Author:Jared Diamond
From the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Guns, Germs and Steel
More than 98 % of human genes are shared with two species of chimpanzee. The 'third' chimpanzee is man.
Jared Diamond surveys our life-cycle, culture, sexuality and destructive urges both towards ourselves and the planet to explore the ways in which we are uniquely human yet still influenced by our animal origins.
Eloquent and knowledgeable account of the tiny genetic difference between humans and chimps
—— IndependentSome biologists are just scientists; but some truly are thinkers. Jared Diamond is one of the latter. Whatever he applies himself to, his contribution is original and worthwhile
—— Colin TudgeA fascinating portrait with more than enough uncomfortable facts to stop any dinner-party conversation in its tracks - an important book
—— Financial TimesConfirms Diamond as an impressive scholar and popularizer-an enjoyable, stimulating and audacious book
—— NatureA certain amount of depression and anger does result from reading Andrew Blackwell’s Visit Sunny Chernobyl, but Blackwell is such a good and amusing travel writer, such an engaging companion around the awfulness, that you’ll also come away somewhat entertained
—— Doug Johnstone , The Big IssueBlackwell is a very good writer, with laconic, graphic and gently ironic style, at times reminiscent of both Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway …Visit Sunny Chernobyl inspires rather than scares
—— Engineering & Technology MagazineA wise, witty travel adventure that packs a punch - and one of the most entertaining and informative books I've read in years. Visit Sunny Chernobyl is a joy to read and will make you think
—— Dan RatherEvery now and again a ray of sunshine lifts the usual gloom-and-doom of environmental crises and this witty, warm and refreshingly honest tour of the netherworld of modern life offers a particularly bright one ... Andrew Blackwell wades into the world's worst pollution hotspots with an engaging combination of curiosity and open-mindedness. This is much more than a guide book to ecological devastation. It is a moving and often hilarious story of human dignity rising above unimaginable squalor
—— David Shukman, Science Editor, BBC News, and author of An Iceberg as Big as ManhattanSplendid, readable and engaging on philosophy as a way of life.
—— Chief Rabbi Lord SacksA vibrant book, showing how vivid and topical ancient wisdom is to life in the present day.
—— Anthony Seldon, Headmaster, Wellington CollegeGreat insight, honesty and humour
—— Louise Chunn, editor, Psychologies MagazineUnputdownable!
—— Kristjan Kristjansson, author of Aristotle, Emotions and EducationPacked with wisdom yet up to date with the latest thinking
—— Tom Butler-Bowdon, author of 50 Philosophy ClassicsFantastic
—— Neil Denny, Little AtomsA truly compelling book, savage and sparkling by turns
—— Kathryn Hughes , Mail on SundayAlan Root’s overflowing life as a dedicated, adventurous film-maker and naturalist is almost the story of wild East Africa itself in those glorious and tragic years surrounding the advent of political independence…a fresh, honest, often moving (and humorous) account, a terrific contribution to the literature
—— Peter MatthiessenRequired reading for anyone who wants to experience the joys and sorrows of conservation in today's Africa
—— Wilbur SmithRoot’s enthralling memoir…is the best true-life adventure story to come out of Africa for years
—— Sunday TelegraphHis is a funny, harrowing, beautifully written love letter to Africa
—— Christopher Hart , Sunday TimesIn this captivating memoir [Root] documents his brushes in the bush and his passion for wildlife
—— Big Issue in the NorthOscar-nominated filmmaker Root has written the most extraordinary love letter to Africa – packed with drama and knowledge, tragedy and hope... A completely gripping and important study of this complex and disappearing natural environment
—— Sally Morris , Daily MailHis is an extraordinary story laced with tragedy
—— Mail on Sunday[Root's] life story, vividly related here, is crammed with incident and adventure. Curious, creative and fearless, he has diced with death on numerous occasions and been mauled several times in his efforts to capture the daily lives of everything from silver-back gorillas to leopards in the wild on film. A gripping account of a life well lived
—— Good Book Guide