The Third Chimpanzee

The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal

By: Jared Diamond

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

The Development of an Extraordinary Species
We human beings share 98 percent of our genes with chimpanzees. Yet humans are the dominant species on the planet -- having founded civilizations and religions, developed intricate and diverse forms of communication, learned science, built cities, and created breathtaking works of art -- while chimps remain animals concerned primarily with the basic necessities of survival. What is it about that two percent difference in DNA that has created such a divergence between evolutionary cousins? In this fascinating, provocative, passionate, funny, endlessly entertaining work, renowned Pulitzer Prize–winning author and scientist Jared Diamond explores how the extraordinary human animal, in a remarkably short time, developed the capacity to rule the world . . . and the means to irrevocably destroy it.

Completely fascinating and absorbing

This was the second Jared Diamond I've read and the first in his series of three. It was written in the early 90's and while some things have changed, the overall message is very much the same and of course the history is the same history.

The conclusions he draws are pessimistic and a cause for worry in the 90's, and they still are, but I do think that more people are hearing the ecologists warnings and taking heed - I sure hope so for his forecast of doom for half our species worldwide is a hell of an inheritance to hand over.

Its a book that makes you stop and think and hopefully react too - it has me and I hope it does you too. Highly recommended and should be compulsory reading for leaders of nations and corporate decision makers!

surprisingly contemporary

I didn't realize until the narrator read the original publish date at the end that this book is from 1992. often times, books like this show their age in the shadow of a changing word--not this book... well worth the read/listen.

Nothing learnt, everything forgotten?

Loved the story. Found so many answers about our origins and got many clues about our future. Highly recommend to all intellectually curious people.

Too cool!

Awesome, another Jared diamond gem. A must read for anyone who loves his analitical style.

It's an eye opener

I really enjoyed listening to this book.. It helped me understand a few things about my own life.. And the direction we're taking as a whole.