The professor in the cage

why men fight and why we like to watch

by

288 pages

English language

Published July 19, 2015

ISBN:
978-1-59420-563-7
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
881888190

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(1 review)

"When a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym moves in across the street from his office, Jonathan Gottschall sees a challenge, and an opportunity. Pushing forty, out of shape, and disenchanted with his job as an adjunct English professor, part of him yearns to cross the street and join up. The other part is terrified. Gottschall eventually works up his nerve, and starts training for a real cage fight. He's fighting not only as a personal test but also to answer questions that have intrigued him for years: Why do men fight? And why do so many seemingly decent people like to watch?"--Amazon.com.

2 editions

reviewed The professor in the cage by Jonathan Gottschall

Review of 'The professor in the cage' on 'Goodreads'

A really great book, though not entirely what I expected. Gottschall very cleverly avoids the usual straight autobiography and instead uses his story as a jumping off point to delve into the social, biological, cultural and evolutionary aspects of men and violence. His experience of coming to MMA as an older man and his realizations about his earlier study of traditional martial arts matches my own, as well. I'd recommend this not only to fight fans but to parents of boys as well.

Subjects

  • Hand-to-hand fighting
  • Spectators
  • Psychology
  • Aggressiveness
  • Mixed martial arts
  • Violence in men
  • Fighting (Psychology)