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"Fed up with men from Mars and women from Venus? In this witty corrective [Testosterone Rex], psychologist Cordelia Fine examines the fraying “biological big picture” of sexual selection, and corrals findings in evolutionary science, neuroscience and endocrinology to add nuance to it. As she demonstrates, the genetic and hormonal components of sex 'collaborate' in complex ways with societal aspects of the developmental system, such as education. Gendered marketing, men-only expert panels and other sexist norms may seem trivial, but their cumulative impact is ultimately damaging." - Nature
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Testosterone, so we’re told, is the very essence of masculinity, and biological sex is a fundamental force in our development. Not so, says psychologist Cordelia Fine, who shows, with wit and panache, that sex doesn’t create male and female natures. Instead, sex, hormones, culture and evolution work together in ways that make past and present gender dynamics only a serving suggestion for the future – not a recipe. Testosterone Rex brings together evolutionary science, psychology, neuroscience and social history to move beyond old ‘nature versus nurture’ debates, and to explain why it’s time to unmake the tyrannical myth of Testosterone Rex - Royal Society
Reviews
"The expression 'essential reading for everyone' is usually untrue as well as a cliche, but if there were a book deserving of that description this might just be it." ― Financial Times
"This is an important, well researched book that presents biological, psychological and social science research to explain why men and women are far less different than many would have you believe. If that sounds dry, it ain't. Fine lives up to her name - she is an extremely talented writer." -- Professor Michael Jennions ― Evolutionary Ecology, Australian National University
"Full of witty gems you’ll want to underline and read aloud, Testosterone Rex gleefully debunks myths about the nature of masculinity and femininity. Without denying science or ignoring evolution, Cordelia Fine shows how biology, far from limiting our possibilities, extends them." ― Marlene Zuk, Professor of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, University of Minnesota
"This book is brilliant" ― New Scientist
"Ms Fine's is a provocative and often fascinating book." ― The Economist
"Every man and woman should read this book on gender bias. Testosterone Rex is an important, yet wickedly witty, book about the 21st century which touches on the current debates around identity and turns everything on its head. Pressingly contemporary, it's the ideal companion read to sit alongside The Handmaid's Tale and The Power." -- Judges, 2017 Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize
"Testosterone Rex is one of those rare books that manages to effortlessly mix science, social commentary and a call to arms. It is witty, robust and angry but provides a new take - and new evidence - that helps us answer the age old question of where women stand in the world." -- Kit de Waal
"Fine does it again. The mistress of "I think you'll find it's more complicated than that" delivers a brilliant and witty riposte to the "boys will be boys" bores. Fascinating." -- Caroline Criado-Perez
"Testosterone Rex is a debunking rumble that ought to inspire a roar." -- Sarah Ditum ― The Guardian
"Goodbye beliefs in sex differences disguised as evolutionary facts. Welcome the dragon slayer: Cordelia Fine wittily but meticulously lays bare the irrational arguments that we use to justify gender politics." -- Professor Uta Frith ― Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, University College, London
"If you've ever thought that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, or that men don't listen and women can't read maps, this book is for you. The expression "essential reading for everyone" is usually untrue as well as a cliché, but if there were a book deserving of that description this might just be it. -- Antonia Macaro ― Financial Times
"This is an important, well researched book that presents biological, psychological and social science research to explain why men and women are far less different than many would have you believe. If that sounds dry, it ain't. Fine lives up to her name - she is an extremely talented writer." -- Professor Michael Jennions ― Evolutionary Ecology, Australian National University
"Full of witty gems you’ll want to underline and read aloud, Testosterone Rex gleefully debunks myths about the nature of masculinity and femininity. Without denying science or ignoring evolution, Cordelia Fine shows how biology, far from limiting our possibilities, extends them." ― Marlene Zuk, Professor of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, University of Minnesota
"This book is brilliant" ― New Scientist
"Ms Fine's is a provocative and often fascinating book." ― The Economist
"Every man and woman should read this book on gender bias. Testosterone Rex is an important, yet wickedly witty, book about the 21st century which touches on the current debates around identity and turns everything on its head. Pressingly contemporary, it's the ideal companion read to sit alongside The Handmaid's Tale and The Power." -- Judges, 2017 Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize
"Testosterone Rex is one of those rare books that manages to effortlessly mix science, social commentary and a call to arms. It is witty, robust and angry but provides a new take - and new evidence - that helps us answer the age old question of where women stand in the world." -- Kit de Waal
"Fine does it again. The mistress of "I think you'll find it's more complicated than that" delivers a brilliant and witty riposte to the "boys will be boys" bores. Fascinating." -- Caroline Criado-Perez
"Testosterone Rex is a debunking rumble that ought to inspire a roar." -- Sarah Ditum ― The Guardian
"Goodbye beliefs in sex differences disguised as evolutionary facts. Welcome the dragon slayer: Cordelia Fine wittily but meticulously lays bare the irrational arguments that we use to justify gender politics." -- Professor Uta Frith ― Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, University College, London
"If you've ever thought that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, or that men don't listen and women can't read maps, this book is for you. The expression "essential reading for everyone" is usually untrue as well as a cliché, but if there were a book deserving of that description this might just be it. -- Antonia Macaro ― Financial Times
Awards/ Recognition
Winner of the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize.
Winner of the Woodward Medal in Humanities & Social Sciences.
Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize.
Shortlisted for the Smart Prize.
Winner of the Woodward Medal in Humanities & Social Sciences.
Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize.
Shortlisted for the Smart Prize.