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The Insect Epiphany

How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture

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The Insect Epiphany

By: Barrett Klein
Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins
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About this listen

From entomologist Barrett Klein comes a buzz-worthy exploration of the many ways insects have affected human society, history, and culture

Insects surround us. They fuel life on Earth through their roles as pollinators, predators, and prey, but rarely do we consider the outsize influence they have had on our culture and civilization. Their anatomy and habits inform how we live, work, create art, and innovate. Featuring nearly 250 color images—from ancient etchings to avant-garde art, from bug-based meals to haute couture—The Insect Epiphany proves that our world would look very different without insects, not just because they are crucial to our ecosystems, but because they have shaped and inspired so many aspects of what makes us human.

 Animals Biological Sciences Biology Ecology Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Ecosystem

Critic Reviews

“The Insect Epiphany has substantially broadened my appreciation of insects, with a fascinating dive into the services—beyond the ecological ones—that they perform. Indeed, this book has given me my own unexpected epiphany that insects have impacted human cultures and molded our lives in myriad ways I hadn’t imagined.”—Douglas W. Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope
“The Insect Epiphany is exceptionally beautiful, deeply enlightening, and just a little bizarre. If you're a stranger to Barrett Klein, entomologist and artist extraordinaire, then this book is an ideal way to make his acquaintance and enjoy his special knowledge.”—Thomas D. Seeley, author of Honeybee Democracy
"Playful, erudite, endlessly imaginative, and written with exacting clarity, The Insect Epiphany is overflowing with fascinating information and deep scholarly knowledge. An enthralling ride, it will change how you think about insects and, perhaps more importantly, it will also change how you think about yourself."—Hugh Raffles, author of Insectopedia
“A personal—and personable—guide to cultural entomology. ‘Tour de force’ doesn’t do The Insect Epiphany justice. It’s a triumph!”—May Berenbaum, National Medal of Science award–winning entomologist
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