Some Assembly Required

Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA

By: Neil Shubin

Narrated by: Marc Cashman

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 readers on a journey of discovery spanning centuries, as explorers and scientists seek to understand the origins of life's immense diversity.

Excellent and engaging

This is my favorite type of book. It imparts scientific knowledge while telling the stories of the researchers behind it. It's specifically about the genetic mechanics of evolution. I've read a lot of books about evolution, this is the first I've read that shows us the toolbox. Very entertaining, and well worth the read.

some aspects of the history of evolution

rich details about the progress of science really shine, side by side with those about evolution.

Great insights about evolutionary biology

As a physician, I use the principles of evolutionary medicine in my daily practice. I consider that this book is a must-read for all professionals who are interested in evolutionary biology.
By the way, Dr. Shubin still upholds the prevailing understanding of the origin of cancer cells, which attributes them to random DNA mutations. However, based on the compelling arguments presented in his book, it might be worth considering the perspectives of Dr. Thomas Seyfred (author of "Cancer as a Metabolic Disease") and Dr. Jason Fung (author of "The Cancer Code"). They argue that cancer cells result from mitochondrial dysfunction or damage caused by metabolic challenges such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and pollution. In this state, the cells behave like prokaryotic cells, relying on fermentative glycolysis to survive. This uncontrolled multiplication, evasion of the immune system, metastasis, and resistance to antitumoral drugs lead to similarities between the behavior of cancer cells and bacteria. It's fascinating to consider the idea that our cells possess genetic codes that enable them to mimic bacteria and become cancer cells, as suggested by the ideas of Shubin.

very good book about how life evolved

sometimes dry but generally engaging. informative and thorough treatment of how life evolves and how scientists study that evolution

Outstanding like his first book

If your a southern Baptist. It my be beyond your grasp. It’s a very well organized history up to where we are now. It also covers in depth where we at now. A small amount of 100 level biology will help you move along well with the author. Enjoy I certainly did.