Compete, Play, Win

This book is a sociological examination of competition and the competitive drive, told from the viewpoint of a competition freak. The author explores the energy and force behind the need to compete, and what the consequence of that need is. In the chapter “Sperm Wars,” Apostolico discusses conception as the beginning of the competitive nature of humans, while also discussing the competition for a mate that precedes it. Through this, he sets up the idea of a biological necessity for competition and how evolution has modified and enhanced that drive. In a later chapter called “Competitive Nature,” Apostolico participates in as many competitive endeavors as possible (eating contests, drag races, dog shows, etc.) and answers a set of 10 questions about each, concluding with, “Can a competitive junkie ever truly feel satisfied?”