"Robert M. Sapolsky is one of the best science writers of our time."―Oliver Sacks For the first edition of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: Sapolsky succeeds in interpreting technical material in a way that leaves readers with an understanding of how the same physiological responses, so well suited for dealing with short-term physical emergencies, can turn into potential disasters when chronically provoked for psychological or other reasons....The author has a way with words and images....you'll find plenty to intrigue you. ―The Washington Post Robert Sapolsky wittily dissects the anatomy of human stress-response. ―The Wall Street Journal

Third EditionBy Sapolsky, Robert M. Owl Books Copyright ⓒ2004 Sapolsky, Robert M. All right reserved. ISBN: 0805073698 From Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: Regardless of how poorly we are getting along with a family member or how incensed we are about losing a parking spot, we rarely settle that sort of thing with a fistfight. Likewise, it is a rare event when we have to stalk and personally wrestle down our dinner. Essentially, we humans live well enough and long enough, and are smart enough, to generate all sorts of stressful events purely in our heads. How many hippos worry about whether Social Security is going to last as long as they will, or even what they are going to say on a first date? Viewed from the perspective of the evolution of the human kingdom, psychological stress is a recent invention. If someone has just signed the order to hire a hated rival after months of plotting and maneuvering, her physiological responses might be shockingly similar to those of a savanna baboon who has just lunged and slashed the face of a competitor. And if someone spends months on end twisting his innards in anxiety, anger, and tension over some emotional problem, this might very well lead to illness. Continues... Excerpted from Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Sapolsky, Robert M. Copyright ⓒ2004 by Sapolsky, Robert M.. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.