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How the Chicken Crossed the World

The Story of the Bird that Powers Civilisations
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( 581 ratings, 116 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
How the Chicken Crossed the World by Andrew Lawler explores the fascinating journey of the chicken from its roots in prehistoric jungles to becoming a global staple in cuisine and culture. The book delves into the historical and scientific significance of the bird, examining how it has influenced economies and traditions across the globe. Through captivating storytelling, Lawler highlights the chicken's role in human society and its impact on our modern world.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intersection of history, science, and nature. It explores the cultural and evolutionary journey of a bird that has had a profound influence on human civilisation, providing insights into both ancient and modern societies. Enthusiasts of global history and those curious about the surprising ways animals shape our world may find it particularly compelling.

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Everything you need to know (or would be interested to learn) about humanity's other best friend and partner, the humble chicken, who played a crucial role in world history.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Queen Victoria was obsessed with it. Socrates' last words were about it. Charles Darwin and Louis Pasteur made their scientific breakthroughs using it. Hailed as a messenger of the gods, powerful sex symbol, gambling aid, all-purpose medicine, and handy research tool, the humble chicken has also been cast as the epitome of evil, and the star of the world's most famous joke.

Beginning with the recent discovery that the chicken's unlikely ancestor is the T. Rex, How the Chicken Crossed the World tracks the chicken from its original domestication in the jungles of Southeast Asia some 10,000 years ago to today's Western societies, where it became the most engineered of animals, and to the uncertain future of what is now humanity's single most important source of protein.

In a masterful combination of historical sleuthing and journalistic exploration on four continents, Andrew Lawler reframes the way we feel and think about all domesticated animals and even nature itself.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Andrew Lawler's book presents the chicken as a multifaceted contributor to human civilisation, highlighting its significant cultural, economic, and scientific roles throughout history. Celebrated by publications like the Guardian and Nature, the narrative restores the chicken to its esteemed place in our world, illustrating its impact and potential benefits for both chickens and humans.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780715650691

Publisher: Duckworth Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 June 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Duckworth

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Andrew Lawler is the author of more than a thousand newspaper and magazine articles on subjects ranging from asteroids to zebrafish. He is a contributing writer for Science magazine, a contributing editor for Archaeology magazine and has written for National Geographic, Smithsonian, Discover, The New York Times, and several European newspapers. Visit him at andrewlawler.com.

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