Grooming, gossip and the Evolution of Language

Hardcover, dj, in-8, 227 pp., bibliographical notes, bibliography, index.

"Grooming, Gossip, and the Evolution of Language" is a fascinating exploration of the origins and development of language. The author, an anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist, presents a compelling argument that language evolved from social grooming. He suggests that as human societies grew larger, it became impractical to maintain social bonds through physical grooming alone. Language, according to Dunbar, emerged as a more efficient way to maintain these bonds, allowing us to communicate with many people at once and over great distances. The book is filled with intriguing insights into the social dynamics of various species, the importance of gossip in human societies, and the role of language in our evolutionary history. It's a must-read for anyone interested in linguistics, anthropology, or the social sciences in general."