T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us

Harvard human evolutionary biologist Carole Hooven reveals the most cutting-edge research about testosterone to illuminate the real biology of masculinity, and makes the case that understanding the science is critical for social progress Testosterone hogs the limelight on the stage of male behavior. We tote it out as the source of toxic masculinity, violence, and the underrepresentation of women in Google's best jobs. But can one hormone-an unexceptional molecule made up of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon-really explain such a range of behavioral traits and cultural patterns?In T, Hooven draws on her two decades studying and teaching about testosterone in humans and other animals to show the extent of T's power and reach in our lives. T's ultimate purpose is to help animals reproduce. To do that, T affects not only our bodies, but also our brains and behavior. T affects our relationships, sex lives, social groups, professional goals, identities, parenting styles, physical safety, crime, and so much more. Yet a vocal group of feminist scholars minimizes the importance of T in our lives, and scientific facts that used to be obvious are now controversial. These critics claim, for instance, that testosterone is not a 'male hormone,' and doesn't have much to do with masculinity; it doesn't explain the male advantage in sports, or high rates of male aggression. If T is all-powerful, doesn't that justify the male-dominated status quo, reinforce gender stereotypes, and block the road to a fairer society? Hooven shows that the fascinating science of testosterone is nothing to fear-and that talking about T doesn't make it all-powerful, it actually diminishes its hold over us. Getting the science right is crucial when so much is at stake. She argues that we can't change human nature, but by understanding how testosterone works, we have the power to change human behavior.A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company