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The Social Conquest of Earth

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( 4,318 ratings, 448 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
The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson delves into the evolutionary trajectory of social behaviours in humans and other species. The book examines how cooperation and competition shape societies and the survival strategies that emerge from these dynamics. Wilson explores the role of social structures in advancing humanity's dominance on Earth, blending biology, anthropology, and evolutionary theory.
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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 intricate ways in which humans, ants, and other social creatures have achieved dominance on Earth through cooperation and social structures. It's ideal for those interested in exploring how evolutionary biology and anthropology intertwine to shape human society and our shared history.

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New York Times Bestseller and Notable Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Book of the Year (Nonfiction) Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence (Nonfiction) From the most celebrated heir to Darwin comes a groundbreaking book on evolution, the summa work of Edward O. Wilson's legendary career.

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

Where did we come from? What are we? Where are we going? In a generational work of clarity and passion, one of our greatest living scientists directly addresses these three fundamental questions of religion, philosophy, and science while overturning the famous theory that evolution naturally encourages creatures to put family first (Discover magazine).

Refashioning the story of human evolution in a work that is certain to generate headlines, Wilson draws on his remarkable knowledge of biology and social behaviour to show that group selection, not kin selection, is the primary driving force of human evolution. He proves that history makes no sense without prehistory, and prehistory makes no sense without biology.

Demonstrating that the sources of morality, religion, and the creative arts are fundamentally biological in nature, Wilson presents us with the clearest explanation ever produced as to the origin of the human condition and why it resulted in our domination of the Earth's biosphere.

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?

Edward O. Wilson's The Social Conquest of Earth has been praised for its comprehensive exploration of human and insect evolution, drawing thought-provoking parallels between our social behaviours and those of other species. Many reviewers highlight Wilson’s ability to synthesize biology with the humanities to provide fresh insights into the origins of human culture, covering topics such as art, religion, and language. While some find his theories provocative, the book's clear and engaging analysis makes it a captivating read, and it has sparked significant discussion and debate in both scientific and literary circles.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780871403636

Publisher: W W Norton & Co Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 April 2013

Country: United States

Imprint: Liveright Publishing Corporation

Illustration: 90 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 211.0mm

Weight: 273g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Edward O. Wilson (1929-2021) was the author of more than thirty books, including Anthill,Β Letters to a Young Scientist, and The Conquest of Nature. The winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, Wilson was a professor emeritus at Harvard University and lived with his wife in Lexington, Massachusetts.

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