The Chimps of Gombe , Jane Goodall

An intriguing account of the lives of our closest relatives, Pan troglodytes. The many similarities to human behavior granted me a good perspective on man's place in nature.

Plagues and Peoples , William H. McNeill

A groundbreaking study of the role of disease in shaping human history. This book helped me understand how white Europeans came to conquer much of the world without being inherently superior in any way.

Ecological Imperialism , Alfred W. Crosby

A wonderful extension to Plagues and Peoples, this book explains how European plants and animals displaced native floras and faunas in many parts of the world just as Europeans displaced native peoples with their diseases. One of many books which helped rid me of ethnocentrism and cultural paternalism (those hallmarks of the Anglo-American worldview).

The Pursuit of Power , William H. McNeill

The most lucid treatment I have encountered of the history of technology and warfare, and how they intertwine with economic forces. A must read for students of human history.

The Third Chimpanzee , Jared Diamond

A terrific comparative study of the human life cycle and social behaviors versus those of other animals, especially our closest relatives, the apes.

Guns, Germs, and Steel (Pulitzer Prize winner), Jared Diamond

An extremely insightful consideration of why European cultures were better poised for eventual world domination from the beginnings of agricultural 10,000 years ago, due entirely to geographical and biological factors, not racial or cultural superiority. Picks up where Plagues and Peoples left off by considering the ultimate causes behind Europeans' rise to dominance. Ever Since Darwin, The Panda's Thumb, Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes, The Flamingo's Smile, Bully for Brontosaurus, Eight Little Piggies, Dinosaur in a Haystack, Leonardo's Mountain of Clams and the Diet of Worms , Stephen J Gould

Spanning over 20 years, these collections of essays extensibly on natural history and evolution also cover geology, paleontology, history, philosophy, astronomy, biochemistry, literature, and touch on a good deal more. These essays inform as well as entertain; anyone interested in evolution in particular or science in general will find them indispensible. Besides being the most knowledgable science writer today, Gould has my vote as the best prose writer in the English language (I don't award such praise lightly).

Full House , Stephen J Gould

A wonderful explication of the proper (statistical) way to interpret apparent trends in complex systems. The major focus is on debunking supposed evolutionary trends, but baseball is discussed at length to illustrate the argument. Some of the points are a little belabored for my taste, but then the intended audience is the layman.

Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History , Stephen J Gould

The fascinating story of how a detailed study of Cambrian creatures preserved in the Burgess Shale helped reformulate our understanding of life's history.

Urchin in the Storm , Stephen J Gould

A collection of book reviews, but general enough to be more like his natural history essays than traditional book reviews.