Sex at Dawn

How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships

By: Christopher Ryan, Cacilda Jetha

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson, Jonathan Davis, Christopher Ryan (Preface)

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

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, Inc

Critic reviews

"A surprisingly non-titillating book about sex among prehistoric people makes for a terrific audio adaptation...With their straightforward approach, the narrators show professionalism and authority in this anthropological discussion of sex." ( AudioFile)

“ Sex at Dawn is the single most important book about human sexuality since Alfred Kinsey unleashed Sexual Behavior in the Human Male on the American public in 1948.” (Dan Savage)

"My favorite book of 2010...it's the only book I read this year that proved that I was badly mistaken about something." (Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!)

Recommended reading

Great compilation of primate habits. Too much emphasis was placed on comparing humans to them though. A thorough treatment of the male & female behavior. Credible research.
Narrator was excellent.

Interesting and Eye-Opening

Largely a book on biology, anthropology, and history, Sex at Dawn provides instance after instance of evidence that humans are pre-disposed against monogamy and have historically found success and happiness with numerous partners. This book maintains its integrity by not advocating for any specific type of lifestyle or relationship structure, but rather cites examples of humanity embracing or fighting this predilection in different ways, but with very similar outcomes. A great read for the open-minded that explains a lot about the struggles of current society and culture.

Amazing

A wonderful read and interesting new perspective into human sexuality and why we crave sexual diversity. Highly recommended to those who have been cheated on and wish to understand why.

Curious

Be open minded when reading or listening to this, and be prepared to reconsider the way you see the world

Very Interesting

This was very thought provoking, and gave great new perspectives. I just wish there was more advice on how to implement some of these ideas.

Wonderful scientific approach

This was a wonderful scientific look at human sexuality and debunking of biased scientific approaches taken in the past towards sexuality.

Amazing read

Revolutionary and 100% true, speaks to me of getting real about our nature and honest with each other. Less collateral damage and maybe even the prognosis two and more wholesome society with less fractures on societal infrastructures built on policies. Fallacies.

worthy food for thought

read (listen to) this book before getting married, entering into a long term relationship or having kids. if you are already there this book offers some convincing theories and data to explain why sexual intimacy fades. lots of food for thought and potential for developing an understanding that can lead to a healthier, happier and more honest relationship to oneself and others.

mind opening

it is my personal belief that these kind of classes should be taught in high school.

amazingly refreshing perspective and case studies.

amazingly refreshing perspective and case studies to back up this much needed cultural alternative on one of the most important aspects of being human.