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A Series of Fortunate Events
Chance and the Making of the Planet, Life, and You
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See more*Longlisted for thePEN America Literary Awards 2021:PEN/ E.O Wilson Literary Science Writing Award*
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Description
Longlisted for the PEN America Literary Awards 2021: PEN/E.O Wilson Literary Science Writing Award
Waterstones Best Books of 2020: Popular Science
American Scientist's 2020 Science Book Gift Guide
Why is the world the way it is? How did we get here? Does everything happen for a reason or are some things left to chance?
Philosophers and theologians have pondered these questions for millennia, but startling scientific discoveries over the past half century are revealing that we live in a world driven by chance.
A Series of Fortunate Events tells the story of the awesome power of chance and how it is the surprising source of all the beauty and diversity in the living world. Like every other species, we humans are here by accident. But it is shocking just how many things—any of which might never have occurred—had to happen in certain ways for any of us to exist.
From an extremely improbable asteroid impact, to the wild gyrations of the Ice Age, to invisible accidents in our parents' gonads, we are all here through an astonishing series of fortunate events. And chance continues to reign every day over the razor-thin line between our life and death. This is a relatively small book about a really big idea. It is also a spirited tale.
Drawing inspiration from Monty Python, Kurt Vonnegut, and other great thinkers, and crafted by one of today's most accomplished science storytellers, A Series of Fortunate Events is an irresistibly entertaining and thought-provoking account of one of the most important but least appreciated facts of life.
'Fascinating and exhilarating - Sean B. Carroll at his very best.' - Bill Bryson, author of The Body: A Guide for Occupants
'Golf games, coincidental immunity, and pandemics: A Series of Fortunate Events ranges from examining trivial events to sobering ones, but remains relevant throughout, revealing how chance affects everyday life.' - Rebecca Foster, Foreword Reviews
'Carroll's work renders hefty topics accessible, exploring the perfect storm of events responsible for evolution, the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs and every living person's conception.' - Smithsonian Mag
A Series of Fortunate Events: Chance and the Making of the Planet, Life, and You, Sean B. Carroll from Princeton University Press on Vimeo.
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?
A Series of Fortunate Events has been praised for its wit and engaging style while making complex scientific topics accessible and entertaining. Critics appreciate how Sean B. Carroll highlights the role of chance in shaping life on Earth, offering insights into evolution, historical events, and everyday experiences. The book is seen as a concise, non-technical exploration that blends humour with credible scientific explanations, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for the randomness of existence.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691234694
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 29 March 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Illustration: 40 b/w illus. 1 table.
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 133.0mm
Height: 203.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 232
About the Author
Sean B. Carroll is an award-winning scientist, writer, educator, and film producer. He is Vice President for Science Education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Balo-Simon Chair of Biology at the University of Maryland. His books include The Serengeti Rules (Princeton), Brave Genius, and Remarkable Creatures, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Twitter @SeanBiolCarroll
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