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Canongate has nabbed The Sexual Evolution by evolutionary biologist Nathan H Lents.
Senior commissioning editor Helena Gonda acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Antony Topping at Greene and Heaton, with US rights going to Matt Harper at Mariner Books. Both Canongate and Mariner will publish in Spring 2025.
"Amusing, enlightening, and meticulously researched, The Sexual Evolution is full of unexpected examples—from silent crickets to lesbian albatrosses to bonobos that French kiss—which reveal how the human construction of gender and sexuality flows very natural from animal reproduction and sexual behaviour," the synopsis says. "Why do aspects of our sexual behaviour mirror behaviours throughout the animal world? Because the theme of sex and gender is that diversity wins, a truth that has served animals well for millions of years and that human are finally beginning to appreciate."
Lents commented: "In the public conversation regarding sex, gender and sexuality, the field of biology deserves a bigger seat at the table. With this book, I am forcefully pulling up a chair."
Gonda added: "Nathan is such an engaging writer and a natural storyteller, not to mention very, very funny. This book offers fascinating insights into the history of animal sexuality and argues persuasively that many of our supposedly modern ideas about gender and human sexuality are, in fact, deeply rooted in our animal ancestors."