A Little Gay Natural History

Pop this gem of a book in your bag and you’ll almost want to be stuck on a bus so there’s time to read it.

Packed with colourful imagery and fascinating insight, A Little Gay Natural History celebrates the astonishing diversity of sexual behaviour, biology and reproduction found in nature. Or, as Stephen Fry describes it, ‘A very welcome slap on the wrist for those who claim that same-sex love, intimacy and bonding are “unnatural”. Josh Davis’s splendid book will be a most useful settler of arguments and silencer of bigots.’

Davis considers how, in both animals and plants, sexual reproduction and determination rely on a complex interaction between genes, hormones, environment and chance. Meet turtles whose sex is set by the incubation temperature of their eggs and a butterfly that embodies male and female biological tissue.

He also reveals behaviours in nature that have previously been covered up and explains how same-sex courtship is more widespread than many realise - encouraging readers to rethink any assumptions. Expect to be informed, surprised and entertained.