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  • Improbable Destinies

  • Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution
  • By: Jonathan B. Losos
  • Narrated by: Marc Cashman
  • Length: 12 hrs
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (15 ratings)

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Improbable Destinies

By: Jonathan B. Losos
Narrated by: Marc Cashman
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Summary

A major new work overturning our assumptions about how evolution works.

Earth's natural history is full of fascinating instances of convergence: phenomena like eyes and wings and tree-climbing lizards that have evolved independently, multiple times. But evolutionary biologists also point out many examples of contingency, cases where the tiniest change - a random mutation or an ancient butterfly sneeze - caused evolution to take a completely different course. What role does each force really play in the constantly changing natural world? Are the plants and animals that exist today, and we humans ourselves, inevitabilities or evolutionary freaks? And what does that say about life on other planets?

Jonathan Losos reveals what the latest breakthroughs in evolutionary biology can tell us about one of the greatest ongoing debates in science. He takes us around the globe to meet the researchers who are solving the deepest mysteries of life on Earth through their work in experimental evolutionary science. Losos himself is one of the leaders in this exciting new field, and he illustrates how experiments with guppies, fruit flies, bacteria, foxes, and field mice, along with his own work with anole lizards on Caribbean islands, are rewinding the tape of life to reveal just how rapid and predictable evolution can be.

Improbable Destinies will change the way we think and talk about evolution. Losos' insights into natural selection and evolutionary change have far-reaching applications for protecting ecosystems, securing our food supply, and fighting off harmful viruses and bacteria. This compelling narrative offers a new understanding of ourselves and our role in the natural world and the cosmos.

©2017 Jonathan B. Losos (P)2017 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"In a refreshingly accessible narrative, laced with piquant anecdotes, Losos underscores the human significance of science affecting not only how we interpret our own place on the planet but also how we envision life in distant galaxies. Wonderfully lucid; singularly engaging.” (Booklist starred review)

“A cheerful, delightfully lucid primer on evolution and the predictive possibilities within the field.” (Kirkus starred review)

Losos explains both the science and the underlying philosophy of the questions being asked in an accessible and engaging manner ... The book is as enjoyable as it is informative.” (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Improbable Destinies

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extremely entertaining and intelligible

Amazing story of how evolutionary biology developed, illustrated with many well chosen examples and picturing the realtime challenges of scientists. Honestly, I couldn't put it down. It's hard to pick a single case study from the many, but the Trinidadian study on the fish and lizards, and the 3 decade long lab study of E.Coli is exciting and brings even the laic reader close to valuing the birth of a fresh and long-awaited scientific discipline.
Moreover, it's a great audiobook, with the narration being easy to understand, but I suggest it to be listened to with a slight speedup.

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