Early Human History

For most of human history, life offered no safety net. Environments shifted, resources vanished, and stability was always temporary. People lived on the move—carrying knowledge, forming bonds, and adapting to constant change. This audiobook examines how human life took shape long before familiar societies appeared. Drawing on archaeology, anthropology, and evolutionary science, it explores how early humans lived, moved, cooperated, and adapted over deep time.

The human species is relatively new to the planet in geologic terms. With origins reaching back only a few million years, the rise of humans from primate ancestors is a remarkable evolutionary success story. Early Humans traces the beginnings of the human species, its success and adaptability, and the development of such innovations as human language and culture.

Inspired by Sarah DiGregorio’s harrowing experience giving birth to her premature daughter, Early is a compelling and empathetic blend of memoir and rigorous reporting that tells the story of neonatology – and explores the questions raised by premature birth. ‘Early is a definitive history...

Bloomsbury presents Ocean: A History of the Atlantic Before Columbus by John Haywood, read by Ben Eagle. Ocean is an ambitious history of the pre-Columbian Atlantic Ocean, a story that begins with the formation of the mid-Atlantic ridge some 200 million years ago and ends with the Castilian...

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE PRIZE 2025 SHORTLISTED FOR THE NEUMANN PRIZE 2025 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COUNT? WHY ARE HUMANS THE ONLY SPECIES ON EARTH THAT CAN DO IT? WHERE DID COUNTING COME FROM? HOW HAS IT SHAPED SOCIETIES ALONG THE WAY? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?...

Discover how Ice Age foragers sparked an agricultural revolution that birthed civilization and social inequality. Perfect for an inquisitive daily commute, this immersive historical journey explores the dramatic climate shifts that forced humanity to trade nomadic freedom for permanent...

A History of the World in12 Diseases focuses on the key diseases and infections that have shaped the modern world as we know it. This book chronicles the diseases that have changed the world, helped us to develop vaccines and technology, and ultimately altered the course of history. It includes...

Most scientists believe the evolution of humans has a history nearly as long as life itself. Anatomically modern humans and all other life that has existed on the planet first came about from the single-celled microorganisms that emerged approximately four billion years ago. Through the processes of mutation and natural selection, all forms of life developed, and this continuous lineage of life makes it difficult to say precisely when one species completely separates from another.

Travel back to the Stone Age to learn how early humans survived and traded before money was ever invented. Perfect for a curious family road trip or captivating homeschooling session, this educational adventure follows Luma, a young hunter-gatherer. Listeners explore a fascinating prehistoric...

Embark on a fast-paced, story-driven journey through human civilization to decode the historical forces shaping our world. Ditching dry dates and tedious timelines, this sweeping big history adventure focuses on vivid scenes of innovation, conquest, and cooperation. Whether you are optimizing a...

Discover how the migration of peoples has shaped the modern world. This beautifully-illustrated book details the movement of people and cultures around the world - from the early migrations of Homo erectus out of Africa 50,000 years ago to modern refugee movements and migrations. Through...

Trace the epic evolution of human civilization from early migrations to the digital age in this sweeping world history. Perfect for your daily commute or deep-focus learning, this awe-inspiring narrative connects the massive dots of our shared past. Experience the triumphs, devastating conflicts...

The Cro-Magnon were Homo sapiens, and the most defining characteristics of the species are the cultural traits that begin to show in the archaeological record. Tools were beginning to be made from multiple materials, and these people would often travel long distances or trade to acquire specific materials for tools. Symbolic material became increasingly common among them, as cave paintings, figurines, shell beads, pendants, and even early burials were more common with modern humans than Neanderthals.

Technically speaking, slavery was not legal in the English-speaking world before the mid-17th century. But long before race-based slavery was entrenched in law and practice, English men and women were well aware of the various forms of human bondage practiced in other nations and, in less systematic ways, their own country. In wide-ranging detail, Slaves and Englishmen demonstrates how slavery shaped the ways the English interacted with people and places throughout the Atlantic world. As this revealing history shows, the implications of slavery were closely connected to the question of what it meant to be English.

Embark on an awe-inspiring natural history journey to explore the epic evolution of life on a young, hostile Earth. Whether transforming a daily commute into a cinematic adventure or unwinding with an atmospheric scientific narrative, this gripping guided tour brings vanished ecosystems back to...

Discover how the migration of peoples has shaped the modern world. This book details the movement of people and cultures around the world - from the early migrations of Homo erectus out of Africa 50,000 years ago to modern refugee movements and migrations. Through intimate firsthand accounts...

Journey through human evolution to uncover the awe-inspiring survival story of our ancient ancestors. Whether you seek a captivating educational escape during a morning commute or deep learning on a long drive, this immersive prehistoric adventure delivers. Experience the visceral sights and...

Trace the epic history of astronomy from ancient stargazing myths to modern astrophysics and unlock the cosmos. Perfect for an awe-inspiring evening commute or winding down under the night sky, this thought-provoking audio journey connects early philosophers with today's deep-space explorers...

Explore a breathtaking archaeological mystery and witness the dawn of human creativity in the depths of the Ice Age. Transport yourself to the atmospheric landscapes of prehistoric France, where nomadic hunter-gatherers left behind a stunning visual language. Perfect for a focused commute or a...

Step into the dawn of civilization and discover how ancient hunter-gatherers survived the radical shift to urban living. Perfect for an educational morning commute, this immersive archaeological journey transports you to the Neolithic Near East. Witness a bold social experiment unfold as...