Play Audiobook Sample
The Universe Within: Discovering the Common History of Rocks, Planets, and People Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.04) - 198 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
From one of our finest and most popular science writers, the best-selling author of Your Inner Fish, comes the answer to a scientific mystery story as big as the world itself: How have astronomical events that took place millions of years ago created the unique qualities of the human species? In his last book, Neil Shubin delved into the amazing connections between human anatomy—our hands, our jaws—and the structures in the fish that first took over land 375 million years ago. Now, with his trademark clarity and exuberance, he takes an even more expansive approach to the question of why we are the way we are. Starting once again with fossils, Shubin turns his gaze skyward. He shows how the entirety of the universe's 14-billion-year history can be seen in our bodies. From our very molecular composition (a result of stellar events at the origin of our solar system), he makes clear, through the working of our eyes, how the evolution of the cosmos has had profound effects on the development of human life on earth.
Download and start listening now!
"This is another good one from Neil Shubin. It manages to encompass all manners of cosmology, geology, climate science, and evolutionary biology to describe how humans came to be. It's a pretty fast moving ride and there are places where I longed for more detail, but it's worth a read. That said, some of his transitions are jerky and he flits between facts and anecdotes in a way that can sometimes feel scattershot. He does his best to give credit to a wide range of scientists who are not often known outside their field, but these efforts occasionally detract from the narrative. A minor quibble for a good pop science book."
— B. (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“What is special about the book is its sweep, its scope, its panorama—how physics, biology, geology, chemistry and seemingly every other science are brought to bear on the most intricate details of human life.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“An illuminating account of how life on earth is shaped by the rhythms of the cosmos…[A] dazzling excursion into life, the universe, and everything.”
— Times Literary Supplement -
“A new, fresh way of telling the story of life, the universe, and everything…Shubin illuminate[s] the story of discovery in unexpected and hugely enjoyable ways.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Walt Whitman yawped, ‘I contain multitudes,’ and in Your Inner Fish, Shubin confirmed him by demonstrating how the evolution of life on earth is inscribed in the human body. Now Shubin shows that all creation, from the big bang on, is packed in there, too…In short, universal history made us what we are. Wow.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Shubin illuminates, with Carl Sagan-like clarity and elegance, the specifics behind the Joni Mitchell lyric ‘We are stardust.’”
— Time Out Chicago -
“Even those familiar with the basic underpinnings of how we evolved will find The Universe Within engaging.”
— Scientific American -
“The Universe Within gives us an appreciation of how we are just small specks and small moments in time. But it also challenges us to take steps to protect our environment so our world can last a little longer.”
— BookPage -
“Shubin shares the findings of some of the great scientific specialists—as well as those of a few unsung heroes. But he also explains how a generalist’s appreciation of their work is still possible, simply by looking inside the human body.”
— New Scientist -
“Wonderful…We need writers [like Shubin] who can make deeper connections between people and the natural world around them, as well as showing how that interrelatedness has played out over the deep time of geology.”
— Seattle Times -
“An intelligent, eloquent account of our relations with the inanimate universe.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“A volume of truly inspired science writing…Shubin deftly balances breadth and depth in his search for a ‘sublimely beautiful truth.’”
— Publishers Weekly
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
-
A Kirkus Reviews “New and Notable Title” for Nonfiction, January 2013
The Universe Within Listener Reviews
-
" Good overview of the relationships between development of the earth, and eventually, man. Very easy read; good fact sources; brought the reader into the story, well. "
— John, 2/9/2014 -
" I feel mixed about this book. In spite of the way the author weaves personal stories about scientists and their discoveries over the last 100-200 years, which in turn adds more knowledge about the world we live in and how it got that way, there seems to be something missing for me. But I don't know what it is. If you like science and the stories behind science, then this book is for you. Each chapter contains the potential for volumes, and fascinating tidbits that whet the appetite are served all along the way. There is a rather large bibliography for those who want to pursue a topic further. "
— Monty, 2/2/2014 -
" Not perfect, but pretty darn good. Rounded up to a full 5 stars because it was so full of memorable tidbits. Shubin may be a paleontologist, but you'll learn about astronomy, physics, microbiology, social sciences... And so many things in between. Accessible science writing that offers a solid starting point to many additional disciplines. "
— Lauren, 1/21/2014 -
" Read my review: here. "
— Victoria, 12/25/2013 -
" A very concise "history of the universe", if not too concise. Much shorter than I would've expected. "
— B., 12/16/2013 -
" I really wanted to love this, and at first I did. Lots of great information and facts on how we're all connected to the earth, sea, space, and time. But somewhere near the middle, the book seemed to disconnect. But maybe it's just me and my need to be constantly entertained. "
— Jennifer, 12/16/2013 -
" I liked his first book a lot because it was packed with facts and interesting things about our biology. This book takes a slightly more "Gee whiz, isn't the universe amazing" approach which left me feeling a little pandered to. "
— Nick, 12/9/2013 -
" - the universe for dummies. "
— Nigel, 11/7/2013 -
" Things you already know put together in a new way. Good stuff. "
— Timothy, 10/31/2013 -
" really great survey of some of the greatest hits of science with lots of fun anecdotes about scientific discovery along the way. "
— Ken, 9/2/2013 -
" Good overview of planet history for those who haven't been exposed to much of it. "
— Brittany, 7/5/2013 -
" Before reading this book, I never knew just how much everything in our world, from star dust, to rocks, to human beings, is connected. This book has given me a new outlook on life, and just how meaningful it is to be a part of this wonderful history. "
— Kamcakes, 5/28/2013 -
" Although not as fantastic as Your Inner Fish (Shubin's previous book) this book is a great reminder of just how intimately our biology (and our health) is connected to our environment and our planet. "
— Daphne, 4/23/2013 -
" Loved "Your Inner Fish." I was hoping for similar insight and careful description in this new book. The text feels rushed, with careless and unfinished analogies. It still contains wonderful details and facts though, written in a similarly humorous way to Fish. "
— David, 1/12/2013 -
" Enjoyed The Universe Within but was looking for more emphasis on the biological and human side of this story. There was a major emphasis on the geological history. Although interesting and informative was not as interested in this area of the history of the planet. "
— Joe, 1/4/2013
About Neil Shubin
Neil Shubin is the author of the bestselling Your Inner Fish, which was chosen by the National Academy of Sciences as the best book of the year in 2009. Trained at Columbia, Harvard, and the University of California at Berkeley, Shubin is associate dean of biological sciences at the University of Chicago. In 2011 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
About Marc Cashman
Marc Cashman, Earphones Award–winning narrator, was named one of the “Best Voices of the Year” by AudioFile magazine. His voice can be heard on radio, television, film, and video games. He also instructs voice actors through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques, in Los Angeles.