The Book of Humans: A Brief History of Culture, Sex, War and the Evolution of Us

Review

Adam Rutherford is a superb communicator, who eruditely explores the borderlands of history, archaeology, genetics and anthropology in this fascinating tour of our species (DAN SNOW)

This superbly accessible discussion about who we humans really are is important and necessary (CHRIS PACKHAM)

Charming, compelling and packed with information. I learned more about biology from this short book than I did from years of science lessons. Adam Rutherford has a knack of making complex ideas understandable - and also fun. Our species is a lot stranger than I'd ever realised, but a lot more normal too. A weird and wonderful read (PETER FRANKOPAN)

An outstandingly clear and witty account that shows beyond doubt how much we are part of the animal world, and yet at the same time how different we have become (HENRY MARSH)

In Adam Rutherford's splendid The Book of Humans, we learn how giraffes enjoy homosexual assignations, how dolphins use sponges to protect their noses, and how birds of the raptor class have been observed picking up smouldering twigs from forest fires, flying away and dropping them to start new fires, at which point they swoop and gobble up the panicked mammals and lizards rushing away (Steven Poole DAILY TELEGRAPH)

Adam Rutherford is a master storyteller. THE BOOK OF HUMANS is packed to the brim with intriguing tales, clever twists and up-to-the-minute scientific discoveries, offering a completely new perspective on who we are and how we came to be (HANNAH FRY)

Adam Rutherford is a delightful, eclectic, hilarious and often filthy guide to what we know about human genetics. But even more than that, there are parts of this book I wish were graven into the walls of public buildings and above the desk of anyone who writes about science. Next time someone tells you that men "evolved" to behave in one way while women "evolved" to behave differently, pull out your copy of THE BOOK OF HUMANS and set them right (NAOMI ALDERMAN)

This delightful and charming book will change the way you see yourself, and your place in the natural world (ED YONG)

A book that is deftly outlined, concisely constructed and filled with intriguing observations and anecdotes. Rutherford is an engaging, witty writer ... An entertaining and blessedly succinct read (Robin McKie THE OBSERVER)

I've learned more about myself and my species than I thought possible. A beautiful, compassionate book exploring not just human nature but also the human condition. I'm more in love with Adam Rutherford's writing than ever (ANGELA SAINI)

About the Author

Dr Adam Rutherford is a science writer and broadcaster. He studied genetics at University College London, and during his PhD on the developing eye, he was part of a team that identified the first genetic cause of a form of childhood blindness. He has written and presented many award-winning series and programmes for the BBC, including the flagship weekly Radio 4 programme INSIDE SCIENCE and THE CURIOUS CASES OF RUTHERFORD & FRY with Dr Hannah Fry. He is the author CREATION, which was shortlisted for the Wellcome Trust Prize, A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYONE WHO EVER LIVED, THE BOOK OF HUMANS and HOW TO ARGUE WITH A RACIST.