A review by reginacattus
Paleofantasy: What Evolution Really Tells Us about Sex, Diet, and How We Live by Marlene Zuk

4.0

This popular science book covers both less and more than I thought it would. I didn't realise quite how specific the topic was - about people's fascination with "getting back to nature" and living the "paleofantasy". That's not a criticism, exactly, only an observation, as it was still fascinating. It certainly did rid me of a few everyday fantasies of my own - such as the average life expectancy. When they say the life expectancy has gone up a lot in the past century, it doesn't mean people are living longer, only that the child mortality rate has gone down a lot thanks to modern medicine. The book, to my converse surprise, covered most aspects daily life, comparing them to "how we once lived". The book wasn't at all what I expected, but it is nonetheless true to its title and an entertaining yet informative read for anyone with a passing interest in genetics.
Don't read this book if you like living as our ancestors once did - you will no doubt be greatly offended by this book, though it tries to be inoffensive!