Catching Fire
Catching Fire
Richard Wrangham
Balaji Srinivasan
Talks about how the invention of fire allowed humans as species to outsource our metabolism to the fire and allocate more of our scarce calories to the brain. - Balaji Srinivasan
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Catching Fire

Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human

Richard Wrangham
By
Richard Wrangham
3.9
3901
ratings on Goodreads

In the trailblazing exploration "Catching Fire," Richard Wrangham ignites a revolutionary theory that challenges the cornerstone of human evolution. Wrangham, a distinguished primatologist, posits that it was not solely our intelligence or adaptability that propelled humans to the pinnacle of evolution but rather our mastery of fire and the transformative practice of cooking. This seminal work delves deep into the heart of how the simple act of cooking set the stage for remarkable physiological and societal evolutions. As our ancestors harnessed the power to cook, they initiated a domino effect: the human digestive system became more efficient, our brains expanded in complexity, and the very fabric of human society was woven from the flames of culinary innovation. "Catching Fire" does more than just recount the past; it provides a lens through which to view our present and future. Wrangham’s compelling narrative traces the ripple effects of this culinary revolution, shedding light on the birth of social structures, pair bonding, and even the division of labor by sex. Through meticulous research and compelling arguments, Wrangham not only challenges existing paradigms of human evolution but also offers fresh insights into our eating habits and social norms. This book is a beacon for those eager to understand the true essence of what it means to be human, revealing that the path to humanity was cooked up from the very beginning.

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Released
2009
26 May
Length
309
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

Talks about how the invention of fire allowed humans as species to outsource our metabolism to the fire and allocate more of our scarce calories to the brain. - Balaji Srinivasan
Hundreds of different hunter-gatherer cultures have been described, and all obtained a substantial proportion of their diet from meat, often half their calories or more.
— Richard Wrangham, Catching Fire

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