At our book club meeting for this book, someone had a great idea to go around and say what we hated the most about the book. The funniest answer was - the subtitle: From Dating, Shopping, and Praying to Going to War and Becoming a Billionaire - Two Evolutionary Psychologists Explain Why We Do What We Do. I actually hated this book so much I can't bare to write much about it, aside from saying Evolutionary Psychology seems to be a new and suspect field in which "scientists" claim that basically, everything we do is motivated by the urge to spread our seed, as it were. Of course, it's a ridiculous argument and there are like, four THOUSAND reasons it's ridiculous.
I'd go so far as to say that this book is dangerous and could easily inspire racism and sexism while excusing inexcusable behavior by claiming that the offender is merely following his natural, biological impulses. One of my friends said, "That book makes me angry beyond words. I would like to hunt down the author and punch him in the face." Me too! Not only that, but a room-full of librarians, book lovers and liberals agreed we'd all like to go out in the street and burn every copy we could get our hands on.
I would never suggest you read this book unless you enjoy being outraged.
3 comments:
Wow, this book actually sounds interesting if it can arouse such passions!
Unfortunately, Anonymous, it's really lame, and you will want the time you spent reading it back. Just grab a book of Tall Tales, read them as gospel, and you'll be good to go. :)
Come on ladies. (and gentlemen?) perhaps Kanazawa stretches the application of evolutionary adaptation in a few places - but much of this book comports with hundreds of pieces of scientific literature from evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary psychology. The truth hurts and is politically incorrect. Have any of you read the E.P. literature? Check your outrage and continue reading more of the scientific journals. Kanazawa is just a bit too commercial and in your face.
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