The Evolution of Desire

Strategies of Human Mating

By: David M. Buss

Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

A “drop-dead shocker” (Washington Post Book World) that uses evolutionary psychology to explain human mating and the mysteries of love

If we all want love, why is there so much conflict in our most cherished relationships? To answer this question, we must look into our evolutionary past, argues prominent psychologist David M. Buss. Based one of the largest studies of human mating ever undertaken, encompassing more than 10,000 people of all ages from thirty-seven cultures worldwide, The Evolution of Desire is the first work to present a unified theory of human mating behavior. Drawing on a wide range of examples of mating behavior—from lovebugs to elephant seals, from the Yanomamö tribe of Venezuela to online dating apps—Buss reveals what women want, what men want, and why their desires radically differ. Love has a central place in human sexual psychology, but conflict, competition, and manipulation also pervade human mating—something we must confront in order to control our own mating destiny.

Updated to reflect recent scientific research on human mating, this definitive edition of this classic work of evolutionary psychology explains the powerful forces that shape our most intimate desires.

Critic reviews

"Filled with insight, surprises, and lucid explanations of the latest ideas and discoveries from the sciences of love and sex."—Steven Pinker

"A drop-dead shocker."—Washington Post Book World

"Clear, coherent, and convincing."—Philadelphia Inquirer

100% must read/listen

This is a must read/listen to understand MOST of the social dynamics when it comes to dating.
It's interesting to see how much is explainable by evolution.
The book only uses statistical data and studies, no opinions. The author is clearly not biassed.
He does cover some "sensitive" topics and I did see some negative reviews of people who seem to be offended by some of results even though the author did his best to adress this. If you are looking for a romanticized/fictional book about dating, this is definitely not for you.

Very nice book. A must read

Most of what you will hear is most probably well known to you. But her e it is based on statistics and validated. Well explained and backed up. There a re few weird facts as well, which makes the book even more vivid reading. The narrator is OK for both x1.5 & x2 speeds.

the bible of human relationship dynamics

it explain the male/female behaviour in the context of mating, relationships, and social dynamics. after reading or listening to this, it all makes sense. I'm putting it on my list of must listen/read every 2-3 months.

Great Fundamentals

Very detailed and unapologetic. This is not a feel-good book about righness or wrongness.

Excellent book

Buss is a great writer and thinker. A lucid explanation of the evolutionary baggage men n women carry. It’s great society gets on men to reign in their biological drive for variety in sex partners. Economist.com had a story on how most polygamous societies also most violent and least development ...but, besides society harping on the Weinstein’s, this book highlights the baggage women have that contributes to societies ills...that seems most media keeps mum on. The best antidote is awareness, so we can work to reign these in. Highly recommend this as well as The Red Queen by Matt Ridley.