This is a book I picked up at the Accelerating Change Conference 2003 back in September. It employs logical deductions derived from scientific and historic findings to explain the nature of mankind, and in particular Man's more evil nature. It begins with the first self-replicating molecules floating in our primordial oceans and continues on to the superorganisms that make up our global societies.
It was a fascinating and eye opening journey, and I now count it among my favorite books. I deeply respect a book which has made such solid challenges to my instinctual and intellectual beliefs. It goes beyond simple theories such as self-preservation and self-propagation, looking deeper into the more complex yet common themes running through all organic life.
Additionally I found myself absorbed in the numerous historical anecdotes, both in the main text and in the footnotes (roughly a third of the book is devoted to footnotes). The book was a pleasure to read, I highly recommend it.