What Do You Think You Are?
The Science of What Makes You You
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Icon Books
Published:6th Aug '20
Should be back in stock very soon
This book offers an insightful exploration of identity through science, tracing the origins of our physical and genetic makeup. What Do You Think You Are? invites reflection on personal history.
In What Do You Think You Are?, popular science author Brian Clegg takes readers on an enlightening journey into the essence of human identity. This engaging exploration delves into the intricate science behind what constitutes our very being, from the tiniest atomic particles to the complexities of genetics and personality. Readers are invited to consider how the elements that make up their bodies and minds have come together through a fascinating interplay of history and science.
Clegg begins by grounding the reader in the present, then embarks on a quest to uncover the origins of the atoms that form our bodies. He explains how these atoms were forged in the cosmos and traces their journey through time and space to arrive at our current selves. The book also examines the sources of our food and the evolution of the living cells within us, providing a comprehensive look at the biological processes that shape our existence.
Furthermore, What Do You Think You Are? addresses the development of human consciousness and the evolution of our species, ultimately revealing the significance of our personal genetic histories. This book is not only a scientific inquiry but also a personal reflection on identity, making it an essential read for anyone curious about the forces that have shaped who they are today.
What's great about the book overall is both Clegg's gift as a storyteller - it's just an excellent, pageturning read - and the way he threads together so many revelations about us as humans, the sort of thing that you want to share with someone else. * popularscience.co.uk *
The most interesting part is when the book explores what consciousness is (or, rather, highlights how little we know about it but still shows how much more there is to "us" than the conscious part) and pulls apart the old nature versus nurture debate with some remarkable material on genetics and how the influence of our environment is mathematically chaotic. * Peet Morris, Times Higher Education *
ISBN: 9781785786235
Dimensions: 205mm x 136mm x 24mm
Weight: 320g
288 pages