The Third Chimpanzee

The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal

By: Jared Diamond

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The Development of an Extraordinary Species....

We human beings share 98 percent of our genes with chimpanzees. Yet humans are the dominant species on the planet - having founded civilizations and religions, developed intricate and diverse forms of communication, learned science, built cities, and created breathtaking works of art - while chimps remain animals concerned primarily with the basic necessities of survival. What is it about that two percent difference in DNA that has created such a divergence between evolutionary cousins?

In this fascinating, provocative, passionate, funny, endlessly entertaining work, renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning author and scientist Jared Diamond explores how the extraordinary human animal, in a remarkably short time, developed the capacity to rule the world...and the means to irrevocably destroy it.

©2006 Jared Diamond (P)2012 Random House Audio

Completely fascinating and absorbing

This was the second Jared Diamond I've read and the first in his series of three. It was written in the early 90's and while some things have changed, the overall message is very much the same and of course the history is the same history.

The conclusions he draws are pessimistic and a cause for worry in the 90's, and they still are, but I do think that more people are hearing the ecologists warnings and taking heed - I sure hope so for his forecast of doom for half our species worldwide is a hell of an inheritance to hand over.

Its a book that makes you stop and think and hopefully react too - it has me and I hope it does you too. Highly recommended and should be compulsory reading for leaders of nations and corporate decision makers!

Nothing learnt, everything forgotten?

Loved the story. Found so many answers about our origins and got many clues about our future. Highly recommend to all intellectually curious people.

Too cool!

Awesome, another Jared diamond gem. A must read for anyone who loves his analitical style.

surprisingly contemporary

I didn't realize until the narrator read the original publish date at the end that this book is from 1992. often times, books like this show their age in the shadow of a changing word--not this book... well worth the read/listen.

Awesome

absolutely enjoyed this book... despite being dated and pre internet and cell phones his discussion on climate change and human evolution and race with sexual selection is needed to be ead by the mainstream members of society.

It's an eye opener

I really enjoyed listening to this book.. It helped me understand a few things about my own life.. And the direction we're taking as a whole.

a new perspective

Would you listen to The Third Chimpanzee again? Why?

Yes, lots of info from different directions

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I enjoyed his thoughts on language origins

What about Rob Shapiro’s performance did you like?

easy to listen to, voice and tone fit the book

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not a warm and fuzzy ending...Genocide and Extinction, does not pull any punches, still very relevant

All humans should read this book

If you could sum up The Third Chimpanzee in three words, what would they be?

I'm such a chimp

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Diamon tells us why we know what we know (or think we know).

Which character – as performed by Rob Shapiro – was your favorite?

n/a

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too long for that, but it's good for long stretches (like a road trip)

Any additional comments?

Originally written in 1991 but still a great read.

Must read

This, along with Guns, Germs and Steel, is one of the best books I've read. For anyone who wants to learn more about the human species this is a must read.

Great book, well read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, this book covers interesting new ground, and has a summary of Diamond's views

What other book might you compare The Third Chimpanzee to and why?

The Moral Animal by Robert Wright has a similar theme, it has less original insights, but goes further along the evolutionary line of thinking. If you like this book and it s viewpoint, you'll love the Moral Animal

Any additional comments?

Some of Jared Diamond's character comes out in this, a slightly more personal book.