Beauty is not a myth. According to scientist and psychologist Nancy Etcoff, the pursuit of beauty is neither
a cultural construction, an invention of Madison Avenue, nor a backlash against feminism. Survival of the Prettiest,
the first in-depth scientific inquiry into the nature of human beauty, posits that beauty is an essential and ineradicable
part of human nature, from what makes a face beautiful to the deepest questions about the human condition. Etcoff
sheds light on every aspect of human beauty, including why we devour fashion magazines, check our waistlines, and
gaze longingly at objects of desire. Informed by state-of-the-art theories of the human mind from cognitive science
and evolutionary biology, Survival of the Prettiest tells us why gentlemen prefer blondes, why high heels have
never gone out of style, why eyebrows are plucked and hair is coiffed. Etcoff also explains how sexual preference
is guided by ancient rules that make us most attracted to those with whom we are most likely to reproduce. Research
on why we find infant features irresistibly attractive, as well as controversial new work that suggests parents
show more affection to attractive newborns, is part of a broad investigation that includes insights into how beauty
influences our perceptions, attitudes, and behavior toward others.