Description: Contrary to popular belief and feminist theory, beauty is not a cultural construct that exists to tyrannize women and line the pockets of Madison Avenue fashion designers. Fascination with the human form is universal, according to scientist Nancy Etcoff, and every human civilization has revered beauty, pursued it at enormous costs, and endured the tragic and comical consequences of this pursuit. Informed by state-of-the-art theories of the human mind from cognitive science and evolutionary biology, "Survival of the Prettiest" explains why gentlemen prefer blondes, why high heels have never gone out of style, why lipstick, in particular, and cosmetics, in general, are billion-dollar businesses, why eyebrows are plucked and hair is coiffed in the latest styles. When the attainment of beauty is viewed in the context of a Darwinian struggle for survival, many of the most extreme behaviors surrounding our looks, such as body piercing and serial plastic surgeries, suddenly seem less outlandish. In fact, those very behaviors may ensure the survival of our genes.

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