‘In this fluent and fascinating book, Steve Stewart-Williams explains whether, how and above all why men and women, like most mammals, have somewhat different brains as well as different bodies.’ – Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen, The Rational Optimist, and Birds, Sex and Beauty
‘After a billion years of sex differences, it’s time for a clear, balanced account of what they mean for us—and A Billion Years of Sex Differences delivers. Stewart-Williams explains, with authority and wit, how our evolved differences play out in dating, mating, and parenting, and why facing these facts is essential for a fairer, more compassionate society. If anyone doubts the relevance of evolution to human behavior, hand them this book.‘ – Carole Hooven, author of T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us
‘In A Billion Years of Sex Differences, evolutionary psychologist Steve Stewart-Williams has penned the best scientific work on the subject to date—and it has the added bonus of being a gripping good read.’ – Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, author of Why Darwin Matters, The Moral Arc, Conspiracy, and Truth
‘With his latest book, Stewart-Williams provides an eminently logical, readable, and entertaining account of the what, when, where, why, and how of sex differences. This book will be a classic – it is engaging, clear, and informative from cover to cover, and had me chuckling nearly as often as I said, ‘Aha!’ I’m already planning to use it in my classes!’ – April Bleske-Rechek, Professor of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
‘A terrific book—scholarly and anchored in the most current science, yet also highly engaging and readable for any audience. It’s sure to become a classic on the fascinating science of sex differences. Reading it will give women and men alike a deeper understanding of each other.’ – David Buss, Professor of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, author of The Evolution of Desire and Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind
‘A fascinating and thorough exploration of psychological sex differences. Fully accessible to newcomers, yet far-reaching enough to be worthwhile to seasoned readers, it challenges both the progressive tendency to minimise sex differences in pursuit of equality-as-sameness and the conservative impulse to exaggerate them to uphold rigid gender roles. With clarity, rigour, and wit, Steve Stewart-Williams demonstrates that evolutionary psychology can help us understand what is true about sex differences without losing sight of individual variation, freedom and dignity’ – Helen Pluckrose, author of Cynical Theories
‘One of my favourite topics from one of the best psychology writers alive. Spectacular’ – Chris Williamson, author, speaker, host of the Modern Wisdom Podcast
‘I thought I’d get bored after half a billion years of sex differences, but this engaging, well-written and funny book kept me hooked to the end’ – Jimmy Carr, comedian, writer, television host
‘This lucid and vivid book cuts through the fog and balderdash surrounding the conversation about sex differences in our species. It is balanced and careful, informative and engaging, and it offers a way forward to anyone who wants to avoid the harms that can come from either minimizing or exaggerating differences between men and women’ – Nicholas Christakis, MD, PhD, Sterling Professor of Social and Natural Science, Yale University, author of Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society
‘Fearless, fascinating, and fair-minded — a beautifully written exploration of how and why women and men differ. Stewart-Williams is especially impressive in how he handles controversy: he argues without swagger, resists caricature, and takes opposing views seriously. I can’t think of a better book on the science of sex differences’ Paul Bloom, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University, author of Psych: The Story of the Human Mind
‘You don’t know about men and women until you’ve read Steve Stewart-Williams. This is unvarnished and always fascinating truth from one of the world’s leading authorities and most entertaining writers on sex differences’ Will Storr, author of The Status Game and The Science of Storytelling
Praise for The Ape That Understood the Universe:
‘An eloquent and elegant exploration of human nature in the light of evolution, illuminating many modern social and political dilemmas’ – Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen and Nature via Nurture
‘The best update of the gene’s-eye view I have seen for a long time. This book will turn your view of human nature inside out and upside down’ – Susan Blackmore, author of The Meme Machine and Consciousness: An Introduction
‘Takes the reader from first principles to a deep understanding of the evolutionary and cultural underpinnings of human behaviour. Not only has Stewart-Williams produced a work of deep understanding, he has also produced one which is a real page turner. A twenty-first century successor to The Selfish Gene‘ – Lance Workman, co-author of Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction
‘A great introduction to human nature … Stewart-Williams shows how genes and memes entwine to explain our deepest concerns and our highest aspirations. This fun, easy-going, science-savvy book will make you smarter about your emotions, your relationships, and your society’ – Geoffrey Miller, author of The Mating Mind, Spent and Mate
‘A captivating, page-turning, voyage of discovery. Stewart-Williams is not only an experienced evolutionary psychologist but also a talented and insightful writer with a memorable turn of phrase’ – The Psychologist
‘A sharp, fun, contemporary, succinct overview that best represents evolutionary psychology and also covers the basics of cultural evolutionary theory’ – Human Nature
‘A thrilling review of our best explanations of human behaviour at a time when such theories are under attack … a wonderful entry point into learning how the scientific method works – it doesn’t care what you believe, nor what you wish were true’ – Aero
