Matt Ridley Books

The bestselling author of "Genome" chronicles a new revolution in the world'sunderstanding of genes.

A new virus emerged in 2019, causing unprecedented chaos and raising urgent questions about its origins. As the pandemic unfolded, initial hopes of quickly identifying how SARS-CoV-2 first infected humans faded. Nearly two years in, the mystery remains unresolved and increasingly complex. In this insightful exploration, a scientist and a writer collaborate to uncover how a virus, closely related to those found in bats in subtropical southern China, began spreading in Wuhan, over 1,500 kilometers away. They confront the perplexing absence of expected signs of an outbreak: no infected animals in markets, no early cases among travelers, no rural epidemics, and no rapid adaptation of the virus to humans. To unravel this pressing enigma, the narrative delves into the events from 2019 to 2021, examining animal markets, virology labs, and hidden records in Chinese theses and websites, as well as clues embedded in the virus's genetic code. The result is a captivating detective story that leads readers deeper into a metaphorical cave of mystery. The authors investigate various promising leads, only to find blind alleys, until they finally approach a shaft that hints at the truth.

The "New York Times"-bestselling author of "Genome" and "The Red Queen" offers a provocative case for an economics of hope, arguing that the benefits of commerce, technology, innovation, and change--cultural evolution--will inevitably increase human prosperity.

Following his acclaimed previous work, the author presents a profound exploration of human behavior's roots. The narrative delves into the intricate question of identity, sparked by the revelation that the human genome comprises only 30,000 genes, significantly fewer than previously thought. This led some to argue that behavior is shaped entirely by nurture rather than nature. However, the author contends that the reality is more nuanced: nurture relies on genetics, and genetics require nurturing. Genes not only shape the brain's structure but also interact with experiences, respond to social cues, and influence memory. They serve as both causes and consequences in the tapestry of human behavior. This work, published fifty years after the discovery of DNA's double helix, chronicles a transformative shift in our understanding of genetics. The author navigates the century-long debate between nature and nurture, illustrating how humans embody a complex interplay of free will, instinct, and cultural influences. This engaging account sheds light on how genes construct brains capable of absorbing experiences, offering a fresh perspective on the age-old nature-nurture dichotomy.

Shortlisted for the Aventis Science Prize in 2000.

Referring to Lewis Carroll's Red Queen from Through the Looking-Glass, a character who has to keep running to stay in the same place, Matt Ridley demonstrates why sex is humanity's best strategy for outwitting its constantly mutating internal predators. The Red Queen answers dozens of other riddles of human nature and culture -- including why men propose marriage, the method behind our maddening notions of beauty, and the disquieting fact that a woman is more likely to conceive a child by an adulterous lover than by her husband. Brilliantly written, The Red Queen offers an extraordinary new way of interpreting the human condition and how it has evolved.

Matt Ridley explores such perplexing conundrums as why, if humans are such egoistical beings, don't they behave as rational fools and forego the benefits of cooperation. He uses the findings of new research to look afresh at "Mankind".

'Ridley is spot-on when it comes to the vital ingredients for success' Sir James Dyson Building on his bestseller The Rational Optimist, Matt Ridley chronicles the history of innovation, and how we need to change our thinking on the subject.

The narrative challenges the common belief that Thomas Edison solely invented the light bulb, exploring the contributions of other inventors and the collaborative nature of innovation. It delves into the historical context of the time, highlighting the competition and advancements in electrical technology. By examining Edison's role alongside his contemporaries, the book provides a more nuanced understanding of the invention and its impact on society.

Ridley traces Crick's life from middle-class mediocrity through his leap into biology at the age of 31 and his co-discovery of the double helix structure of DNA.