Bibliograph

The evolution of beauty, how Darwin's forgotten theory of mate choice shapes the animal world-- and us, Richard O. Prum

Type

Label

The evolution of beauty, how Darwin's forgotten theory of mate choice shapes the animal world-- and us, Richard O. Prum

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [387]-404) and index

Illustrations

platesillustrationsmaps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The evolution of beauty

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

967133880

Responsibility statement

Richard O. Prum

Sub title

how Darwin's forgotten theory of mate choice shapes the animal world-- and us

Summary

What can explain the incredible diversity of beauty in nature? Richard O. Prum, an award-winning ornithologist, discusses Charles Darwin's second and long-neglected theory--aesthetic mate choice--and what it means for our understanding of evolution. In addition, Prum connects those same evolutionary dynamics to the origins and diversity of human sexuality, offering riveting new thinking about the evolution of human beauty and the role of mate choice, thereby transforming our ancestors from typical infanticidal primates into socially intelligent, pair-bonding caregivers. Prum's book is an exhilarating tour de force that begins in the trees and ends by fundamentally challenging how we understand human evolution and ourselves. --, adapted from book jacket

Table Of Contents

Darwin's really dangerous idea -- Beauty happens -- Manakin dances -- Aesthetic innovation and decadence -- Make way for duck sex -- Beauty from the beast -- Bromance before romance -- Human beauty happens too -- Pleasure happens -- The Lysistrata effect -- The queering of Homo sapiens -- This aesthetic view of life

Classification