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  • Some Assembly Required

  • Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA
  • Written by: Neil Shubin
  • Narrated by: Marc Cashman
  • Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (16 ratings)

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Some Assembly Required cover art

Some Assembly Required

Written by: Neil Shubin
Narrated by: Marc Cashman
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Publisher's Summary

An exciting and accessible new view of the evolution of human and animal life on Earth. From the author of national bestseller, Your Inner Fish, this extraordinary journey of discovery spans centuries, as explorers and scientists seek to understand the origins of life's immense diversity.

“Fossils, DNA, scientists with a penchant for suits of armor - what’s not to love?” (BBC Wildlife Magazine)

Over billions of years, ancient fish evolved to walk on land, reptiles transformed into birds that fly, and apelike primates evolved into humans that walk on two legs, talk, and write. For more than a century, paleontologists have traveled the globe to find fossils that show how such changes have happened. 

We have now arrived at a remarkable moment - prehistoric fossils coupled with new DNA technology have given us the tools to answer some of the basic questions of our existence: How do big changes in evolution happen? Is our presence on Earth the product of mere chance? This new science reveals a multibillion-year evolutionary history filled with twists and turns, trial and error, accident and invention. 

In Some Assembly Required, Neil Shubin takes listeners on a journey of discovery spanning centuries, as explorers and scientists seek to understand the origins of life's immense diversity.

©2020 Neil Shubin (P)2020 Random House Audio

What the critics say

"An engaging, must-read for anyone with an interest in evolution." (Library Journal starred review)

"A rollicking ride.... It’s light of touch, anecdote-rich and funny...satisfyingly informative.... Fossils, DNA, scientists with a penchant for suits of armour - what’s not to love?" (BBC Wildlife Magazine)

"Another winner from Dr. Shubin, who skillfully and thoughtfully steers us through the incredibly fascinating world of DNA and fossils. Dr. Shubin’s clear and engaging writing rewards us with a deeper understanding of how all life on our planet is interconnected. Steeped in the paradigm of evolutionary theory, he inspires us to think more deeply about our connectedness with the natural world. Charles Darwin would applaud Dr. Shubin’s clear explanations and insightful rendering of the incontrovertible evidence for the evolution of all life on planet Earth." (Donald Johanson, director, Institute of Human Origins; discoverer of "Lucy")

What listeners say about Some Assembly Required

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One of the best books in understanding molecular biology of evolution

Undoubtedly one of best science books I read in 2021
Shubin is a master Storyteller and when the story is about the history of life , it is incredibly enjoyable . Highly recommended

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Interesting book

Fascinating listen! Easy to listen to and I learned a lot about a subject that I knew very little about.

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Wow

Absolutely mind blowing! Such a synthesis of evolution is as elegant as it is sometimes shocking in its inner mechanism. Some attention required...

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