Restless Creatures cover art

Restless Creatures

The Story of Life in Ten Movements

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Restless Creatures

By: Matt Wilkinson
Narrated by: Matt Wilkinson
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About this listen

Despite the overwhelming diversity of life on Earth, one theme has dominated its evolution: the apparently simple act of moving from one place to another.

Restless Creatures is the first book for a general audience telling the incredible story of locomotion in human and animal evolution. Evolutionary biologist Matt Wilkinson shows why our ancestors became two-legged, why we have opposable thumbs, why the backbone appeared, how fish fins became limbs, how even trees are locomotion-obsessed, and how movement has shaped our minds as well as our bodies.

He explains why there are no flying monkeys or biological wheels, how dinosaurs took to the air, how Mexican waves began in the animal kingdom, and why moving can make us feel good. Restless Creatures opens up an astonishing new perspective: that nothing in life makes sense except in the light of movement.

©2016 Matt Wilkinson (P)2016 Audible Studios Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Physics Science Natural History

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All stars
Most relevant
Gives our biology a useful context.
I loved listening to this book. I walked the entire time and had to replay sections to take it in fully. it is masterful and pulled my entire degree together nicely.

Great summary of how movement has shaped us.

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I won't lie this book has technical bits but it is done well enough that you understand what the point is. Don't be scared it put off I have recommended it to a large variety of people and they have all loved it.

Amazing insight to our lives

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The first chapter on the basic mechanics of movement was a bit boring (it needed visuals), but I'm glad I persisted because some chapters (e.g. the last chapter) was really interesting and a joy to listen to. I knew movement was important, but I now have a greater appreciation for its role in our evolutionary story - and now know why I love getting lost in the mountains or why I loved getting lost in Venice on a school trip when I was young!

At times, fascinating!

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