The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide

by Richard Conniff

A naturalist presents a tongue-in-cheek study of the wealthy, noting their pecking orders and mating practices; drawing comparisons between the actions of the rich and animals in the wild; and offering examples about noted wealthy figures.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Humor, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Society

344 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Richard Conniff, a Guggenheim Fellow and winner of the National Magazine Award, is the author most recently of House of Lost Worlds: Dinosaurs, Dynasties, and the Story of Life on Earth. He writes for Smithsonian and National Geographic and is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, and a former commentator on NPR's All Things Considered. His other books include The Natural History of the Rich, Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time, and The Species Seekers. He lives in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extended comparison between various animal species (everything from bluebirds to elephants) and that most peculiar subset of human species, the very, very rich. Although at times Conniff tries a bit too hard to link displays of wealth to evolutionary biology, he's never ever dull. Who doesn't, after all, love to hear tales of the rich and famous, especially when said R&F are being taken down a peg?

Using the animal kingdom as a reference point, too, leads to interesting themes Conniff explores in such chapters as "The Long Social Climb: From Monkeys to Moguls," "Living Large: The Habitats of the Rich," or "Take This Gift, Dammit!: Dominance the Nice Way." Thus virtually all behaviors the rich are famed for (and a few previously unconsidered) are linked to the quest for social dominance, mating displays, and natural selection. It's a refreshing and sometimes startling way to view this much-envied (and very small) sector of the population.

For sheer anecdotal value, this book comes up trumps. Conniff seems to have penetrated practically every überwealthy haunt around the globe, from Monaco to the palaces of the Mughals. The breadth of his survey over the natural kingdom and the social scene is impressive, not to mention that he dishes more juicy dirt than any tabloid rag could come up with, all ostensibly in the Name of Science. Great stuff.

I've got several of Conniff's books on the animal kingdom, Spineless Wonders and Every Creeping Thing, so it's interesting to see that he's extending his turf now to homo sapiens. His most recent book, The Ape in the Corner continues to examine human nature in terms of Nature.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide by Richard Coniff (W.W. Norton & Co. 2002) (305.5234). I've just finished reading the first volume I've ever picked up by Richard Coniff which was entitled Spineless Wonders: Strange Tales From the Invertebrate World. After having read these two, I can aver that this author is fascinated by outliers.
While reading The Natural History of the Rich, I was struck by the fact that countless human behaviors that the author attributes to differences in wealth can just as easily be explained by the differences between the sexes. Coniff is spot-on when he sorts humanity into various piles based on interests, motivations, and passions. I think he's really onto something here, but I believe it's more a function of lust than a question of wealth. My rating: 7.25/10, finished 7/9/18.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I wanted from it- humorous, slightly patronizing, steeped in anecdotes and allegory. I learned the most from the framework of dominance
Best sentence: p.235 "the women... were encouraged to perform karaoke, and other indecent acts."

P.264
"Such behaviours as delayed reproduction, mate-guarding, inbreeding, birth control, infanticide (particularly of daughters), primogeniture, and generation-skipping trusts have all served in various times and places as the Darwinian tools of dynasty building."

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another of the varied books I heard on tape. The book compared social patterns of affluent people with wild animals. It was
entertaining and light listening. I was reminded of a favorite book that I like to read with Riley, Jan Karon's 'Violet Comes to Stay' where the mother cat teaches Violet rules for catching mice: (1) prowl silently (2) plan your leap carefully (3) pounce boldly.

[Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just skimmed this. I wasn't in the mood for it. Conniff describes the habits of the super rich, using evolutionary psychology. He has a mix of precepts amid a ton of anecdotes. After a few pages, I wanted to get out of the marbled entryways, the private nightclubs and the exclusive beaches.

[Jos dujardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing

The perspective provided on the subspecies “homo sapiens fortunatissimo” is amusing and consolating to read for the subspecies “homo sapiens ordinalis”. As a reader you wonder why there is sometimes so much focus on one topic ( the author for sure likes Blenheim castle and all family history around it) and on the other hand you wonder why some of the most well known examples of interbreeding, the Habsburgs, are not mentioned. A funny book that makes you conclude that we are just another kind of animal.

[Wolvdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelent book, with a lot of comparisons of the behaviors of the rich people between the animals.
Things like opulence, accumulation, territorial and social dominance, are behaviors similar to what happens in the animal world. This book is quite interesting, in the sense that it not only shows us what a rich man's code of life is like, but also his fears compared to the behavior of alpha males in the animal kingdom.

[Alicia Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find evolutionary biology and psychology fascinating, and this has plenty. Mostly, though, this book is full of entertaining anecdotes about the super wealthy. It's the sort of fun read I can't imagine anyone not enjoying. Summary: "Yes, they're weird; here are some illustrations and explanations."

[Joel Cigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant read but it was quite DATED. I think some of the information still applies today. Most of the information was common sense...

“Food & Sex are what the Darwinian struggle is all about.”

[Egmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, really enjoy the story-telling and his writing style.

[Westley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Evin Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious; an absolute gem of wit and anthropology. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a reprieve from deep philosophical inquiry into the mien of human nature, or anyone in general seeking an enlightening laugh.

Speaking of, I almost died laughing on multiple counts reading certain passages which drew stunning parallel between human hierarchy and bestial behavior. Richard Conniff himself is a veritable comic genius, lacing his observations with punctual, precise humor. Not once did his writing ever come across as anything more or less than genuinely erudite, honest and humorous. (Check out p.193 for some astute visual comparisons between wealthy human elites and their animal counterparts).

All in all, a beautiful farce reminding us that we are only the most sophisticated animal on the planet.

[Martin Crim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was updating my Amazon wishlist and saw this book listed at $.01 for a hardback. It's sad to see such a great book listed for next to nothing, but it means that if you find the subject interesting you can get a copy for about the same amount (including shipping) as driving to the library (if you live about 4 miles from the library). Why not pick up a copy? Read the blurb at Amazon and see if it's worth the cost of a coffee and biscotti.

[Dima · Rating 5 out of 5]

facts and humour go along well together. especially when its about human behaviour. apparantly, changing your social status (up, or down) does not necessarily make you more or less human.

its full of cliche, but with real comparison to animal behaviour. you'd enjoy every page, smile or laugh your way through in an effortless quick read.

highly recommended to own. get the hard cover.

[Martim De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable and full of sincerity all around.
Paranoia in addition to irrational FEARS against others.
Little white lies and huge deception to protect current status against "new comers".
HILARIOUS and so instructive !!

[Martin Hromada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny biology of very specific kind of humans - those super rich ones, using evolutionary psychology. Many anecdotes interleaved with scientific research, comparisons with animals etc. Nice for students, low probability of getting bored.

[Robin Canaday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent pulp non-fiction, popular/speculative science book.
I thought the writer had a personable and humorous style. Very readable.

[Kupie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting ideas.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by journalists for National Geographic and Architectural Digest. Witty, hysterical and insightful. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Suzy Perucca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Entertaining and thought provoking.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and funny book about social dominance. I definitely recommend it.

[Nate]

Semi-satirical, semi-scientific look into biology of rich people from behaviour to genetics. Just not the right thing for me right now, though I enjoyed the 1/4 that I read.