MAN: The Mechanical Misfit

by G.H. Estabrooks ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 11, 1941

Quite unexpectedly, I was fascinated by this book -- a popular work on an unpopular thesis, that civilization brings destruction, and that the Cro-magnon was the almost perfect man beast! A rapid survey of the process of evolution, of the few survivals of ancient man, of how the white man, with the brain developed beyond the plan of nature, brings destruction. The disuse of the natural functions, the interference with natural selection, the protective elements of education, of civilization, has resulted in deterioration of the individual and the racial stock. The pleasure principle is a defense mechanism which has had bad effect. The development in medicine has preserved the weak and the feeble minded, has eliminated natural immunities, has lengthened life and increased degeneracy. He ends with a plea for selective breeding. One may disagree with every premise and still find this absorbing reading. Don't confine sale to scientific minded customers.

Pub Date: March 11, 1941

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1941

Categories: NONFICTION