Us and Them

Critical Praise

"What makes Them different from Us? The answer, according to this surprising book, may reside in the twists and turns of the brain. In his witty, provocative, and very amiable look at the tribal mind, David Berreby uses modern neuroscience, philosophy, and plain old counterintuitive thinking to explore the psychology of racism, nationalism, religious persecution, social oppression, and all the other ways that humans categorize and then demonize their fellows. He has seen the enemy, and it is Us."
—Stephen S. Hall, author of Merchants of Immortality

"David Berreby bravely plunges into the most critical topic of this or any other time, our compulsion for dividing people into good guys and bad guys. Us and Them not only provokes, fascinates, and informs; it is one of those rare books that may actually make a difference."
—John Horgan, author of The End of Science and Rational Mysticism

"David Berreby brings wit, charm, and curiosity to his book about the ugliest habits of our species-an amazing feat. He steers with a sure hand between the Scylla of earnestness and the Charybdis of detachment while he explains how the psychological, social, and brain sciences are learning about our readiness to divide all humanity into Us and Them."
—Jonathan Shay, MD, PhD, author of Achilles in Vietnam

"In Us and Them, David Berreby ranges from cutting-edge brain research to today's headlines, and his topic--one that lies at the very root of human conflict--couldn't be more compelling. Although there may always be some objective basis for a human group, all groups cross-cut and overlap. Our own circumstances and minds determine which groups we give importance to. Everyone should take Berreby's message to heart."
—Derek Bickerton, Professor of Linguistics, University of Hawai'i