aimed at academics, particularly those concerned with Biology, Psychology and the Social Sciences. It is not for the casual reader!

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2 people found this helpful

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Absolutely fascinating - wish it was longer!

What a listen! I loved every minute of this book and found it absolutely riveting.

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Best Book on Neuroscience

Much respect to DR Robert for sharing his Deep knowledge with us and I hope I see more of your great books in future

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Fascinating look at behaviour from all angles

I found the approach of the book really interesting - it looks at the causes of behaviour going through different time scales. With this method, it is able to take in lots of academic disciplines that try to explain behaviour. From the initial signals in the nervous system, the hormonal system, through the environment of the individual, to the the genes and to the wider culture. It’s quite a lot to fit in but I think he just about manages it! My only issue is I don’t think he covers enough on human positive action and the psychology of that as I think that is a very important lens through which to see human behaviour. As the author believes free will is something of an illusion I suppose that’s not surprising. Also there are plenty of books out there with this as a focus so I can’t complain. Still a great book!
I found the narrator a bit irritating at first - at 1.2 speed it was much easier to concentrate.

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Just brilliant

For anyone interested in how their brain works this is most illuminating.
For anyone interested in how groups, religions, nations work it is even more fascinating.
I’ll have to listen to it again.

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A very accessible book on a very complex subject.

Robert Sapolsky writes in an engaging way, yet manages a thorough over view of current thinking on a very complex subject.

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3 people found this helpful

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Good for curious geeks who drive long distances.

I have been educated. I've read his work before, it's nice to have it read to you.

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life's complicated but interesting

lots of good details sometimes making the point a little obscure.
worh the effort.

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