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Different

What Apes Can Teach Us About Gender
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( 2,077 ratings, 314 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Different by Frans de Waal delves into the science of gender, examining similarities and differences across human and animal species. Using examples from the natural world, de Waal challenges stereotypes and explores the biological foundations of gender, ultimately encouraging readers to rethink their perceptions of identity and behaviour.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the complexities of gender and sex in the animal kingdom and humans. The author, an expert primatologist, explores how nature's diversity in these realms can challenge traditional scientific perspectives and societal norms. If you're interested in the intersection of science, nature, and societal issues, this insightful examination may captivate you.

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A ground-breaking look at gender and sex from the world's leading primatologist and New York Times bestselling author of ARE WE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW SMART ANIMALS ARE?

A ground-breaking look at gender and sex from the world's leading primatologist and New York Times bestselling author of ARE WE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW SMART ANIMALS ARE?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Different is a ground-breaking look at gender and sex from the world's leading primatologist and New York Times bestselling author of Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?

'Brilliant and fascinating... brings a scientific, compassionate and balanced approach to some of the hottest controversies about sex and gender' β€” Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

How different are the sexes? Is gender uniquely human? Where does gender identity originate?

Drawing on decades of observing our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, world-renowned primatologist Frans de Waal explores what we know of biological sex differences and the role of culture and socialisation.

From maternal and paternal behaviour to sexual orientation, gender identity, and the limitations of the gender binary, de Waal analyses our shared evolutionary history with the apes, considering what is similar and what sets us apart. Male and female networking groups, sexual signals, the existence of gender non-conforming individuals, and maternal bonds are observed in primate societies, but humans stand apart in the development of nuclear families, the prevalence of sexual violence, and joint parental care.

With expert insight and engaging storytelling, de Waal not only sets right gendered biases in the scientific community but also delivers a fresh and thought-provoking understanding of the behavioural norms and the many remarkable potentials of the human species.

'A breath of fresh air... Fascinating, nuanced and very timely' β€” Rutger Bregman, author of Humankind and Utopia for Realists

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Frans de Waal's Different receives praise for its insightful and balanced exploration of sex and gender, with a focus on both human and animal behaviour. The book is celebrated for its engaging storytelling, nuanced approach, and relevant discussions, sparking conversations on societal prejudices and biological perspectives. Critics admire de Waal's ability to blend humour, science, and profound insights, offering a fresh look at the complexities of primate evolution and human gender differences.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783787326

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 April 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 311g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Frans de Waal is the author of the New York Times bestseller Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? (Granta, 2016), and Mama''s Last Hug (Granta 2018), winner of the PEN award for non-fiction, among many other books. Named one of Time''s 100 Most Influential People, he is the emeritus C. H. Candler Professor of Psychology at Emory University and emeritus Distinguished Professor at the University of Utrecht. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

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