In Origins, Frank H. T. Rhodes explores the origin and evolution of living things, the changing environments in which they have developed, and the challenges we now face on an increasingly crowded and polluted planet. Rhodes argues that the future well-being of our burgeoning population depends in no small part on our understanding of life’s past, its long and slow development, and its intricate interdependencies.
The book describes the nature of the search for prehistoric life, the significance of geologic time, the origin of life, the emergence and spread of flora and fauna, the evolution of primates, and the emergence of modern humans.
Origins is accessible enough for the layperson but also can be used as an entry-level text for students of evolution, paleontology, and geology.
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“Rhodes does far more than beautifully updating his classic 1962 book The Evolution of Life. He provides a new narrative of the history of life on Earth for a new set of generations.”
— Warren D. Allmon, director, Paleontological Research Institution
“Perkins’ narration is successful…the coverage of ideas like the cultural impact of Darwinism are valuable.”
— AudioFile“An overview of the history of life on Earth for the nonspecialist reader…A highly readable treatment of an important and interesting topic.”
— Michael Foote, University of ChicagoBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Frank H. T. Rhodes is President Emeritus of Cornell University. He is a graduate of the University of Birmingham, England, from which he holds four degrees. His numerous published works on geology and education include two books from Cornell—Earth: A Tenant’s Manual and The Creation of the Future: The Role of the American University. He holds the Bigsby Medal of the Geological Society, the Ian Campbell Medal of the American Geological Institute, and the Clark-Kerr Medal of the University of California–Berkeley. He holds more than thirty honorary degrees from universities in the United States and abroad.
Derek Perkins is a professional narrator and voice actor. He has earned numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, as well as numerous Society of Voice Arts nominations. AudioFile magazine named him a Best Voice consecutively in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Augmented by a knowledge of three foreign languages and a facility with accents, he has narrated numerous titles in a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres.