About This Book
The Secret of Our Success (2015) explores why humans dominate Earth despite being individually weaker and less capable than many other species. It argues that our success stems from cumulative cultural evolution – the ability to learn from others and build on knowledge accumulated across generations. It reveals how this process has shaped not just our societies but our very biology, from our oversized brains to our shrunken guts.
Who Should Read This?
- Thinkers questioning what separates humans from other species
- Students of human evolution and origins
- Parents seeking to understand the nature of childhood
About the Author
Joseph Henrich is the Ruth Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology at Harvard University and has held tenured positions across anthropology, psychology, economics, and human evolutionary biology. A leading researcher in cultural evolution, he is best known for his work on the relationship between culture and human genetics. His work has earned major honors, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and the Hayek Prize. Henrich is also the author of the bestselling The WEIRDest People in the World and the coauthor of Why Humans Cooperate.
