Woman that Never Evolved (Paper) - Softcover

Hrdy, Sb

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674955412 ISBN 13: 9780674955417

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1990

Synopsis

Sarah Blaffer Hardy argues that evolutionary theorists' emphasis on sexual competition among males for access to females overlooks selection pressures on females themselves. She offers an account of what female primates themselves actually do to secure their own reproductive advantage.

About this title

Review

The bulk of the book represents an attempt to create a perspective on the evolutionary biology of women by evaluating their female primate heritage. These chapters are original, high quality formulations presenting and explaining the behavior of female primates using a combination of sociobiological and socioecological principles of analysis...The book is written toward a borderline between the scientific and the popular audience--not an easy thing to do--but, by and large, Hrdy does just that. For this reason, the book has a place in both research and teaching.--Jane B. Lancaster "American Journal of Physical Anthropology " It is an understatement to say that this is a provocative essay. Although the book is written for a general audience, it will compel specialists to reconsider many of their assumptions about the evolution of primate females. Those interested in evolutionary influences upon human social behavior will be stimulated and challenged. Undoubtedly, many of the hypotheses will be controversial, and some may be disturbing.--Joan B. Silk "Ethnology and Sociology " This is a splendid book. It is a scientific treatise on primate sex and status, successfully masquerading as a good read. Of course, you may distrust or dislike Hrdy's conclusions. If so, she has left off the carapace of jargon so that anyone can stand up and argue with her.--Alison Jolly "American Scientist " In its treatment of primate behavior, Hrdy's book has no peers...[It is] a fascinating account of the selective pressures that have shaped the behavior of males and females.--Dorothy Cheney "Science "

About the Author

Sarah Blaffer Hrdy is Professor Emerita of Anthropology at University of California-Davis.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674955412
• ISBN 13: 9780674955417
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 266