The human animal: a personal view of the human species

Everything we do has an inborn, genetic basis, and all our activities show similarities to those of other species. Man is unique, though, in the way in which he has built on these animal patterns, exaggerating and elaborating them to an astounding degree or suppressing them with damaging consequences. Morris sets out to show that, despite our inclination to believe otherwise, human behaviour is full of animal instinct and reaction, and that whatever the species, we all share remarkable similarities. A fascinating, candid and entertaining exploration of man in the animal kingdom, this work sets out to expose our foibles and celebrate our triumphs in an attempt to understand emotion, language, social behaviour and custom. It also shows how, despite many fascinating superficial differences, every one of the 5000 million human beings alive today shares an almost identical genetic inheritance. Morris discusses the body language, gestures, facial expressions, sexual signals and the territorial instincts which, with slight variation, we all seem to share. Desmond Morris is a expert on animal and human behaviour. His television credits include presenting "Zootime", "The Animals Roadshow", and "The Animal Country". He is a bestselling author and has published numerous works, the most notable of which are: "Babywatching" (1991), "Animalwatching" (1990), "The Illustrated Naked Ape" (1986), "Bodywatching" (1985), "Manwatching" (1977), and "The Human Zoo" (1969).

This stunningly illustrated book provides new understanding of human behavior based on our almost identical genetic heritage. However much we may think we have evolved from our animal ancestors, Desmond Morris shows that our instinct and behavior are still rooted in our animal past. 140 full-color and 10 black-and-white photographs.

The companion to the major six-part TV series beginning January 4, 1995, this stunningly illustrated book provides new understanding of human behavior based on our almost identical genetic heritage. Both candid and entertaining, Morris's ideas will inspire to us rethink the past and to confront our true identity.

Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Introduction......Page 7 1 - The language of the body......Page 9 2 - The Hunting Ape......Page 49 3 - The Human Zoo......Page 83 4 - The Biology og Love......Page 117 5 - The Immortal Genes......Page 157 6 - Beyond Survival......Page 185 Acknowledgements......Page 217 Further books by Desmond Morris......Page 219 An exploration of man in the animal kingdom, this book exposes human foibles and celebrates human triumphs in an attempt to understand emotion, language, social behaviour and custom. It also shows how, despite many superficial differences, everyone shares an almost identical genetic inheritance. Om menneskets afstamning, dets kropssprog, dets rolle som socialt væsen og dets levevilkår Where the fuck is the book I just went through signing up for?