The Hidden World

How Insects Sustain Life on Earth Today and Will Shape Our Lives Tomorrow

By: Dr. George McGavin

Narrated by: Dr. George McGavin, David Attenborough, Alison Steadman, Jane Horrocks

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

“George McGavin is a rarity” Sir David Attenborough

Entomologist and broadcaster Dr George McGavin presents The Hidden World: How Insects Sustain Our Life on Earth Today and Will Shape Our Lives Tomorrow, an Original Audiobook Production by W F Howes

If you are at all interested in life on our planet, then you need to know about insects. They are the most successful group of animals ever to have lived on Earth. Making up three quarters of all animal species, insects conquered the planet long ago. They were among the very first animals to appear on land and were the first to take to the air. Their total biomass is at least ten times that of all humans and our livestock combined.

This world is not ours alone. We are newcomers on a planet made and maintained by insects.

If we are going to appreciate the massive part that insects play in the ecology of our planet we need to understand where they came from and how they became so successful. The survival of insects is key to our own survival.

Join Dr George McGavin on an exciting audio journey to help us understand the fascinating world of insects. Along the way we are transported from bee-filled meadows to the forest floor, following Dr McGavin as he meets national treasures Sir David Attenborough, Alison Steadman and Jane Horrocks, and a range of experts such as Professors Steve Simpson, Helen Roy, Phil Stevenson and Erica McAlister to understand more about their passion for these incredible creatures.

The Hidden World is an important and timely work to engage people with wildlife, when the world is rapidly losing its biodiversity.

Features bonus audio content including full-length interviews and immersive binaural nature sounds for focus and relaxation.

Dr George McGavin is a regular TV and radio presenter for the BBC and others. He is an Honorary Research Associate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and a Research Associate of The Department of Zoology of Oxford University as well as a Senior Principal Research Fellow of Imperial College. George’s work has taken him from the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea to the caves of Thailand and from the jungles of Belize to the savannahs of Tanzania. Dr George McGavin has several insect species named in his honour and hopes they survive him.

“In this remarkable audiobook George McGavin combines his comprehensive understanding of the biology of insects with his own personal tales and those of experts to explain the extraordinary success of the insects, and to show their fundamental importance to life on earth—past, present and future. This audiobook is a paean to insects and a salutary story for our times. McGavin speaks with a passion that is founded in deep expertise of these small creatures but with an eye to the big picture.” PROFESSOR STEVE SIMPSON

Guest contributors include:

Sir David Attenborough–Broadcaster and Natural Historian

Alison Steadman–Actress and Ambassador for the London Wildlife Trust

Dr Erica McAlister–Senior Curator, Natural History Museum

Professor Philip C. Stevenson–Kew Gardens

Professor Steve Simpson–Marine Biologist

Professor Helen Roy–President of the Royal Entomological Society

Anne Riley–President of the Wharfdale Naturalists Society

Jane Horrocks–Actress and co-host of the podcast Queen Bees Queen Bees

This audiobook was previously released under the title 'All Creatures Small and Great'

©2022 Dr. George McGavin (P)2022 W F Howes

Critic reviews

“George McGavin is a rarity.” (Sir David Attenborough)

"This audiobook tells the tales of the little things that rule our world. How they came to be here, what they do for us and their uncertain future in a world that doesn’t care about them nearly enough. Hopefully George’s wise words can redress that balance, before it’s too late.” (Steve Backshall MBE, explorer, naturist and TV presenter)

"In this remarkable audiobook George McGavin combines his comprehensive understanding of the biology of insects with his own personal tales and those of experts to explain the extraordinary success of the insects, and to show their fundamental importance to life on earth - past, present and future. This audiobook is a paean to insects and a salutary story for our times. McGavin speaks with a passion that is founded in deep expertise of these small creatures but with an eye to the big picture." (Professor Stephen Simpson)

Great broad overview

I myself am pursuing this field and this book was great! I particularly like the chapter of parasitic insects!