The Evolution of Power : A New Understanding of the History of Life

Princeton University Press

The Evolution of PowerA New Understanding of the History of Life\nAuthor(s): Geerat Vermeij\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Princeton University Press, United States\nImprint: Princeton University Press\nISBN-13: 9780691250410, 978-0691250410\nSynopsis\nA sweeping new account of the role of power in the evolution of all life on Earth\n\nPower has many dimensions, from individual attributes such as strength and speed to the collective advantages of groups. The Evolution of Power takes readers on a breathtaking journey across history and the natural world, revealing how the concept of power unifies a vast range of phenomena in the evolution of lifeand how natural selection has placed humanity and the planet itself on a trajectory of ever-increasing power.\n\nDrawing on evidence from fossils, living organisms, and contemporary society, Geerat Vermeij documents increases in power at all scales, from body size, locomotor performance, and the use of force in competition to efficiency in prod.