Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work (Or Don't)

by Alex Bezzerides, Joe Knezevich (Read by)

Overview

From blurry vision to crooked teeth, ACLs that tear at alarming rates and spines that seem to spend a lifetime falling apart—it’s surprising that human beings have beaten the odds as a species

Evolution Gone Wrong is an eye-opening look into why our bodies work—or don’t—the way they do. After all, we’re the only survivors on our branch of the tree of life. Why do human mothers have such a life-endangering experience giving birth? And why are there entire medical specialties for teeth and feet? In this funny, wide-ranging and often surprising book, biologist Alex Bezzerides tells us where we inherited our adaptable, achy, brilliant bodies in the process of evolution.

The book traces the delightfully unexpected answers to these questions and many more:

·      Why do we blink?

·      Why don’t our teeth regularly fit in our mouths?

·      Why do women menstruate when so many other mammals don’t?

·      Why did humans stand up on two legs in the first place?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781799960058
Publisher:	Harlequin Audio
Publication date:	05/18/2021
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alex Bezzerides is a professor of biology at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho, where he teaches a wide range of biology classes, from human anatomy and physiology to entomology. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a PhD in neurobiology and behavior. With a background in anatomy and evolution, Alex approaches the study of the human body with a curiosity for the historical roots of our anatomical imperfections. Evolution Gone Wrong is inspired by his popular college classes that explore the strange-but-true origins of our body parts. Alex lives in Idaho with his wife, Julie, and their daughter.

ALEX BEZZERIDES is a professor of biology at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho, where he teaches a wide range of classes from human anatomy and physiology to entomology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Colorado State University and a PhD in neurobiology and behaviour from Cornell University. His articles have appeared in journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. With a background in anatomy and evolution, Bezzerides approaches the study of the human body with a curiosity for the historical roots of our anatomical imperfections. Inspired by his popular college classes that explore the strange-but-true origins of our body parts, Evolution Gone Wrong is a colourful and fascinating journey into our collective past. Alex Bezzerides lives in Idaho with his wife and their daughter.

 

Originally from Miami, Florida, Joe Knezevich earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from Florida State University and studied in London with members of the world-renowned Complicite. Joe was an associate artist at Georgia Shakespeare for sixteen seasons, where he appeared in over forty plays. He is also a frequent guest on the Alliance Stage and has appeared in regional theater all over the country. In addition to his work on the stage, Joe has appeared in dozens of film and TV projects, but his most important role continues to be as husband and father. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, running, pool days, cooking, and cards.

Editorial Reviews

An unforgettable journey through this twisted miracle of evolution we call ‘our body.’”

author of A Walk around the Block Spike Carlsen

You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll ache all over while reading this book.”

New York Times bestselling author Nick Caruso

An exhilarating clamber through some of the remoter branches of the human family tree…Evolution Gone Wrong is the fascinating tale of our imperfections.”

author of The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth Thomas Morris

Alex Bezzerides’s subject is one that should be of inherent interest to all humans: why evolution designed our bodies in such a seemingly eccentric manner, causing us to suffer from all manner of aches and pains. He provides the answers with gentle humor and easy-to-understand explanations. Along the way he also shares plenty of curious facts that, if you’re like me, you’ll feel compelled to share with family and friends.”

author of Elephants on Acid Alex Boese

Alex Bezzerides's subject is one that should be of inherent interest to all humans: why evolution designed our bodies in such a seemingly eccentric manner, causing us to suffer from all manner of aches and pains. He provides the answers with gentle humor and easy-to-understand explanations. Along the way he also shares plenty of curious facts that, if you're like me, you'll feel compelled to share with family and friends.”
-Alex Boese, author of Elephants on Acid


“An exhilarating clamber through some of the remoter branches of the human family tree. Alex Bezzerides reminds us that our great-grand-ancestors included fish and quadrupeds as well as the tree-climbing apes that more readily spring to mind. Evolution Gone Wrong is the fascinating tale of our imperfections: how millions of years of evolution created a species more intelligent than any other, but one blighted by faulty eyesight, back pain and an unfortunate propensity for choking on its food.”
—Thomas Morris, The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth


“You'll laugh, you'll learn, and you'll ache all over while reading this book.”
—Nick Caruso, coauthor of Does It Fart? The Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence


“From opposable thumbs to flat feet to the pangs of childbirth, Bezzerides takes us on an unforgettable journey through this twisted miracle of evolution we call ‘our body.’” —Spike Carlsen, author of A Walk Around the Block

From the Publisher