Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs, Evolution, and Life on Earth

by Jules Howard Narrated by Jules Howard

Overview

Eggs are the origins of ninety percent of the Earth's organisms. They can be found as far apart as deep-sea volcanoes and in space. Yet despite their fundamental importance, eggs often find themselves an afterthought in the discussion of evolution of life on Earth as the interests of scientists congregate around the things that emerge from eggs rather than the eggs themselves.



In Infinite Life, Jules Howard explains-with great passion, authority, expertise, and infectious enthusiasm-why it's time to give eggs their moment in the spotlight: it is the eggs that can teach us new and surprising lessons about Earth's history, the trials of life, and the exceptional ways in which natural selection operates to propagate the survival of individual species.



Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs, Evolution, and Life on Earth, offers a wholly new perspective on the animal kingdom, and, indeed, life on Earth. By examining eggs from their earliest histories to the very latest fossilized discoveries-encompassing the myriad changes and mutations of eggs from the evolution of yolk, to the hard eggshells of lost dinosaurs, to the animals that have evolved to simultaneously give birth to eggs and live young-Howard reveals untold stories of great diversity and majesty to shed light on the huge impact that egg science has on our lives.

Editorial Reviews

Rebecca Wragg Sykes

"A startlingly beautiful exploration of evolution’s crucibles of creation."

Science Friday

"Jules really questions some of the classic narratives that we have in evolutionary history, like this idea that moving away from water was this triumphant moment for life on land ... no, they just were really looking for soft soil to put their egg in to stay moist! It’s a book that really loves its subject and I like the way it combines different ways of storytelling along with some of the latest scientific discoveries."

Booklist

"His excitement is infectious and indicative of his approach to the entire book. This is an author who has found joy in his research, joy in his writing, and joy in sharing what he learned."

Lucy Cooke

"One of my favorite science writers."

Nature

"Howard takes readers on a biographical journey through the evolution of the egg, using gorgeous evocations of species that existed across hundreds of millions of years."

Steve Brusatte

"In this witty, wise, and accessible book, Jules Howard celebrates the humble egg. Breezy and conversational, Howard goes on a journey spanning billions of years, from the first bacteria to us. This is as fun and engaging as science writing gets, and by the end of the book, it’s astounding how much you’ve learned about the history of life."

Riley Black

"A loving ode to eggs, Infinite Life is a fascinating journey through the nested history of how living things bring about ever more life. Jules Howard skillfully balances new scientific research with visions of the past as he peels back each layer of evolutionary history."

Heather Heying

"Remarkable in both its scope and focus, Infinite Life is a scintillating, wild, and scientifically robust romp through time and space. Howard has a gift for exploring scientifically rigorous explanations through rich, exciting stories."

Alice Roberts

"Jules Howard’s egg’s-eye view of evolution is dripping with fascinating insights."

Helen Scales

"Mind-bending in the best possible ways. A joy to read."

Gaia Vince

"Finally, the egg gets the recognition it deserves in this wonderfully evocative telling of its journey through time and place."

 Alice Roberts

"Jules Howard’s egg’s-eye view of evolution is dripping with fascinating insights."

Forbes

Praise for Jules Howard’s Wonderdog:

“Succeeds in drawing readers in and delivering reliable scientific information packaged in compelling and sometimes heart-warming anecdotes. I have no doubt that even the science-phobic among dog lovers can find Wonderdog exhilarating.

Alexandra Horowitz

"Wonderdog is a paean to these clever, flexible, charming animals who sit and walk alongside us—and also a humane, thoughtful consideration of the science using and about dogs. You'll want to read it with a dog by your side, so you can regularly turn to them admiringly and tickle their ears.

Zazie Todd

"A fresh and vibrant account of what we’ve learned about dogs from Darwin to today. With a cast of familiar and almost-forgotten characters, Wonderdog tells us why dogs do the things they do—and what it tells us about ourselves. Full of compassion and intrigue, this is scientific storytelling at its very best.

professor and paleontologist at the University of Steve Brusatte

"In this witty, wise, and accessible book, Jules Howard celebrates the humble egg. Breezy and conversational, Howard goes on a journey spanning billions of years, from the first bacteria to us. This is as fun and engaging as science writing gets, and by the end of the book, it’s astounding how much you’ve learned about the history of life."

Hal Herzog

Offers readers a whirlwind tour of 150 years of research on the minds and behavior of man’s best friend. From Darwin and Pavlov to the latest research in canine science, Wonderdog reflects first-rate scholarship yet reads like a detective novel. This book puts Jules Howard in the top ranks of contemporary science writers.

Marc Bekoff

"Wonderdog is a wonderful, fact-filled, and easy-to-read journey into the heads and hearts of dogs—who they are, what they know, and what they feel. Howard does a masterful job blending the latest science with doses of common sense as he covers what we know and still need to know to give dogs the best lives possible. Wonderdog is a must-read.

Virgina Morell

"A wonderful book! I loved it. Informative and engaging.

Ben Garrod

"Turning wolves into dogs took knowledge, insight and a few cheeky treats along the way. This book contains all three, and is the perfect companion to any dog lover.

Adam Hart

"With Wonderdog, Jules Howard explores the highs and the lows of science's sometimes troubled relationship with the domesticated wolf with which we share our homes and lives. With his characteristic lightness of touch, Howard takes us on a journey of discovery that will leave no dog-lover unmoved, and no dog-hater unconverted. A splendid, entertaining and hugely informative read!"

Kirkus Reviews

2024-07-17
Most animals begin as eggs, and this is their story.

British science writer Howard, author ofDeath on Earth: Adventures in Evolution and Mortality, suggests that animals are simply vehicles to produce more eggs, and then he makes an entertaining case for that proposition. Life began nearly 4 billion years ago, but eggs came late. Until about 650 million years ago, tiny organisms often walled themselves off from a hostile environment in a mostly impermeable cyst, ready to reactivate when the good times came back. Beginning at this period their fossils began to reveal tiny collections of cells that resemble embryonic structures that will develop into new life. These were the first eggs, likely from ancient jellyfish and their kin. Working chronologically, Howard writes that by the Devonian Period, about 400 million years ago, “the egg had evolved a new place to hide in the ocean; no longer only found in pouches, or glued to rocks, the egg now occupied a new, secure space, inside the body of the female fish.” Many remained long enough to hatch, and this is not a modern development; live births are common in insects and ancient sharks. Land animals flourished well before the Permian Period (roughly 300 million years ago), which also saw the appearance of the amniotic egg that contained fluid-filled membranes surrounded by a hard cell to protect the embryo, allowing it to be laid on dry land. The egg reached its epitome in the mammal placenta, “the life-giving interface between mother and offspring,” allowing passage of energy and oxygen and extraction of waste but keeping what is essentially a foreign body separate from the mother’s immune system. Animal evolution is a snap compared to the minutia of animal physiology, but Howard has done his homework and delivers a painless but lucid education on a central feature of life.

High-quality natural history.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191211497
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged