Reviews

Douglas Mock's engaging volume assimilates the vast literature on altruism but concentrates on the more traditional analysis of conflict...Mock's monograph demonstrates triumphantly that field studies are still a vibrant part of evolutionary biology. He is equally entertaining about his own field studies and those of others engaged in testing in the field the models of theoretical evolutionary biology...Mock's is one of those soughtafter books in science, a work of popularisation and a thoughtful synthesis of an important discipline.--W. F. Bynum"Times Higher Education Supplement" (04/22/2005)

Mock has a lively and engaging style, and the skill to explain complex ideas from kin selection and related fields intelligibly without being patronizing...Mock has done a superb job in bringing a large area of contemporary behavioural ecology to both a biological and a general audience...It deserves to be read by everyone interested in the evolution of family life.--Charles Godfray"Nature" (05/06/2004)

Through the use of splendid examples, from rosewood pollen to penguins to premedical students, this well-written and entertaining book provides an excellent introduction to the evolution of family conflict...[Mock] details the theory and natural history of sibling rivalry across a broad sweep of animals and plants to illustrate ways in which the simple mathematical relationship called Hamilton's rule links the benefits and costs of seemingly altruistic or selfish behavior to the degree of relatedness between individuals. Countless examples display what scientists have learned about family strife in the natural world by documenting how the powerful forces of cooperation and competition shape all interactions in the family arena, and can turn close kin into deadly rivals.--K. A. Campbell"Choice" (11/01/2004)

competition shape all interactions in the family arena, and can turn close kin into deadly rivals.

contemporary behavioural ecology to both a biological and a general audience...It deserves to be read by everyone interested in the evolution of family life.

evidence as he redefines the evolutionary limits of selfishness among species.

in science, a work of popularisation and a thoughtful synthesis of an important discipline.

As Mock shows, storks, pigs, seals, and other creatures give people a run for their money when it comes to competition. Within families at least, people are usually less aggressive and perhaps more shrewd than animals in getting what they want, but all the species Mock examines are competitive when it comes to fulfilling needs and desires...Mock considers...aspects of the family dynamic through a wealth of scientific studies and anecdotal evidence as he redefines the evolutionary limits of selfishness among species.