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Some Assembly Required

Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA
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( 2,391 ratings, 310 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
Some Assembly Required by Neil Shubin delves into the fascinating story of evolution, tracing how countless small changes through time have led to the complex forms of life we see today. The book blends biology, history, and genetics to uncover the surprising ways life has innovated and adapted through natural history.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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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?

This book may appeal to you if you are fascinated by the intricate ways biology, evolution, and nature intertwine to create life as we know it. Neil Shubin takes readers on a captivating journey through scientific discoveries, revealing how simple elements assemble into complex beings.

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Some Assembly Required

Nothing begins when you thought it did…

Nothing begins when you thought it did…

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

Some Assembly Required by Neil Shubin takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the most significant transformations in the history of life on Earth. From the emergence of fish that first walked on land to the incredible evolution of reptiles into feathered birds capable of flight, Shubin meticulously unpacks the scientific marvels that have shaped our existence over billions of years.

Drawing on his expertise as a renowned palaeontologist and evolutionary biologist, Shubin explores how the building blocks of life have been assembled and reassembled through time, resulting in the astonishing diversity of organisms that populate our world today. He explains how ape-like primates evolved to walk upright, use complex language, and develop intricate tools, leading to the emergence of modern humans. With engaging and enlightening prose, Shubin offers a glimpse into Earth's evolutionary past, revealing the hidden connections that link all living beings.

This is a narrative brimming with unexpected revelations. Think feathers evolved primarily for flight? Or that lungs appeared solely to facilitate terrestrial living? Shubin challenges these common misconceptions, demonstrating the surprising ways these adaptations actually came to be. He brings clarity to the profound changes that have steered the course of evolution, supported by the latest scientific discoveries and advanced research techniques.

Neil Shubin, already acclaimed for his bestselling work Your Inner Fish, delves even deeper into the perplexing and wondrous history of life. In Some Assembly Required, he reveals the ongoing revolutions in our understanding of life's origins and progress. Shubin addresses one of the most profound questions in science: was life on Earth an inevitable outcome of the universe's laws, or simply a series of happy accidents?

With wit, insight, and a deft storytelling touch, Shubin illuminates the complex pathways that have led to the diversity of life forms we observe today. Some Assembly Required is not just a book about scientific history; it's an exploration of the very essence of what it means to be alive.

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?

Some Assembly Required by Neil Shubin has been praised for its engaging storytelling and effective scientific communication. Reviews highlight Shubin's natural ability to entertain while educating, making complex evolutionary topics accessible and enjoyable. His eloquent and humorous approach, combined with rich anecdotes and clear explanations, offers readers a captivating exploration of evolution's great transformations. Many find his work inspiring, emphasising the interconnectedness of all life forms on Earth.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786079428

Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oneworld Publications

Illustration: 40 integrated greyscale images

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 288

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About the Author

Neil Shubin is the author of Your Inner Fish and The Universe Within. He is the Robert R. Bensley Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago, and the provost of The Field Museum of Natural History. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2011. He lives in Chicago.

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