Sex at Dawn
How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships
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Sex at Dawn
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Narrated by:
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Allyson Johnson
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Jonathan Davis
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Christopher Ryan (Preface)
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Written by:
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Christopher Ryan
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Cacilda Jetha
About this listen
Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)
Since Darwin's day, we've been told that sexual monogamy comes naturally to our species. Mainstream science - as well as religious and cultural institutions - has maintained that men and women evolved in families in which a man's possessions and protection were exchanged for a woman's fertility and fidelity. But this narrative is collapsing. Fewer and fewer couples are getting married, and divorce rates keep climbing as adultery and flagging libido drag down even seemingly solid marriages.
How can reality be reconciled with the accepted narrative? It can't be, according to renegade thinkers Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha. While debunking almost everything we "know" about sex, they offer a bold alternative explanation in this provocative and brilliant book.
Ryan and Jetha's central contention is that human beings evolved in egalitarian groups that shared food, child care, and, often, sexual partners. Weaving together convergent, frequently overlooked evidence from anthropology, archaeology, primatology, anatomy, and psychosexuality, the authors show how far from human nature monogamy really is. Human beings everywhere and in every era have confronted the same familiar, intimate situations in surprisingly different ways. The authors expose the ancient roots of human sexuality while pointing toward a more optimistic future illuminated by our innate capacities for love, cooperation, and generosity.
BONUS AUDIO: Includes a Preface written and read by author Christopher Ryan.
©2010 Christopher Ryan, Cacilda Jetha (P)2010 Audible, IncEditorial Reviews
In Sex at Dawn, husband and wife team Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá have written a book that questions both modern-day standards of human sexual behavior and the scientific history of our early ancestors. The book first explains and defines what it refers to as “the standard narrative”, the story of how humans evolved from our prehistoric ancestors to be monogamous beings with conflicting biological imperatives for males and females. Then, it goes on to refute this narrative, providing evidence from noted modern scholars like Steven Pinker, Malcolm Gladwell, and Frans De Waal, as well as renowned scientists and philosophers like Charles Darwin, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Hobbes.
Ryan and Jethá write, “Science all too often grovels at the feet of the dominant cultural paradigm.” Indeed, one of the most powerful ideas that Sex at Dawn puts forth is that culture has a way of coloring scientific and historical “fact”. Some of the examples given are quite disturbing, especially when large institutions are clearly engaged in cover ups of our true nature. The authors assert that many sexual myths (for example, that masturbation is some kind of medical affliction) have been repeated and disseminated over the years by religious, health, and state organizations. They take a controversial stance that this “cover up” tactic has also been applied to the non-monogamy of our closest primate relatives and early man. They believe that even if non-monogamy is not the dominant mode of being for contemporary humans, at the very least it should be viewed as a historic basis for our desires and behaviors.
The narration, which alternates between Allyson Johnson and Jonathan Davis, is clear and straightforward, particularly well-suited to this kind of book. Johnson especially makes the information, which can sometimes be dense, easily digestible and relatable. One of the authors, Christopher Ryan, reads the preface, which gives a hint of how he came to be interested in exploring the given subject matter. Through this section, we also get a way to connect directly to the authors and thus, the human (as opposed to the scientific) aspect of the issues discussed.
To claim that this work is exclusively or even mostly about sexual behavior would be a stretch. The book is very holistic, tackling bigger-picture issues of science, culture, history, and philosophy. That said, these large ideas are needed as building blocks for the claims the authors make about sex. Another triumph of Sex at Dawn is the attention the authors have given to presenting material on sex as it applies to men and women equally. Along those lines, another high point of the narration is that it echoes this sentiment through the interchanging male and female voices, reminding us that these ideas apply to both sexes in different ways.
What the book posits exactly is somewhat unclear. The authors themselves admit that they're not exactly sure what to do with all the information they have unearthed. That said, the great strength of Sex at Dawn is that it opens the discourse about human sexual behavior sans many of the taboos that traditionally accompany the topic. —Gina Pensiero
Critic Reviews
What listeners say about Sex at Dawn
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer
- 10-03-24
Paradigm shifting book, provides answers for many questions that have been lingering in the human mind
This is truly one of the best written books ever, taking stock of human sexual evolution and how Sex played a major role (apart from passing down the genes) into making us what we are. Beautifully explains the science behind how men and women feel about the subject. Awesome content and superlative narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Faizilla
- 26-02-20
Tour-de-force, Must Read
I started this book after Sapiens. The author tackles the common problems of marriage with such dexterity and equanimity. No gender bashing. It's funny and clever without sacrificing rigor and details. Delightfully narrated. You cannot afford to miss this book if you are or intend to get married. Are humans monogamous or polygynous by nature? Why do men lose their attraction towards their partner after a few months or years? How to make your marriage deeper, more meaningful and joyful? Listen to this short, simple yet comprehensive book about human relationships. DO NOT MISS!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Placeholder
- 10-01-24
Mind bending concepts
One of those rare books which jolt your worldview completely, read if you dare !
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- SR
- 07-01-25
one of the rarest books which tries to get us close to the truth
*Sex at Dawn* by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá is a captivating exploration into human evolution and the nature of human sexuality. The audiobook version of this groundbreaking work is both well-written and expertly narrated, making it an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
The authors delve deeply into our evolutionary history, challenging conventional wisdom about monogamy, marriage, and human sexual behavior. They highlight the contrast between human sexuality and that of our closest primate relatives, emphasizing the role of promiscuity and social bonding in early human societies. Ryan and Jethá argue that our ancestors were likely not as monogamous as contemporary society suggests, and that the advent of agriculture and property ownership reshaped the way we approach relationships.
The narration, often smooth and insightful, enhances the clarity of complex scientific concepts and makes the book accessible to listeners who may not be familiar with evolutionary theory. The balance between the scientific details and the human element of the narrative ensures that it is not just a dry account of history, but a compelling story of who we are as a species.
One of the most significant aspects of *Sex at Dawn* is how it sheds light on the myths surrounding human sexuality and relationship structures. The audiobook challenges listeners to question cultural norms that have shaped our understanding of sexuality and encourages a broader, more inclusive view of human relationships. It offers a well-researched, honest, and engaging discussion that both informs and intrigues.
Overall, *Sex at Dawn* is an enlightening audiobook that is sure to challenge preconceptions, stimulate new ideas, and offer a fresh perspective on human sexuality and evolution. The combination of excellent writing and a thoughtful, articulate narration makes this a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the roots of human behavior and the complexities of our sexual lives.
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