You think humans invented power? Think again.

Chimpanzee Politics by Frans de Waal is one of the most fascinating books ever written about power, leadership, and human nature. Through years of observing chimpanzees at Arnhem Zoo, de Waal uncovered a world of alliances, betrayals, coalition building, dominance hierarchies, and political maneuvering that feels startlingly familiar. Are humans really unique, or do chimpanzees reveal something fundamental about our own psychology? From alpha males and social hierarchy to grooming, theory of mind, cooperation, and manipulation, this book explores the evolutionary roots of politics and the complex social intelligence shared by primates. Along the way, we'll encounter ambitious leaders, kingmakers, rivals, and strategists whose behavior echoes everything from Game of Thrones and Succession to Machiavelli's The Prince. More than a book about chimpanzees, Chimpanzee Politics is a lens through which to understand power, status, leadership, and ourselves.