#1959 - David Buss

In 'When Men Behave Badly', David Buss delves into the evolutionary psychology behind male behaviors that interfere with women's choices and goals. The book identifies and documents various 'bad male behaviors' such as pretending to have more status or financial resources, engaging in secret sexual affairs, being hyper-vigilant and controlling, and physically and psychologically abusing women. Buss explains these behaviors through the lens of evolutionary selection, highlighting the role of the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) in exacerbating these behaviors. The book also discusses how these behaviors can be addressed at both social and individual levels, emphasizing the need for women to be aware of these traits and for society to implement measures to prosecute and prevent such behaviors.

This book sheds light on the extensive impact of hormonal birth control on women’s bodies and brains, influencing aspects such as attraction, stress response, mood, and learning. It highlights the cascading effects of the pill on women’s lives and society, advocating for more informed decisions about health and better research on women’s bodies and brains.

Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers. Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess. Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points. The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues. 'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.

This book, written by prominent psychologist David M. Buss, presents a unified theory of human mating behavior. It draws on a vast study involving over 10,000 people from thirty-seven cultures and compares human mating strategies with those of other species. Buss explores why human desires differ radically between men and women, and how conflict, competition, and manipulation are integral to human mating. The book updates the latest scientific research on human mating and explains the powerful evolutionary forces shaping our intimate desires.