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Behave

The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook edition of Behave by Robert Sapolsky, read by Michael Goldstrom.

The New York Times best seller

Winner of the 2017 LA Times Book Prize

Why do human beings behave as they do?

We are capable of savage acts of violence but also spectacular feats of kindness: is one side of our nature destined to win out over the other?

Every act of human behaviour has multiple layers of causation, spiralling back seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, even centuries, right back to the dawn of time and the origins of our species.
In the epic sweep of history, how does our biology affect the arc of war and peace, justice and persecution? How have our brains evolved alongside our cultures?

This is the exhilarating story of human morality and the science underpinning the biggest question of all: what makes us human?

© Robert M Sapolsky 2018 (P) Penguin Audio 2018

 Biological Sciences Biology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Thought-Provoking Mental Health Health Human Brain

Critic reviews

Awe-inspiring … This is the best scientific book written for non-specialists that I have ever read. You will learn more about human nature than in any other book I can think of, and you will be inspired (Henry Marsh, author of Do No Harm)
It’s no exaggeration to say that Behave is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read
Behave is the best detective story ever written, and the most important. If you've ever wondered why someone did something – good or bad, vicious or generous – you need to read this book. If you think you already know why people behave as they do, you need to read this book. In other words, everybody needs to read it. It should be available on prescription (side effects: chronic laughter; highly addictive). They should put Behave in hotel rooms instead of the Bible: the world would be a much better, wiser place (Kate Fox, author of Watching the English)
Magisterial … This extraordinary survey of the science of human behaviour takes the reader on an epic journey … Sapolsky makes the book consistently entertaining, with an infectious excitement at the puzzles he explains … a miraculous synthesis of scholarly domains (Steven Poole)
Truly all-encompassing … detailed, accessible, fascinating
Rarely does an almost 800-page book keep my attention from start to finish, but Behave is exceptional in its scale, scope, detail and writing style ... Sapolsky places what makes us special in the wider context of humans as animals with brains that are fundamentally similar to those of other species. It is the first book that does so comprehensively enough to qualify as a guide to human behaviour (Frans de Waal)
A miraculous book, by far the best treatment of violence, aggression, and competition ever. Its depth and breadth of scholarship are amazing, building on Sapolsky’s own research and his vast knowledge of the neurobiology, genetic, and behavioral literature. All this is done brilliantly with a light and funny touch that shows why Sapolsky is recognized as one of the greatest teachers in science today (Paul Ehrlich, author of Human Natures)
A great writer and a superb guide to human nature, Sapolsky shows you how all the perspectives and systems connect, and he makes you laugh and marvel along the way. A beautifully crafted work about the biology of morality (Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind)
One of the best scientist-writers of our time (Oliver Sacks)
Behave is like a great historical novel, with excellent prose and encylopedic detail. It traces the most important story that can ever be told (E O Wilson)
All stars
Most relevant
Monumental work for the general public, technically rigorous but approachable and engaging. Sapolsky's writing is well structured, clear and terse. I personally like his dry humor.

This is a book *EVERYONE* should read, as it is about a topic

that concerns everyone - why we behave the way we behave.

There's no real good reason to be oblivious about this

knowledge; it's fundamentally as necessary as basic human

biology to a functioning adult.

All the information contained, which might feel like too much, is included pragmatically and reasons for its inclusion are provided and justified properly. Theses are always presented with counterarguments and a neutral attitude. Theories that are uncertain are presented as such, but contextualized to highlight their relevance. The work of a true, great scientific mind.

A rare, once in a decade, life-changing book.

Should be taught in high school.

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Loved it! The book is info-heavy, so if you're looking for something light-wieght, it's not for you. But: if you're looking to learn about human condition, personality, culture, productivity, love, hate, war, morals, why are we so bad, why are we so good, is there free will, can people actually learn or change, how to become a hero, how to solve conflicts, how to navigate through this great adventure called life, what are the strategies, how to start listening to your parents, how to stop listening to your parents, how to care, how to stop caring and so much more..
This book is the most concise source of information about brains (not only humans). after it all the productivity/philosophy/politics-literature seems merely a repetition of the things said here. I cannot read those anymore (200-500 pages of the same idea that here gets one page of text)
what a journey, honestly! I'd give it 10 stars if I could

The best non-fiction ever existed

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great book but narration is not great. Robert Sapolsky would be so much better! please narate it.

Robert Sapolsky please narate

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I really can't praise this enough, so much information/knowledge. Having watched numerous videos of Roberts this was an absolute must! It did NOT disappoint.

Eye opening

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The information in this book is profound, although there were times I came away from it for long periods, due to frustration. The writer goes into overkill on many examples and needed to make a decision between textbook and science communication more often than he did. I believe the book could have been 10% shorter, although if you can listen to it at quite high speed it's made better. Stylistic issues aside, there is content that I value greatly, it can help a person take many things less personally in life, while improving the chances of spotting harmful patterns of thinking in oneself and others. The kind of harm that can result in the absolute worst of humanity. It would be good for everyone if these things were known more broadly.

Greatness and excess

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