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Table of Contents
About The Book
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 his new book Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs, Evolution, and Life on Earth, 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.
Product Details
- Publisher: Pegasus Books (September 3, 2024)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781639367757
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Raves and Reviews
"Most animals begin as eggs, and this is their story. British science writer Howard suggests that animals are simply vehicles to produce more eggs, and then he makes an entertaining case for that proposition. Animal evolution is a snap compared to the minutia of animal physiology, but Howard has done his homework and delivers a lucid education on a central feature of life. High-quality natural history."
– Kirkus Reviews
"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."
– Booklist
"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."
– Nature
"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."
– Heather Heying, evolutionary biologist and author of Natural Selections
"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."
– Steve Brusatte, professor and paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh and New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
"A startlingly beautiful exploration of evolution’s crucibles of creation."
– Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred
"Mind-bending in the best possible ways. A joy to read."
– Helen Scales, author of The Brilliant Abyss
"Finally, the egg gets the recognition it deserves in this wonderfully evocative telling of its journey through time and place."
– Gaia Vince, author of Nomad Century and Transcendence
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.”
– Forbes
"Jules Howard’s egg’s-eye view of evolution is dripping with fascinating insights."
– Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors
"One of my favorite science writers."
– Lucy Cooke, author of Bitch: A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal
"A solid study on man’s best friend that can be enjoyed by the casual reader or the historian alike, with an exceptional balance of entertainment and educational value."
– Library Journal
"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.”
– Alexandra Horowitz, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"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.”
– Zazie Todd, PhD, award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy
"Zoologist Howard enlists the help of veterinary professionals, psychologists, ethologists, neurologists, historians, and others in this eclectic history of dogs."
– Publishers Weekly
"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.”
– Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado, author of Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Infinite Life eBook 9781639367757