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Being Human

How our biology shaped world history

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A mind-expanding, revolutionary journey across time that shows how our biology has determined human history for the first time. This book will change how you see the world.

We’re a wonder of evolution, capable of incredible feats. But we’re also deeply flawed. Our bodies and minds often break, fail, and hinder us. To be human is to live with this extraordinary contradiction. So, to understand the course humanity has taken – from prehistoric times through the age of empire and into the modern era – we must understand who, and what, we are.

Being Human is history made flesh. From the epidemic that brought Europe’s peasants freedom, to the health deficiency which gave rise to the world’s largest criminal organisation, to the cognitive biases that led to military catastrophes in Crimea and Iraq, we see how our unique nature shaped our relationships, economies and societies – and, importantly, how it continues to impact human progress today.

'Illuminating' TIM MARSHALL
'Refreshing' THOMAS HALLIDAY
'This book is quite literally wonderful' ED CONWAY
'A wild ride' TIM HARFORD
'A gripping, red-blooded narrative from a master storyteller' JO MARCHANT

©2023 Lewis Dartnell (P)2023 Penguin Audio

 Anthropology Biological Sciences Biology Evolution Evolution & Genetics Science World War Imperialism Africa Middle Ages Latin American Capitalism

Critic reviews

Always an interesting and engaging writer, Dartnell ... finds fascinating nuggets in familiar stories
I’ve always liked Dartnell’s books for their factiness
An illuminating journey through history using our bodies as the vehicle. It's quite a ride!
Wide-ranging, comprehensive and refreshing
A wild ride through science, history and prehistory, full of unexpected connections and delightful insights
A revolutionary account of human progress. This is history as you've never read it before: a gripping, red-blooded narrative from a master storyteller
A sublime, mind-expanding exploration of who we are and how we got here
Brilliantly entertaining and beautifully written, Being Human forces you to see the world in a totally new way. Interdisciplinary history at its best
A spirited canter through the ways our biology has inescapably affected world history that'll open your eyes and stretch your mind
Bursting with scientific stories, this is a fascinating exploration of how our flawed biology shapes how we live, love, thrive and die. Being Human will make you think in a new light about yourself and your species
All stars
Most relevant
I wasn't expecting such an input from the perspective of a biologist on human history. It turned out to be really enriching.

interesting perspective

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basically a book of facts and statistics,bit boring. I have listened to other book by Bill Bryson that are better.

not great

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