THE HUMAN ANIMAL

by Phil Donahue ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 19, 1985

TV moderator Donahue Ides his hand at pop biology, but delivers a mishmash of information on humans and human nature that cuts too wide a swath to address any one topic adequately. Using a format similar to his TV show, Donahue plays ""host"" here, too: assembling a panel of experts to provide the research, prodding these experts by posing countless questions, and attempting to synthesize a m‚lange of facts, theories and conjecture. The book wends its way past such subjects as human evolution, the workings of the brain, nature vs. nurture, the difference between the sexes, sex roles, the nature of violence and aggression, child development and rearing. Freudian psychology, and religion. Throughout, Donahue draws interesting comparisons between modern society and other, less ""advanced"" cultures and tribes, including ones in Africa, New Guinea and Australia. But he has bitten off too much here and it shows; individual subjects are given short shrift (evolution merits 12 pages), with subtle theoretical nuances often glossed over. This is the tube in book form (indeed The Human Animal is the companion volume for a forthcoming TV special). Tailor-made for this TV audience, the book is chatty, colloquial (""Why are we the sexiest animal?""; ""the first primates were not so lovable"") and certainly accessible, but too glib and simplistic to be called serious science. In short, a very basic introduction to human behavior. For Donahue fans only; science buffs should stay away.

Pub Date: Aug. 19, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION