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Paleontology

A Brief History of Life

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About this listen

Ian Tattersall, a highly esteemed figure in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, and paleontology, leads a fascinating tour of the history of life and the evolution of human beings. Starting at the very beginning, Tattersall examines patterns of change in the biosphere over time, and the correlations of biological events with physical changes in the Earth's environment. He introduces the complex of evolutionary processes, situates human beings in the luxuriant diversity of Life (demonstrating that however remarkable we may legitimately find ourselves to be, we are the product of the same basic forces and processes that have driven the evolutionary histories of all other creatures), and he places the origin of our extraordinary spiritual sensibilities in the context of the exaptational and emergent acquisition of symbolic cognition and thought.

Concise and yet comprehensive, historically penetrating and yet up-to-date, responsibly factual and yet engaging, Paleontology serves as the perfect entree to science's greatest story. The book is published by Templeton Press.

©2010 Ian Tattersall (P)2010 Redwood Audiobooks Biological Sciences Earth Sciences History History & Philosophy Religious Studies Science Paleontology Natural History Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"Endlessly absorbing and informative. It would be hard to imagine a better introduction to this most important and fascinating field." (Bill Bryson, author of A Short History of Nearly Everything)
All stars
Most relevant
I was surprised by how in-depth this fairy light and easily followed and understood book went. Exceptionally well written, fantastic narrative with a well balanced flow to keen the interest from start to finish.

Excellent

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Clear and concise. Read by a person with a clear interest in the material. Would recommend to anyone looking to gain a base understanding of paleontology.

Informative and interesting

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