‘A brilliant, lucid insight into the profound implications of modern biological thinking … With this book Matt Ridley establishes himself as one of the finest of contemporary science writers’

Bryan Appleyard

‘Are we driven by a profoundly selfish, determinist impulse?

OR is there an escape clause that enables us to be genuinely unselfish and good? … In an era in which biological science is challenging traditional ethics, he has raised the debate to a new level of seriousness and importance … a fine and intelligent writer’

John Cornwell in the Sunday Times

‘Enthralling and provocative

up with the very best products of this golden age of accessible science writing … A fascinating and illuminating argument’

Penelope Lively in the Daily Telegraph

‘Matt Ridley’s splendid book studies co-operation (and conflict) from the genes themselves to modern technological societies … 'Our minds have been built by selfishness, but they have been built to be social, trustworthy and co-operative.

That is the paradox this book has tried to explain.’

It has done it brilliantly’

A.S. Byatt in the Express on Sunday

‘The thesis is attractive and well supported with evidence drawn from many disciplines’

Laurence Hurst in the New Scientist

‘A tour de force

dashing, apophthegmatic, ingenious in argument and beautifully constructed

Galen Strawson in The Times Literary Supplement