Population Wars - by Greg Graffin (Paperback)

About the Book

A new perspective on the biological roots of competition from the author of Anarchy Evolution and Cornell lecturer

Book Synopsis

"A fascinating perspective on the age-old idea of Survival of the Fittest." --LitReactor

Population Wars is a paradigm-shifting look at why humans behave the way they do and the ancient history that explains that behavior. In this eye-opening book, Greg Graffin points to where the mainstream view of evolutionary theory has led us astray. Through tales of mass extinctions, developing immune systems, human warfare, the American industrial heartland, and our degrading modern environment, Graffin demonstrates how that misunderstanding has allowed humans to justify war even when other solutions may be available. Along the way, he reveals a paradox: When we challenge conventional definitions of war, we are left with a new problem--how to define ourselves.

Review Quotes

"We are living in what may be the most important time in our species' history, in which we have become at once both the stewards of the earth and its millions of species and delicate ecosystem, and its potential demise through the population wars. As Greg Graffin demonstrates in this important call to action, the decision is ours to make on what we will do next-continue business as usual or take the next step in our moral evolution to create a sustainable world. Through compelling examples and page-turning storytelling, Graffin shows how we got here and what we can do about it, both individually and collectively." --Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for Scientific American, and author of The Moral Arc

"This brilliant and far-reaching tour of conflict and cooperation is led by a naturalist with an eye on the big picture. It will forever change the way you think about human conflict. Graffin is a talented science communicator who makes complex concepts accessible to all. The more we hear from him, the better." --Guy P. Harrison, author of Good Thinking: What You Need to Know to be Smarter, Safer, Wealthier, and Wiser

"A worldview eloquently expressed."--Chicago Tribune on Anarchy Evolution

"[Graffin] explains how evolution can be a guide to life."--Scientific American on Anarchy Evolution

"Take one man who rejects authority and religion and leads a punk band. Take another man who wonders whether vertebrates arose in rivers or in the ocean and is fascinated by evolution, creativity, and Ice Age animals. Put them together, and what do you get? Greg Graffin and this uniquely fascinating book."--Jared Diamond, author of Gun, Germs, and Steel on Anarchy Evolution

"Graffin does a superb job of explaining and italicizing our interconnections with other life forms."
-Los Angeles Review pf Books

"The Iconoclastic storytelling scientist challenges conventional thinking about evolution... Graffin's message is challenging, and the professional entertainer shines through."
-Kirkus Review

"You don't have to be a Bad Religion fan to read this book; you simply should because Graffin has something to say that's worth listening to."
-HIFI Noise

About the Author

GREG GRAFFIN is a singer, songwriter, lecturer, and solo artist. In addition to founding the band Bad Religion in 1980, he began a lifelong pursuit of evolution. He obtained his Ph.D. in zoology at Cornell and a master's in geology at the University of California, Los Angeles. While lecturing at UCLA and at Cornell, he coauthored Anarchy Evolution (with Steve Olson). Greg received the Bryan Patterson Prize from the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, the Rushdie Prize from the Harvard University Humanist Chaplaincy, the American Humanist Association Arts Award, and the Sapio Prize from the International League of Non-Religious and Atheists. He travels regularly between the cities he considers home: Ithaca, New York, and Los Angeles, California.