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A Most Improbable Journey
- A Big History of Our Planet and Ourselves
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: History, World
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Summary
Big History, the field that studies the entire known past of our universe to give context to human existence, has so far been the domain of historians. Geologist Walter Alvarez - best known for his Impact Theory explaining dinosaur extinction - makes a compelling case for a new, science-first approach to Big History. He brings a scientist's view to the human story, from the creation of our universe and our planet, the rise of life, the movement of our continents and its effect on human migration, to humanity's ascendance due to our mastery of Earth's natural resources. Alvarez's illuminating observations will give listeners a new appreciation of the events, from the Big Bang to the Bronze Age and beyond, that have led to the human situation.
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What listeners say about A Most Improbable Journey
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Niki
- 09-12-18
Learned so much
Terrifically informative. Will listen to it again and would recommend it to anyone interested in geology and history.
3 people found this helpful
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- Z
- 09-12-18
big history made accessible
Loved this entertaining, highly informative tour of our Big History. From the big bang theory to the uniqueness of each of us humans, captivating!
3 people found this helpful
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- Rory Riggs
- 06-08-17
The Best Big History Presentation
An incredibly clear and understandable presentation of an amazingly complex story/ This is the goal of Big History. It is just that Alvarez does it a step further. A must read for anyone interested in who we are and how we got here!
3 people found this helpful
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- Trebla
- 16-01-17
So deeply disappointed
What disappointed you about A Most Improbable Journey?
Alvarez is a world class scientist with a wealth of information all about him at UC Berkeley. Yet he produced a grade-school version of Guns Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond- who really did open a fascinating view of history and mankind. Alvarez produced no insights nor a single "aha!" moment.
3 people found this helpful