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A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

The Stories in Our Genes
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( 11,128 ratings, 1,166 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
A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford delves into the story of humanity through the lens of genetics. It explores how DNA shapes our understanding of history, revealing the interconnectedness of all humans and debunking myths about race, ancestry, and evolution. The book provides a fascinating look at what our genes can tell us about the past and present.
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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 genetics and the story of human evolution. With engaging and accessible storytelling, it explores how our DNA speaks volumes about our shared past and the complexities of human identity. This book will appeal to anyone curious about science, history, and what it means to be human.

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A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

A dazzling tour of the latest genetic discoveries which are blurring the boundaries between science and history - 'Brilliant, authoritative, surprising, captivating' BRIAN COX

A dazzling tour of the latest genetic discoveries which are blurring the boundaries between science and history - 'Brilliant, authoritative, surprising, captivating' BRIAN COX

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

A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford is a fascinating exploration of human existence told through the lens of genetics. This book presents an enthralling narrative that delves into the essence of who we are as a species and how we came to be.

Rutherford embarks on a captivating journey, taking readers from the ancient past to the present day, unravelling the genetic threads that weave through our collective history. Each human being carries within their genome a unique yet interconnected tapestry of ancestral stories—stories of survival, adaptation, and evolution. This book is not just the story of one person but of the 100 billion humans who have ever walked the earth.

Throughout A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived, Rutherford explains how our genes narrate historical episodes filled with births, deaths, diseases, wars, famines, migrations, and a significant amount of intimate connections. The result is a comprehensive and vivid portrait of human history seen from an entirely new perspective. The author sheds light on how modern genetics enables us to decode the mysteries of our ancestors, bringing to life tales of Neanderthals, the rise and fall of empires, the plague, and the genetic foundations of traits like red hair.

Rutherford’s expertise makes complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. He explores enlightened theories such as epigenetics and evolution, effectively demystifying the science behind our origins. This is an illuminating account that not only reveals what our genes can tell us about the past but also what the history embedded in our DNA says about who we are today.

Written with clarity, wit, and a deep understanding of both science and history, A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived offers readers a richer appreciation of human nature and our shared genetic heritage. Adam Rutherford's work is a powerful testament to the interconnectedness of humanity, presenting a fresh and profound understanding of the past and its impact on the present.

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 Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford is praised for its captivating and witty prose. Reviewers highlight how Rutherford authoritatively demystifies genetics, offering profound insights into our identity, history, and future. It is considered an enlightening and accessible read that cuts through the complexities of genetic science.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781780229072

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 September 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 317g

Pages: 432

Customer Reviews

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K
Kevsta
Fascinating!

Our written history only goes back a few hundred years, but archaeologists have traced history back a few thousand years. Geneticists can now determine history going back millions of years and the story is fascinating.

A lot of the things we have learned from genetics come from experiments that an ethics committee would never sanction, but which humans have done regardless, e.g. inbreeding within royal families, starving the Dutch during WWII, separating the population into castes in India, and many more.

I really enjoyed the book but I did find some sections challenging, although if you have a better grasp of biology then that will help

About the Author

Dr Adam Rutherford is a scientist, writer and broadcaster. He has written and presented award-winning series and programmes for the BBC, including Radio 4's Inside Science and The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry with Dr Hannah Fry. He is the author of Creation, shortlisted for the Wellcome Trust Prize, A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived, The Book of Humans, the Sunday Times bestselling How to Argue With a Racist and the co-author of Rutherford and Fry's Complete Guide to Absolutely Everything (Abridged).

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