Demonic males : apes and the origins of human violence

Whatever their virtues, men are more violent than women. Why do men kill, rape, and wage war, and what can we do about it? Demonic Males offers startling new answers to these questions. Drawing on the latest discoveries about human evolution and about our closest living relatives, the great apes, the book unfolds a compelling argument that the secrets of a peaceful society may well be, first, a sharing of power between males and females, and second, a high level and variety of sexual activity, both homosexual and heterosexual. Dramatic, vivid, and sometimes shocking, but firmly grounded in meticulous scientific research, Demonic Males will stir controversy and debate. It will be required reading for anyone concerned about the spiral of violence undermining human society. Whatever Their Virtues, Men Are More Violent Than Women. Why Do Men Kill, Rape, And Wage War, And What Can We Do About It? Drawing On The Latest Discoveries About Human Evolution And About Our Closest Living Relatives, The Great Apes, Demonic Males Offers Startling New Answers To These Questions. Dramatic, Vivid, And Sometimes Shocking, But Firmly Grounded In Meticulous Scientific Research, Demonic Males Will Stir Controversy And Debate. It Will Be Required Reading For Anyone Concerned About The Spiral Of Violence Undermining Human Society. Paradise Lost -- Time Machine -- Roots -- Raiding -- Paradise Imagined -- A Question Of Temperament -- Relationship Violence -- The Price Of Freedom -- Legacies -- The Gentle Ape -- Message From The Southern Forests -- Taming The Demon -- Kakama's Doll. Richard Wrangham And Dale Peterson. A Mariner Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [301]-330) And Index. Whatever their virtues, men are more violent than women. Why do men kill, rape, and wage war, and what can we do about it? Drawing on the latest discoveries about human evolution and about our closest living relatives, the great apes, Demonic Males offers some startling new answers. Dramatic, vivid, and firmly grounded in meticulous research, this book will change the way you see the world. As the San Francisco Chronicle said, it "dares to dig for the roots of a contentious and complicated subject that makes up much of our daily news." Front Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents 1: Paradise Lost 2: Time Machine 3: Roots 4: Raiding 5: Paradise Imagined 6: A Question of Temperament 7: Relationship Violence 8: The Price of Freedom 9: Legacies 10: The Gentle Ape 11: Message from the Southern Forests 12: Taming the Demon 13: Kakama's Doll Family Trees Maps Notes Bibliography Acknowledgments Index "YOU WILL BE KILLED!" the man at the Burundian embassy in Kampala said, in a bizarrely cheerful voice, as he stamped our visas.