Fascinating look into the development of the human brain and religion. I'm not a religious person, but I can see how we created gods to sooth ourselves. When you think about it, we are the gods we created. We use religion, and membership in any given religion, as much as a group networking group and alliance of community, as a worshipping of a god, or gods. I think this book could have appeal to anyone interested in human development. I'm also not entirely convinced animals aren't sentinent and capable of imagining another's wants, needs, feelings, etc... I'm not convinced anyone can measure that in non-humans.

A really interesting text for those who want to deepen some aspects of human evolution. The first part of the book is perhaps a little difficult for those who, like me, do not have a specific preparation on the structure of the brain, although the author has clearly made every effort to explain an extremely difficult subject which, in part, is still not completely understood. The second part, however, is much simpler and very enlightening. The author rightly gives no answer to the possible question: was God out there, ready to manifest himself when man was ready to understand him, or did he emerge from the human brain, being therefore a creature and not a creator? Well, this is a matter of faith and, as I said, the author refrains. Whatever the truth may be (which we do not and cannot know), some facts are set out with linear clarity: 40,000 years ago human evolution had reached a stage where it was able to contemplate the transcendent (a time which, curiously enough, coincides with the biblical reckoning on the creation of the world) and this transcendent has taken on the same characteristics everywhere in the world, although it has 'manifested' itself separately, due to the scarcity of population and distances. Identical characteristics, albeit with different personifications, from a single god to several of those in charge of the most minute aspects of personal, social and political life in the various societies. This should lead to serious reflection on religions, which are nothing more than 'local' aspects of the mind turned to a god, and on the fact that the gods they lose are destined for museums instead of altars.