The Evolving Brain

An extraordinary new perspective on our brain, The Evolving Brain reveals that the ancient, evolutionary roots of our drives, emotions and behaviours are the cause of many of the challenges we face in the modern world, and equips readers with the tools to live a happier, more fulfilled life.

Neurologist and neuroscientist Dr Paul Goldsmith reveals compassionate, practical insights on the evolutionary origins of our brain and how we can best use it to thrive in our daily lives.

A New Scientist 'Best New Popular Science Books of 2026' pick.

We often blame ourselves when we struggle with modern life. We see loneliness, anxiety, and burnout as signs of personal failure. We feel miserable when we fall short of the unachievable goals we've set. We become frustrated when we compare our lives to others - whether through job titles or social media likes.

But the problem isn't you. The problem is that the human brain was built for an environment utterly different to the one we now inhabit. Processes that once ensured our survival now leave us overloaded, restless and unhappy. Yet we don't have to struggle: by understanding our brain's original design, we can work with it to thrive.

In The Evolving Brain, Dr Paul Goldsmith draws on cutting-edge neuroscience and case studies from his clinical practice to produce the definitive user's guide to our ancient mind, offering actionable insights to help us live happier, healthier and more connected lives.

About the Author

Dr Paul Goldsmith is a neuroscientist and practising neurologist. He has a triple first in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge and a clinical scholarship from the University of Oxford. He undertook postgraduate medical training in Oxford, at the National Hospital for Neurology in London, and in Cambridge, then a Ph.D. in developmental neuroscience at Cambridge, leading to an interest in evolutionary medicine. He is a visiting professor at Imperial College London in the Institute of Global Health Innovation.