Cannibalism
Ratings6
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings6
Average rating3.7
"Eating one's own kind is completely natural behavior in thousands of species, including humans. Throughout history we have engaged in cannibalism for reasons relating to famine, burial rites, and medicinal remedies. Cannibalism has been used as a form of terrorism but also as the ultimate expression of filial piety. With unexpected wit and a wealth of knowledge, Bill Schutt, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History, takes us on a tour of the field, exploring exciting new avenues of research and investigating questions like why so many fish eat their offspring and some amphibians consume their mother's skin; why sexual cannibalism is an evolutionary advantage for certain spiders; why, until the end of the eighteenth century, British royalty regularly ate human body parts; how cannibalism may be linked to the extinction of Neanderthals; why microbes on sacramental bread may have led to Catholics' to persecute European Jews in the Middle Ages. Today, the subject of humans consuming one another has been relegated to the realm of horror movies, fiction, and the occasional psychopath, but be forewarned: As climate change progresses and humans see more famine, disease, and overcrowding, biological and cultural constraints may well disappear. These are the very factors that lead to outbreaks of cannibalism. As he examines these close encounters of the cannibal kind, Bill Schutt makes the ick-factor fascinating"--
Reviews with the most likes.
An interesting look into the topic of cannibalism. From the animal kingdom to the various human examples of cannibalism, Schutt delivers an interesting, quick-witted look into the history of the consumption of same-species flesh.
While I picked up this book to learn more about human examples, I was surprised to learn more about the different animal species, including spiders, dinosaurs, and fish. I enjoyed the interesting new perspective into the events of the Donner party, which I had never known.
However, about three-fourths into the book, after talking about cannibalism for so long, the book delved into less interesting stories and struggled to hold my attention. For this, I rated the book 3 out of 5 stars: interesting topic, funny/inviting writing, new information, yet, a little bit too long and dry near the end.
