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The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being

Evolution and the Making of Us

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The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being

By: Dr Alice Roberts
Narrated by: Dr Alice Roberts
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About this listen

The presenter of the BBC's The Incredible Human Journey gives us a new and highly accessible look at our own bodies and into the past to uncover the evolutionary secrets hidden in all of us.

Shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize.

Alice Roberts takes you on the most incredible journey, revealing your path from a single cell to a complex embryo to a living, breathing, thinking person. It's a story that connects us with our distant ancestors and an extraordinary, unlikely chain of events that shaped human development and left a mark on all of us.

Alice Roberts uses the latest research to uncover the evolutionary history hidden in all of us, from the secrets found only in our embryos and genes - including why as embryos we have what look like gills - to those visible in your anatomy. This is a tale of discovery, exploring why and how we have developed as we have. This is your story, told as never before.

©2014 Alice Roberts (P)2023 Quercus Editions Limited Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Genetics Science Thought-Provoking Natural History Physiology

Critic reviews

"From your brain to your fingertips, you emerge from her book entertained and with a deeper understanding of yourself." (Richard Dawkins)

"A masterful account of why our bodies are the way they are...this book really shines.... Roberts's lightness of touch is joyous, and celebratory." (Observer)

"Witty, personal and above all informed by passion and deep knowledge, this is the story of you, not just from conception onwards but from the millions of years of evolution that have shaped the way we are today." (Adam Rutherford)
All stars
Most relevant
lots of info. well written. unusual topic. worth a listen. enjoyable and informative. well narrated

interesting

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A fascinating book on human evolution, wide-ranging, very clear both in content and Alice Roberts reading style. Well structured and understandable for non scientists. There is much complex information but this is neatly clarified by the author. imo possibly one of the best books ever. Thank you Alice Roberts.

Review of The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being

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An utterly wonderful walk through of the complexity of the human body. Alice Roberts' reading gives a warmth to what could be an academic treatise but she brings it alive. A must read for student medics and lay people alike. So many times I found myself asking why I'd not thought about the subject before, such as the difference between how limbs are connected to the skeleton.
My biology teacher spent so much time helping me understand the basics of embryology. He made it fascinating and I hope he is still alive to read this book. You have reignited my interest. Thank you, Alice !

Thought provoking

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This book is a joy and I am on my second listen. A brilliant author, speaker and academic. I highly recommend it. Congratulations, Alice! Dr. A.

One of the best I have ever read!

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Love that she explains everything in understandable terms. Would not have looked into such a niche field otherwise. As ever, Prof Alice Roberts has produced an excellent book. I never get tired of listening to her voice.

Fascinating and informative

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