Author: Edward O. Wilson File Type: epub **New York Times Bestseller From the most celebrated heir to Darwin comes a groundbreaking book on evolution, the summa work of Edward O. Wilsons legendary career.**Sparking vigorous debate in the sciences, The Social Conquest of Earth upends the famous theory that evolution naturally encourages creatures to put family first (Discover). Refashioning the story of human evolution, Wilson draws on his remarkable knowledge of biology and social behavior to demonstrate that group selection, not kin selection, is the premier driving force of human evolution. In a work that James D. Watson calls a monumental exploration of the biological origins of the human condition, Wilson explains how our innate drive to belong to a group is both a great blessing and a terrible curse (Smithsonian). Demonstrating that the sources of morality, religion, and the creative arts are fundamentally biological in nature, the renowned Harvard University biologist presents us with the clearest explanation ever produced as to the origin of the human condition and why it resulted in our domination of the Earths biosphere. 90 illustrations**

Author: Carissa M. Harris File Type: pdf As anyone who has read Chaucers Canterbury Tales knows, Middle English literature is rife with sexually explicit language and situations. Less canonical works can be even more brazen in describing illicit acts of sexual activity and sexual violence. Such scenes and language were not, however, included exclusively for titillation. In Obscene Pedagogies, Carissa M. Harris argues instead for obscenitys usefulness in sexual education. She investigates the relationship between obscenity, gender, and pedagogy in Middle English and Middle Scots literary texts from 1300 to 1580 to show how sexually explicit and defiantly vulgar speech taught readers and listeners about sexual behavior and consent.Through innovative close readings of literary texts including erotic lyrics, single-womans songs, debate poems between men and women, Scottish insult poetry battles, and The Canterbury Tales, Harris demonstrates how through its transgressive charge and galvanizing shock value, obscenity taught audiences about gender, sex, pleasure, and power in ways both positive and harmful. She focuses in particular on understudied female-voiced lyrics and gendered debate poems, many of which have their origin in oral culture, and includes teaching-ready editions of fourteen largely unknown anonymous lyrics in womens voices. Harriss own voice, proudly witty and sharply polemical, inspires the reader to address these medieval texts with an eye on contemporary issues of gender, violence, and misogyny.**ReviewObscene Pedagogies is an invigorating and dynamic study of how obscenity facilitates same-sex education in premodern English literatures. Harris intelligently details how these literatures are in dialogue with one another, attesting to a nuanced and complex conversation regarding sexual contact, erotic intersubjectivity, and the limits of desire.(Holly Crocker, Professor of English Literature, University of South Carolina, and author of Chaucers Visions of Manhood) Obscene Pedagogiesis feminist scholarship at its best.Carissa Harriss deft delineation of misogynist lessons to the medieval reader is complemented by modern resonances in rugby culture, hip-hop, the harassment of women of color, and the chastity movement. The on-going objectification of women is emphasized by Harriss own chilling experiences, and epitomized by a pussy-grabbing president.(Dyan Elliott, Northwestern University) Harris is especially powerful when she explores the differing ways in which men and women use obscenity men create fellowship by demeaning women, both verbally and physically women use obscene response to protect themselves from male assault. The book couldnt be more current, and I couldnt stop reading.(David Raybin, Editor, The Chaucer Review) About the Author Carissa M. Harris is Assistant Professor of English at Temple University.