THE GAMBLER

''Masterful'' GEORGE AINSLIE''A fascinating tour of risk taking in the natural world'' ADAM KUCHARSKI''A sweeping and page-turning story'' NICK CHATER''A fascinating and challenging explanation of how the secrets to human success may be our downfall'' PSYCHOLOGY TODAYEvolution is a series of bets, and no animal gambles the way humans do. This has led us to unprecedented ecological dominance, via the steepest odds and unlikeliest of outcomes, but our winning streak cuts both ways: the secret to our success may yet be our downfall.Ever since evolution accelerated our species away from all other living things on earth, we have existed outside our evolutionary comfort zone. This allowed us to continue moving into new ecological niches, and eventually take over the world. But it also bred a whole host of ills: it is time we finally understood the odds.The Gambling Animal offers a revelatory retelling of the human story. Drawing on their unique research into the management of risk by humans and other animals - including our most impressive compatriots, elephants - Glenn Harrison and Don Ross reveal the hidden logic of our rise. But with an ecological crisis on the horizon, how long can our winning streak continue?