Testosterone

Sex, Power, and the Will to Win

By: Joe Herbert

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Hardcover | 30 April 2015

At a Glance

Hardcover
256 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22 x 14 x 2.5

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We inherit mechanisms for survival from our primeval past; none so obviously as those involved in reproduction. The hormone testosterone underlies the organization of activation of masculinity: it changes the body and brain to make a male. It is involved not only in sexuality but in driving aggression, competitiveness, risk-taking - all elements that were needed for successful survival and reproduction in the past. But these ancient systems are carried forward into a modern world. The ancient world shaped the human brain, but the modern world is shaped by that brain. How does this world, with all its cultural, political, and social variations, deal with and control the primeval role of testosterone, which continues to be essential for the survival of the species? Sex, aggression, winning, losing, gangs, war: the powerful effects of testosterone are entwined with them all. These are the ingredients of human history, so testosterone has played a central role in our story.

In Testosterone, Joe Herbert explains the nature of this potent hormone, how it operates in mammals in general and in humans in particular, what we know about its role in influencing various aspects of behaviour in men, and what we are beginning to understand of its role in women. From rape to gang warfare among youths, understanding the workings of testosterone is critical to enable us to manage its continuing powerful effects in modern society.

Industry Reviews

'Hormones' and 'a gripping read' rarely feature in the same sentence, but perhaps surprisingly to the science non-aficionados among us, Testosterone achieves precisely this: it whisks the reader through the multifaceted roles of testosterone with clarity and intriguing examples... Herbert has managed to produce a solid didactic experience in some of the biological aspects of sex and gender for those interested in biology as such, and also for those more inclined to wider gender issues alike. * Anna Hollingsworth, Varsity *
Herbert's book is refreshingly sensitive to the gamut of testosterone's effects * Newsweek Europe, Peter Leggatt *
It is the best of hormones, it is the worst of hormones. Joe Herbert leads a guided tour through human evolution using the multifaceted hormone as his lens and vehicle. * New Scientist, Bob Grant *
Testosterone is a very good read on an interesting subject * BBC Focus, Dr Dean Burnett *
Herbert's study makes clear that testosterone a small but powerful molecule has helped shape our history * Dr Ian Miller, Times Literary Supplement *
Testosterone ... provokes its readers into considering the role of our biological inheritance in influencing how we cope with modern society * Dr Ian Miller, Times Literary Supplement *
Herbert challenges us to pay closer attention to the role of our biological inheritance in shaping virtually all aspects of our existence * Dr Ian Miller, Times Literary Supplement *
an engaging whistlestop tour of the science surrounding [testosterone] * Daily Mail, Nick Rennison *
[A] concise account ... an intriguing introduction to the complex neurobiological, physiological and sociological functions of a small but truly remarkable molecule... * Matthew Salter, Nature Chemistry *

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