We asked Dr. Sapolsky what inspired his popular books, and he told us that the importance of continuing public medical education, and communicating with doctors, nurses, psychologists and pharmacologists, motivated his decision to write for the general public.  Sapolsky decided to teach a 6-hour seminar on stress as a continuing medical education requirement for his profession, which led to the production of his first book.  All of his other books seemed to follow when the first was received so well by the public.  Some of Sapolsky's books summarized various scientific papers that had been published recently in the field, while other books reached out to more diverse sources.  

Click here to watch Dr. Sapolsky talk about his book-writing.  (43:52-46:00)