Anthony Shafton was born in Chicago in 1937. This is his fifth book. He has written on subjects as diverse as dream psychology, African American cultural sociology, and the biological evolution of self-awareness in humans and other primates. Shafton has always been a writer and independent scholar, with degrees from Harvard and Stanford Universities. Before retiring, he earned his living in a variety of occupations, including teacher, merchant seaman, craftsman and small businessman. After living all over the country and in England, he has been at home since 2012 in Reno, Nevada.