You can expect so many things in a collection of essays by Robert Sapolsky, Stanford professor of biology and neurology. His earlier essays reflected a rich understanding of the complexities of human and animal life. The latest collection has all his trademark attributes and something more ? wry humour in a lucid prose that can delight anyone even faintly curious about the natural world.

In this collection, Sapolsky ranges wherever his formidable expertise leads to, from genetic determinism to neurological illness. For instance, the first set of six essays dwells on the nature-nurture combination. As Sapolsky puts it, “it’s not all in the genes; it’s not all down to environment; it depends on the outcome of the particular combination of genes in a particular environment”.

Next, he moves on to the links between mind and body, right from dreams to parasites in the brain. In this part, as in the third and final section, dealing with the relation between society and human biology, you can find a more diverse and satisfying collection of articles.

In the final analysis, whatever be the topic, the essays are entertaining and insightful.