An exciting and surprise-filled exploration of human nature through the behavior of our closest relative. It is no secret that humans and monkeys share many traits. Scientists tell us that we have a common ancestor, so it is natural for us to resemble each other.

Of course, these common traits are not always flattering: the chimpanzee, for example, can become as malevolent and selfish as any human. However, the common heritage of higher mammals includes much more than our predisposition to violence.

In the book "The Bonobo and the Atheist," Frans De Waal, a globally recognized expert in the social behavior of primates, presents the provocative idea that our noblest traits—generosity, kindness, altruism—are just as much a part of our nature as our basic instincts. After all, we share these traits with another higher mammal: the lesser-known bonobo.

Genetically as closely related to humans as chimpanzees, the bonobo is radically different from its cousin: while chimpanzees are aggressive, bonobos are kind, nurturing, and sexual—they engage in sex not only for reproduction but also for pleasure and social bonding.

Given the parallel between chimpanzee aggression and human brutality, Frans De Waal demonstrates that the friendly bonobo also serves as a model for studying the evolutionary heritage of humans, making it clear that our most noble qualities are more deeply embedded in our DNA than many scientists have believed until now.