" The Evolution of Power is a staggering illustration of evolutionary thinking as the gift that keeps giving. Vermeij shows how we can unite and expand our knowledge of the world through an understanding of power, affirming our human dignity precisely because we are at one with the rest of life rather than unique products of evolution." --Michael Ruse, author of Why We Hate: Understanding the Roots of Human Conflict "Geerat Vermeij's clarity of thought and command of scientific facts help us see the simple rules that dictate our complex world. He is uniquely able to make sense of all of life on Earth and does so in a fun, lucid, and beautiful way." --Menno Schilthuizen, author of Darwin Comes to Town: How the Urban Jungle Drives Evolution "Geerat Vermeij continues his long-standing track record of exceptional research on ecology and evolution in this provocative book, which frames the history of life on Earth--and of humanity--through the lens of power. An engaging read!" --Erin E. Saupe, University of Oxford "In this delightfully written book, Vermeij brilliantly recasts the standard view of the evolutionary process as one driven by directionless natural selection to one where natural selection is simply the vehicle by which the evolution of organisms is directed by the struggle, opportunities, and costs of acquiring power. Simply brilliant!" --Charles Marshall, University of California, Berkeley "Wonderfully readable like all of Vermeij's work, this masterly, sweeping synthesis touches on virtually every level of biological organization in human society and the natural world.

A compelling and insightful account of the ways organisms evolve to gain power and change their environments, how their capacities have changed over time, and how power can be viewed as a unifying principle across animate and inanimate systems." --David Jablonski, University of Chicago.