Tamed cover art

Tamed

Ten Species That Changed Our World

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Tamed

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

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Tamed, written and read by Alice Roberts.

The extraordinary story of the species that became our allies.

For hundreds of thousands of years, our ancestors depended on wild plants and animals for survival. They were hunter-gatherers, consummate foraging experts, taking the world as they found it. Then a revolution occurred - our ancestors' interaction with other species changed. They began to tame them. The human population boomed; civilisation began.

In Tamed, Alice Roberts uncovers the deep history of 10 familiar species with incredible wild pasts: dogs, apples and wheat; cattle, potatoes and chickens; rice, maize and horses - and, finally, humans.

She reveals how becoming part of our world changed these animals and plants, and shows how they became our allies, essential to the survival and success of our own species.

Enlightening, wide-ranging and endlessly fascinating, Tamed encompasses thousands of years of history and archaeology alongside cutting-edge genetics and anthropology. Yet it is also a deeply personal journey that changes how we see ourselves and the species on which we have left our mark.

An Economist and Mail on Sunday Book of the Year 2017.

©2018 Alice Roberts (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks Biological Sciences Science Social Sciences Survival Africa

Critic Reviews

"A masterpiece of evocative scientific storytelling." (Brian Cox)
"The best popular book on broad-sweep history since Guns, Germs and Steel." (Peter Forbes)
All stars
Most relevant  
I loved every minute of this brilliant book, it is another masterpiece. Will surely listen again.

Brilliant work

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This book was well structured. It flowed so well. I learned so much. Thank you.

incredibly interesting book

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Alice’s enthusiasm for the area of genetics and life comes through in her writing and oration. I feel I could never read this book as I would be overwhelmed by the many facts and figures that she crams in but I loved listening to it!

How the world of genetics has moved forward.

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Captivating such an interesting book learning how plants and animals interact with us, and modified how we developed

Highly recommend

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I’m a big fan of Alice Roberts and her documentaries etc. This book doesn’t disappoint. An interesting look at 10 domesticated species with a focus on science. That said there are some lovely stories, poems and personal experiences woven throughout. Easy to listen to.

Interesting Listen

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I am such a fan for all you communicate
Go well Prof Roberts for your next project

Thank you

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A fascinating account of the domestication of ten species, including people. Well researched and well written. The only complaint is the author’s determination to see domesticated animals as the “allies” of humanity, when they are in fact enslaved by us, and suffer at the hands of humans. A chicken who lives a short caged life before being slaughtered and eaten has hardly won the Darwinian lottery. It’s a shame the book did not recognise the abuse that comes in tandem with domestication.

Interesting and well researched

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A great book that looks at the domestication of ten species. Really easy to listen to and easy to understand concepts.
If you like Alice Roberts on TV then you will enjoy listening to her narration of her own book.

Fascinating.

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Amazing, eye opening, beautiful. Incredibly researched, the puzzle woven together to show the scope and depth of the whole. A ripping yarn beautiful read.
I’m going to listen to it again! Don’t stop being a curious puppy.

A must read for the sake of our future.

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Narration perfect
Subject fascinating
Never boring
Learned a lot
Worth relistening to
Would recommend
Only wish is that it was longer

Great

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