Not really a surprising conclusion, but very interesting review of available studies and the historic nature/nurture debate.

My other favorite writer, next to Pinker. Ridley sets out to tear down the wall that has divided the "Nature vs Nurture" debate for centuries. Readable (as always from Ridley) and engrossing, this explains how environment can trigger genes, and how genes often determine which environments we choose. If you entertain any notion that humans are unique, this book will seek to change your minds. By far my favorite parts are in his descriptions of Bonobos, Gorillas, and chimps.

Supreme!I do not remember enjoying (which is very different from liking or learning from) any book more than I enjoyed reading Genome. This is a real sequel and in many ways it has the advantage of being focused.The main idea expressed in this book is that Genes are the underlying mechanisms for BOTH nature and nurture and as such these two are not in a fight they are collaborating factors. No matter how common-sensical this may be, many people for long time were against it.

While I agree with the central theme of the book, the author struggles to find the balance between an academic publication and a book for the general public. This book assumes knowledge of psychology, neurobiology, genetics, cultural anthropology, and sociology that are likely to be found only in people who have at minimum a BS degree and supplemental reading, or work experience in these fields. Reviews of pertinent studies in these fields are boring to those with this prior knowledge and insuff...

Quite a fascinating and an informative read.

GREAT BOOK - lots of science and even though it was published before the Human Genome project was finished, we (my book discussion group) could find nothing out of date about the data - basic premise: that Genes are not static but are an active and varying and incredibly wondrous part of the development of homo sapiens from conception to death. Many genes change sometimes as often as every second and sometimes as often as once in a lifetime and sometimes never depending on DNA switches that resp...

Nicely written examination of a subject which everyone should understand. He does his best to put the "nature vs nuture" debate to rest. Informative without being dry.

Nature vs. Nurture is a false dichotomy. Any modern understanding of biology, psychology, or anthropology recognizes the interplay of genetics with culture, that results in human behavior. On the one hand, genes convey inheritance of physiological or psychological capabilities that may be realized to various extent during growth and development. And in the other direction, individual and social behaviors can change which genes are promoted evolutionarily in the population. And yet, unstated simp...

Good book on the role played by genetics and experience on psychology and biology.

I wanted a decent scientific modern perspective on the nature vs nurture argument, but one that was suitable for the lay reader who does not have a strong academic background in science. This I picked up on a website as the book for me, and it certainly did not disappoint. Whilst there were a few bits that went over my head, and I certainly didn't absorb it all, I took in enough that I have a clear perspective on how the two exist in a mutually symbiotic relationship. Gone are the days of 'Is it...

This book is along the same lines as Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. The best thing I can do to review these two books together is list what I think their pros and cons are:Pros:1. Writing style: Ridley's writing style is engaging and humorous, yet not condescending. He respects his readers.2. Scientific content: The science is very detailed and cutting edge. Ridley goes beyond the high-level science you'll find in other books and discusses the latest research.3. Well sour...

A really good book.Pro:I takes a centrist view on things. It is basically science with no personal views or observations. This is the middle ground in the nature-nurture debate. Well written and short enough to not get boring. Basically all the basics on the debate and a great book.Con:Ridley knows a lot. He is a scientist. I would imagine that 90% of the non 5 stars reviews here are by people who got a bit stuck on the paragraphs talking about the studies and how they were done. It explains thi...

I read prologue, epilogue, and discussion of free will. Considering how (relatively) old this is, that's plenty.

I feel bad giving this book a rating, since it has been one of those rare ones that I decided to stop reading despite having only managed a few chapters. I did skim through a fair bit of the rest, and saw that the interesting facts and historical figures associated with the nurture-nature debate persist throughout the book. Those were the bits that made it informative and interesting. But I had some serious issues with some of Ridley's opinions disguised as fact, as well as some technical choice...

The best book I have ever read on the nature-nurture debate. Ridley is an engaging author who weaves a tapestry of science, politics, history and anecdote. The binding thread is famous scientists and philosophers who have framed the nature-nurture debate over the past few hundred years. All of them have introduced profound insights, and if you were to put them all in a room together, then surely their bushy beards would all get tangled up.Apart from the human and political element, I loved Ridle...

Matt Ridley doesn't disappoint. Similar to Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters or The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature, both highly engrossing reads where he managed to be both accessible yet detailed enough to please lay readers willing to delve deeper than your usual pop science book, here's another masterpiece set to become a classic. Please note the telling title -it's not about nature vs nurture, but a view which seems to flip our understanding of human nat...

Very well written and thorough, pleasantly accessible to the layman. Much of this material was familiar to me, but I read a lot about this topic. Nevertheless enjoyed it greatly, I really like Matt Ridley's style.

This was my first science book that I read for leisure and I must say it has got me hooked on the genre. I loved Ridley's style - the humor, logic, experiments and his own thoughts. I wish there were more authors writing not-so-technical science books in my own area of expertise.

I love this author. He is direct with his examples, moves quickly and yet you never feel like you miss a step. It's always very fluid and easy with Ridley. I preferred both the Genome and the Red Queen to this however, if you have yet to read much on the subject of genetics those would be a better start. Not because anything in this one is incomprehensible in the least bit without any other knowledge, but more just because if you had to pick any one of these awesome texts those would be a better...

A detailed, readable and witty treatise on how life is controlled by genes (nature) and how life controls genes (nurture). The research, the ideas, the roots of various theories of understanding from 100 years or more to studies that are quite current are all layed out.I've listened to audio tapes of the book for a couple of years, and am now going carefully through the book, to locate and home in on specific details that I need to study to fully grasp.The book is a marvelously readable compendi...