The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being cover art

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 Biology Evolution Evolution & Genetics Genetics Science 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)
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Once again ive thoroughly enjoyed listening to Professor Alice Roberts narrate this book, fascinating look into the human body and how we have come to be

Another great Alice Roberts book

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A thoroughly entertaining and informative book, just as you’d expect from Dr Alice Roberts. Well worth listening.

Excellent

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Whilst the evolutionary story told is not in itself new, Roberts smoothly delivers a readily understood and entertaining narrative. I can’t believe how quickly the time past whilst immersed in this wonderful audiobook.

Easy listening makes for easy learning

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This is a thoughtful and orderly discussion of why we're built the way we are and why that matters. Highly recommend.

An excellent explanation of the why!

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I thoroughly enjoyed Alice reading to me on my beach walks.
Cleared away many cobwebs
Excellent 👍

Facts, beautifully packaged and understood 😌

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Really enjoyed listening learnt heaps. Looking forward to listening again to reinforce and find out what I missed!

Fascinating

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