Explaining Humans: A Comprehensive Guide to Human Nature, Awarded the 2020 Royal Society Science Book Prize

Maya: Same book as “an outsiders guide to human beings”

United States on Apr 03, 2024

Saz Dosanjh: While gripped with Camilla's daily struggles and her excellent approach to humans I was a bit shocked to find that I had done some of the things she did. But isn't it always the way? There are always things that we have in common. It's very science-y, and thoroughly enjoyable if you like science, which I do.

France on Nov 09, 2023

titiribi: Dr. Pang uses her own experience to try to explain how humans work. In doing so she opens her mind in a very personal way and let's the reader experience how she, as a neuro-diverse person works. While her strategies to understand the human mind sometimes can be labeled as far-fetched (e.g. the chapter on bonds) they are full of practical instructions that can help to navigate the complex interactions that we need to live as humans.

United States on Jul 18, 2022

Oldie but goodie: The author explains humanity from her unique perspective, and shows the value of neurodiversity

United States on Dec 28, 2021

CaseyCasey: Can’t believe some of these reviews, how can you complain about a book not being what you thought it was when you haven’t made the effort to read the description?

Just 2 chapters in and I love this book! Exactly what it promises, the instruction manual to human behaviour explained in a concept us science nerds can understand. I’m autistic and ADHD, I grew up loving science for the same reasons the author did. No matter how much psychology I’ve studied and explanations from others for the behaviour of humans as a collective, I could never quite wrap my head around it. This book explains those things in metaphors that are much more easily understood to a mind like mine. So far I’ve found it entertaining to look at the world this way as well as it boosting confidence in my weirdness. “My neurodiversity created so many questions about what it meant to be human, but it also gave me the power to answer them.” Physics is my field and I’m really looking forward to those chapters ahead!

Only downside is that the book prize 2020 is not a sticker but actually printed on, the hardback is really pretty otherwise!

United Kingdom on Dec 24, 2021

Surgicalstriker: Looking at human behavior from a different point of view...

Germany on Aug 05, 2021

Pranob: One of a kind book. Almost a guidebook for an SPD/ADHD/ASD parent. Will advise caregivers to use this as a manual and dog tag the important bits

India on Jun 19, 2021

Trish: loved this book!!! she uses scientific concepts to explain the way people “work.” for me, she helped me look at different situations i’ve been in and understand them in a new way. while science isn’t my strong point, she made it easy for anyone to understand the concepts!

United States on Jun 09, 2021

Amazon Customer: Not bought for myself.. daughter in law who is a teacher, says she loved it !

Canada on Feb 04, 2021

Elisabeth Carey: Camilla Pang, at age eight, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and not long after, she asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans. Sadly, there wasn't, so she decided to make her own, and started taking notes.

She now has a Ph.D. in biochemistry, and takes a delightfully analytical approach to deconstructing and explaining human behavior. It's startling, but illuminating, to look at human social behavior from the viewpoint of how proteins in our cells behave--individuality, teamwork, and adaptability, and the ways acting more like those proteins can help us live happier, more productive lives.

She's got a lot to say, and it's lively, interesting, understandable, and a total geeky delight.

I've always found human beings strange and difficult to understand, but until very recently, no one thought I should be evaluated for autism. No, I should just stop being difficult, and pay attention to what people are saying and otherwise indicating. Listening to Camilla Pang talk about the challenges of figuring out how to navigate the neurotypical world, even with a diagnosis and a supportive family, is illuminating and...

United States on Nov 11, 2020