Human Story

Robin Dunbar is currently Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford University and a Fellow of Magdalen College. His principal research interest is the evolution of sociality. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1998. His books include The Trouble with Science, 'an eloquent riposte to the anti-science lobby' (Sunday Times), and Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language. The Human Story was described as 'fizzing with recent research and new theories' in the Sunday Times and 'punchy and provocative' by the New Scientist. How Many Friends Does One Person Need?: Dunbar's Number and Other Evolutionary Quirks was published in 2010.

"'Fizzing with recent research and new theories.' Sunday Times A wonderfully readable, up-to-the-minute account of human evolution that has completely superseded The Naked Ape, by 'one of the most respected evolutionary psychologists in Britain.' Guardian 'Deserves its place at the high table [of popular science]... This important, accessible book also leaves us with a sobering message: we might be different, but that doesn't make us better.' Jack magazine 'Punchy and provocative... This isn't a book of facts and figures; it is one of ideas. Dunbar certainly delivers, whether it is about why we have religion, how evolving language went through a musical phase, or how we avoid having sex with people by making them laugh.' New Scientist 'Should be required reading for all humans' Herald"