Drunk
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Drunk
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Drunk
An "entertaining and enlightening" deep dive into the alcohol-soaked origins of civilization-and the evolutionary roots of humanity's appetite for intoxication (Daniel E. Lieberman, author of Exercised).
In Drunk, Edward Slingerland embarks on an enthralling exploration of why humans have an enduring desire to consume alcohol and other intoxicants. Taking readers on a journey through time and across various cultures, Slingerland unearths the deep-rooted reasons behind our fascination with drunkenness and intoxication. As he delves into the mysteries of human behaviour, Slingerland provides a rich tapestry of intriguing case studies and scientific insights that challenge conventional wisdom and illuminate the pivotal role of intoxication in human evolution and society.
While plenty of entertaining books have been written about the history of alcohol and other intoxicants, none have offered a comprehensive, convincing answer to the basic question of why humans want to get high in the first place. Drunk elegantly cuts through the tangle of urban legends and anecdotal impressions that surround our notions of intoxication to provide the first rigorous, scientifically-grounded explanation for our love of alcohol. Drawing on evidence from archaeology, history, cognitive neuroscience, psychopharmacology, social psychology, literature, and genetics, Drunk shows that our taste for chemical intoxicants is not an evolutionary mistake, as we are so often told.
In fact, intoxication helps solve a number of distinctively human challenges: enhancing creativity, alleviating stress, building trust, and pulling off the miracle of getting fiercely tribal primates to cooperate with strangers. Our desire to get drunk, along with the individual and social benefits provided by drunkenness, played a crucial role in sparking the rise of the first large-scale societies. We would not have civilization without intoxication.
Slingerland's engaging narrative spans from marauding Vikings and bacchanalian orgies to sex-starved fruit flies, blind cave fish, and problem-solving crows. Drunk is packed with fascinating case studies and engaging science, as well as practical takeaways for individuals and communities. The result is a captivating and long overdue investigation into humanity's oldest indulgence—one that explains not only why we want to get drunk, but also how it might actually be good for us to tie one on now and then.
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?
Drunk by Edward Slingerland is widely praised for its witty and erudite exploration of alcohol’s role in human civilisation. Reviews highlight the book's blend of history, anthropology, and science, offering deep insights while maintaining an entertaining narrative. It is described as a refreshing and thought-provoking study, underlining alcohol's influence on social trust, innovation, and human cooperation. Critics commend its engaging style and substantial scholarly foundation, making it an enlightening read on a complex subject.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780316453356
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 October 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: Little, Brown & Company
Illustration: 5 -10 b/w illus. run w/ text
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 138.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 340g
Pages: 384
About the Author
Edward Slingerland is Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia, with adjunct appointments in Psychology and Philosophy, as well as Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Human Evolution, Cognition and Culture and Director of the Database of Religious History. Slingerland is the author of Trying Not to Try, which was named one of the best books of 2014 by The Guardian and Brain Pickings and was the subject of a piece by John Tierney in the New York Times. He has given talks on the science and power of spontaneity at a variety of venues across the world, including TEDx Maastricht and two Google campuses, and has done numerous interviews on TV, radio, blogs, and podcasts, including NPR, the BBC World Service and the CBC.
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