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The Story of the Human Body

Evolution, Health and Disease
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( 8,289 ratings, 789 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
The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman explores how evolutionary changes in human anatomy and physiology have shaped our species over millions of years. The book delves into the impact of these evolutionary developments on modern health issues and discusses how our bodies are maladapted to contemporary lifestyles.
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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?

You might like this book if you're interested in understanding how our evolutionary history has shaped modern human health. It explores the connections between ancient adaptations and contemporary diseases, offering fascinating insights into the roots of common health issues.

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The Story of the Human Body

Shows how we need to change our world to fit our hunter-gatherer bodies. This book of popular science explores how the way we use our bodies is all wrong. It asks how our bodies got to be the way they are, and considers how that evolutionary history - both ancient and recent - can help us evaluate how we use our bodies.

The Story of the Human Body asks how our bodies got to be the way they are, and considers how that evolutionary history - both ancient and recent - can help us evaluate how we use our bodies. And what is the human body's future?

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

The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman is an illuminating exploration of how evolutionary history has shaped the current state of our bodies, and how our modern lifestyle is increasingly out of sync with our ancient anatomical and physiological makeup. This ground-breaking work of popular science asks critical questions about how and why our bodies evolved the way they have, and what this means for our health today and in the future.

In this compelling narrative, Lieberman, a Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, unveils the fundamental principles of evolutionary biology to explain how our hunter-gatherer ancestors lived and thrived. He presents the striking differences between those ancient lifestyles and the sedentary, processed-food-filled existence of the 21st century. From an evolutionary standpoint, it was "normal" for humans to walk and run between 9 to 15 kilometres each day to obtain fresh, high-fibre, unprocessed food.

Lieberman delves into the intricacies of early human life, highlighting activities such as nursing, making stone tools, and socialising within small communities — all normal activities for our ancestors. In contrast, he points out the myriad health issues that have emerged as humans have strayed from these natural behaviours, including conditions like asthma, diabetes, and the looming threat of overpopulation.

By examining the dissonance between our stone-age bodies and our modern lives, Lieberman offers insights into the health challenges we face today. He reflects on how understanding our evolutionary past can help us make more informed decisions about how to use our bodies in a healthier, more sustainable way. Through anecdotes, scientific findings, and expert analysis, the book provides a captivating look at how the strides we've made in terms of longevity and health have paradoxically been accompanied by new, modern afflictions.

Endorsed by prominent voices such as Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish, who describes the book as "monumental" and an "epic voyage," and Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, who calls it "riveting, enlightening, and more than a little frightening," The Story of the Human Body is a thought-provoking read.

Lieberman, Chair of the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, is a leader in his field with nearly 100 articles published in prestigious journals like Nature and Science. His research, including a notable cover story in Nature on barefoot running, has been spotlighted by global media outlets such as The New York Times, Boston Globe, Discover, and National Geographic.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the origins of the human body, the consequence of modern living on our health, and the potential future of our species.

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?

The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman is praised for its monumental exploration of how evolution over six million years has shaped human anatomy and physiology. Reviewers commend Lieberman's expertise and eloquence in making evolutionary history both riveting and enlightening, highlighting its impact on our present and future health.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141399959

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 October 2014

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 330g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Daniel E. Lieberman is professor of human evolutionary biology and the Edwin M. Lerner II Professor of Biological Sciences at Harvard. He has written more than one hundred articles, many appearing in the journalsNatureandScience.Lieberman is especially well known for his research on the evolution of the human head and the evolution of running, including barefoot running (earning him the nickname the Barefoot Professor). His research and discoveries have been highlighted widely in newspapers, magazines, books, news programs, and documentaries.

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