The Social Instinct

A phenomenally important book. The story of why we humans evolved to become such a wonderfully cooperative, social species, and what that means for the world today. Nichola Raihani will change the way we think about ourselves.

– Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins: How the Earth Shaped Human History
This is a superb book about how important cooperation is in biology, from molecules and cells to families and whole societies. – Alice Roberts
The Social Instinct is surprising, thoughtful and, best of all, endlessly entertaining, examining the puzzle and power of co-operation from the decks of the HMS Bounty to the babbling birds of the Kalahari. Absolutely loved it. – Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling
Excellent and illuminating * Wall Street Journal *
A well-written book, easy to read - a pleasing juxtaposition of insightful scientific theory with illuminating anecdotes – Richard Dawkins
Cooperation is at the heart of our bodies, our societies and our ecosystem. Nichola Raihani’s stunning book flips the selfish gene on its head, showing us not only how to better understand the world, but also how to change it. – Matthew Cobb, author of The Idea of the Brain
In this captivating book, Nichola Raihani … provides a compelling argument that cooperation is the secret of human success and yet has never been as crucial as it is now, during a global pandemic and with the threat of the climate crisis. I found this intriguing and beautifully written book hard to put down. – Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, author of Inventing Ourselves: The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain
How did our superpower of cooperation evolve against the odds? This engaging book wears its strong scientific credentials lightly. I could not put it down. – Uta Frith, Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Development, University College London
This is a glorious book, with an insight on every page. Above all it taught me that while our individual bodies and brains might reward comparison with our primate relatives, in understanding our social relations we would be much better off comparing the meerkat. And the naked mole-rat. And the bower bird. And the cleaner-fish. – Rory Sutherland, author of Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas that Don’t Make Sense
If you’ve ever wondered why people aren’t as cooperative as they ought to be, you’ll find the answer right here - mapped out in detail that is full of surprises at every page-turn. – Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, University of Oxford