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  • Humans

  • A Brief History of How We F--ked It All Up
  • By: Tom Phillips
  • Narrated by: Nish Kumar
  • Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (431 ratings)
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Humans cover art

Humans

By: Tom Phillips
Narrated by: Nish Kumar
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Summary

An exhilarating journey through the most creative and catastrophic f--k ups in human history, from our very first ancestor falling out of that tree to the most spectacular fails of the present day. Perfect for fans of Sarah Knight and Giles Milton.

This is Humans.

In the 70,000 years that modern human beings have walked this earth, we've come a long way. Art, science, culture, trade - on the evolutionary food chain, we're real winners. But, frankly, it's not exactly been plain sailing, and sometimes - just occasionally - we've managed to really, truly, quite unbelievably f--k things up.

From Chairman Mao's Four Pests Campaign to the sinking of the Titanic; from the American Dustbowl to the world's leading superpower electing a reality TV mogul as President...it's pretty safe to say that, as a species, we haven't exactly grown wiser with age.

So next time you think you've really f--ked up, this book will remind you: it could be so much worse....

©2018 Tom Phillips (P)2018 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

What listeners say about Humans

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Taught me more than school..

This title is simply fantastic, and the first audiobook that I have ever gone back to listen over. The storytelling throughout each chapter is easy to follow with comedic moments every couple of paragraphs. Most importantly, I took so many facts away from it, admittedly they are facts that I will never have a need for but it keeps my parents happy to know that my knowledge bank is still growing! The narrator can get a little over excited at times, I found myself telling him to 'chill out' from time to time, particularly when he was narrating a part around Hitler... Overall, a fantastic listen and very much worth the 6 and a half hours of anyone's time.

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Hilariously Educational

I absolutely loved this book and how it touched on different parts of the world and how we keep messing up. This book keeps making me laugh.

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oh dear

optimism bias, my favourite bias, makes me think that I and all mankind will learn. we won't.

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a F...ing good read

A excellent insight how as humans we have totally fucked up our existence. I was a little disappointed however that the author failed to acknowledge the existence of Africa and it's great civilisations. With exception of an ape falling out of a tree and slavery. And that's a great shame. Other than that a truly funny book with Nish Kumar bringing the book alive with his comedic timing. Overall not a bad book and I look forward to other books by Tom Philips.

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Sumed up in a word Hubris

Well, how many ways can you think of, on how to F*** it up? This book covers some of the big ones. A warning to those who have just the right answer to that nagging problem. No good deed goes unpunished and all that, although those punished may not have anything to do with anything.

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  • Ev
  • 25-01-24

The complete lack of self reflection by the author.

The way the author described the failings in human rationality yet right after states his own opinions on complex topics as though those opinions are the concrete and unarguable truth was a bit jarring, perhaps that was supposed to be humorous? I found those bits a difficult listen so I couldn't finish the book.

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Extremely well written and a brilliant choice of narrator.

This book was incredibly thought provoking and informative. It will stay with me for a long time.

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excellent

Nish Kumar, I loved your reading!!!!

The book was great and narrator excellent. more Nish please!

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Humans

Loved this - really interesting listen & brilliantly narrated by Nish Kumar. I'd highly recommend!

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Excellent

One of my all time favourites. I've listened twice. Excellent content and well narrated.

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