How does a person learn to love? This question is explored by Michel Odent, who develops a fascinating multidisciplinary model of this essential human emotion based on biochemistry, biology, behavioral research, and anthropology. The roots of love are found at the cellular level—humans are biologically predisposed to love. A brief, crucial phase immediately after birth shapes our future capacity to love. The prototype of human love is the maternal love for the newborn. Odent convincingly demonstrates why the development of our capacity to love must become a survival strategy for humanity, especially in light of a civilization threatened by violence and destructiveness.