Of course I don't know how Future of Life is, not having read it yet, but I think Consilience is a towering work. And if you are interested in the more technical aspects of Life, Sociobiology is definitely worth while. A warning though: it's a biology book, reputation aside. There is only one chapter about humans. If you make yourself really small, you can externalize virtually everything. Daniel Dennett, 1984

I also voted for What is Good? (so hopefully I'm actually able to get a copy of it). I would love to read either the Wilson or Atran book too...As no one has said anything about Atran, I'd just like to add that I've read a number of academic papers he's written and some chapters in a book he co-editored on another topic (Folkbiology). It's really exciting stuff...I would assume this book would be, too, and it's been on my wishlist for ages...hopefully we'll get to it at some stage Nicole

I voted for Wilson's 'Future of Life'.I'm interested in tackling the economic, technological, philosophical and spiritual pressures that impact this fragile biosphere we call 'Life'.I'm also somewhat familiar with Wilson's work in Sociobiology (my Undergraduate introduction to Evolution and Biology was an immersion in his theory) and I was very impressed with his book, 'Consilience'.

This is going to be close race it seems. Chris "For Every Winner, There Are Dozens Of Losers. Odds Are You're One Of Them"

I proposed it so I voted for it.Besides, when we saw Grayling he was a very witty and well-informed speaker he will make a great guest if we can get him to chat.

Of course we can get him to chat. These authors love to get feedback from their readers.Lee Harris and I spoke on the phone yesterday for about an hour and a half. What a fascinating man. He has agreed to a chat and it is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 16th at 9:00pm eastern. I just haven't had the time to make the post on the Home page or elsewhere.Chris "For Every Winner, There Are Dozens Of Losers. Odds Are You're One Of Them"