Nature Versus Nurture

How much of our identity is shaped by our environments? How much is intrinsic to who we are and beyond the control of external forces? These are ancient questions with complex answers. In this collection we've gathered texts that explore the issue of nature versus nurture from a variety of angles.

The Spirit of Laws

by Montesquieu

Publication year 1748

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Justice, Politics & Government, Nature Versus Nurture

Tags Politics & Government, Business & Economics, Philosophy, Science & Nature, Age of Enlightenment, French Literature, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

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The Sports Gene

by David Epstein

Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture

Tags Science & Nature, Sports, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement, Health

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance is a 2013 non-fiction book by David Epstein that investigates the role of genetics in athletics. The Sports Gene became a New York Times best seller and was nominated for the 2014 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing. Epstein, an investigative reporter and a passionate runner, combines data from scientific research, interviews with experts, and biographies and anecdotes of individual athletes to paint a complex... Read The Sports Gene Summary

The Stories Julian Tells

by Ann Cameron

Publication year 1981

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Perseverance, Joy, Loneliness, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Plants, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Objects & Materials, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Relationships, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Humor

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The Subjection of Women

by John Stuart Mill

Publication year 1869

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Equality, Marriage, Nature Versus Nurture

Tags Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Philosophy, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Politics & Government

The book-length essay The Subjection of Women was written in 1869 by John Stuart Mill, an English philosopher known for his progressive, utilitarian ideas. The essay includes four chapters and was published in London by Lonmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer publishers. The Subjection of Women is a persuasive argument, laying out the problem of women’s legal, marital, and societal oppression to show that gender equality is necessary to ensure social justice, improve societal progress, and... Read The Subjection of Women Summary

The Summer Book

by Tove Jansson

Publication year 1972

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture, Family, Love, Place, Grief, Grandparents, Childhood & Youth, Aging

Tags Grief & Death, Scandinavian Literature, Science & Nature, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

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The Vaster Wilds

by Lauren Groff

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Nature Versus Nurture, Femininity, Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Trauma & Abuse, Science & Nature, World History

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The Wild Robot Protects

by Peter Brown

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Future, Animals, Nature Versus Nurture, Family, Community, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Climate Change, Children`s Literature, Animals

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The Witch Elm

by Tana French

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Justice, Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Family, Nature Versus Nurture, Disability, Memory, Hate & Anger, Fear

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Irish Literature

The Witch Elm (2018) is a psychological crime thriller by best-selling American Irish author Tana French. The story follows Toby Hennessy, who unearths harmful family secrets while salvaging his identity after a traumatic assault. A standalone novel separate from French’s award-winning Dublin Murder Squad series, The Witch Elm appeared on NPR’s list of best books from 2018 and the New York Times’s notable books of 2018. Other works by this author include The Trespasser (2016)... Read The Witch Elm Summary