This book, and the accompanying BBC documentary series, was roundly condemned in feminist circles when first published. If there was an ascent of man, it was argued, its result was the descent of women. I must admit to boycotting the initial broadcast in 1973 because of this blowback and it was not until a few months later, when Michael Parkinson interviewed Bronowski on his talk show, that I began to regret my decision. He was not only warm, witty and fully human, he was als