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ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Why do humans care? Why do we make love, have two sexes, get cancer, sleep, age, drink or have inner lives? These questions are intriguing and perpetual, and a whole lot of evolutionary biologists are exploring the answers. From whale strandings to peppermint stick insects, Tasmanian devils to epaulette sharks, great apes to jellyfish, the studies of different species are contributing to understanding life’s big questions – and ourselves. Engaging and stimulating science writing for the general reader. Lindy
An exhilarating scientific journey, Why Are We Like This? takes us behind the scenes of the evolutionary paradoxes that make up life on this planet.
What can snorkelling at Shark Bay teach us about the evolution of sex? Will the secrets of our gendered society be uncovered by stick insects? And why did we evolve to spend a third of our life asleep?
Some questions have nipped at humanity’s heels for as long as we’ve been…well, humans. Why Are We Like This? takes us behind the scenes of the evolutionary paradoxes that make up life on this planet. Exploring with scientists, from freezing in Tasmanian sleet to a laboratory of sleeping sharks in North Queensland, we see how these evolutionary mysteries might just uncover the secrets of a better life for humans and the creatures we share the planet with.
Zoe Kean shows us that the ancient ancestors of life on Earth faced the same challenges we do, so let’s learn a lesson or two about how they dealt with them.
‘Evolution is not perfect, just good enough. This book brilliantly guides you through this complexity, showing us how we evolved to be marvelously imperfect. Read this book, and learned up.’ – Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
‘A witty and inquisitive exploration of humans’ place in the web of life – full of wonder, curiosity and tenderness.’ – Tegan Taylor
By:
Zoe Kean Imprint: New South Books Country of Publication: Australia Dimensions:
Height: 210mm,
Width: 135mm,
ISBN:9781742238104 ISBN 10: 1742238106 Pages: 352 Publication Date:01 November 2024 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Zoe Kean lives in lutruwita/Tasmania, an island at the bottom of the world. An award-winning science writer with a focus on evolution, ecology and the environment, she has published in The Guardian, ABC, The Best Australian Science Writing 2022, 2023, 2024, Cosmos Magazine and the BBC. She honed her writing and radio skills with the best at the ABC Science Unit as the Darren Osborne Region Science Cadet (2019). Her love for science cannot be contained to the page Zoe Kean also gives talks, makes science TikTok videos and regularly appears on live radio.
Reviews for Why are We Like This?: An Evolutionary Search for Answers to Life's Big Questions
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Why do humans care? Why do we make love, have two sexes, get cancer, sleep, age, drink or have inner lives? These questions are intriguing and perpetual, and a whole lot of evolutionary biologists are exploring the answers. From whale strandings to peppermint stick insects, Tasmanian devils to epaulette sharks, great apes to jellyfish, the studies of different species are contributing to understanding life’s big questions – and ourselves. Engaging and stimulating science writing for the general reader. Lindy
