Alas Poor Darwin

Sep 21, 2024 4:49 AM

Author:Hilary Rose,Steven Rose

Alas Poor Darwin

Today, genes are called upon to explain almost every aspect of our lives, from social inequalities to health, sexual preference and criminality. Based on Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection, Evolutionary Psychology with its claim that 'it's all in our genes' has become the most popular scientific theory of the late 20th century. Books such as Richard Dawkins's The Selfish Gene, Edward O.Wilson's Consilience and Steven Pinker's The Language Instinct have become bestsellers and frame the public debate on human life and development: we can see their influence as soon as we open a Sunday newspaper. In recent years, however, many biologists and social scientists have begun to contest this new biological determinism and shown that Evolutionary Psychology rests on shaky empirical evidence, flawed premises and unexamined political presuppositions. In this provocative and ground-breaking book, Hilary and Steven Rose have gathered together the most eminent and outspoken critics of this fashionable ideology, ranging from Stephen Jay Gould and Patrick Bateson to Mary Midgley, Tim Ingold and Annette Karmiloff-Smith. What emerges is a new perspective on human development which acknowledges the complexity of life by placing at its centre the living organism rather than the gene.

Reviews

There is much that is good in this book

—— New Statesman

David Attenborough wears his achievements lightly and there as many laughs here as there are animals

—— Michael Palin

Wright captures the fun of the countryside perfectly

—— THE SUNDAY TIMES

This moving tale is simply lovely

—— Sun

Dee's extraordinary, beautifully written account of a life spent watching birds is a fine addition to the flourishing genre of British nature writing

—— Sunday Times

Lyrical...sure to become a genuine addition to the literature of birds

—— Daily Express

What makes his book wonderful is his passion... He captures the thrill and puzzlement of watching birds as I have never previously seen it captured

—— Sunday Herald

Thrillingly original memoir ... extraordinary

—— Lynn Barber , The Sunday Times

To write a book about a year's bird-watching as keenly observed as this, you have to be dedicated to the point of obsession; to write one as transcendent, you must be a poet

—— Christopher Somerville , The Times, Christmas Books

As unexpected as it is brilliant... A moving, powerful meditation on the natural world that envelops us, even in the heart of our cities

—— Helen Dunmore , Guardian Summer Reading

Haunting and passionate.... in graceful, poetic prose, compels us to look again and marvel at the 'storm of life over our heads

—— Huon Mallalieu , Country Life, Christmas round up

The year's most unusual travel book

—— Tom Chesshyre , The Times

[An] eye-opening and hugely enjoyable book

—— Daily Telegraph

Written in a delectable prose that scatters flashes of poetry over a sardonic undertow of social comment, Edgelands is a lyrical triumph. On Britain’s grotty margins, the duo trace “desire paths” to find beauty and mystery in the rough darkness on the edge of town

—— Boyd Tonkin , Independent

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