The Shortest History of Sex, David Baker
The Shortest History of Sex, David Baker
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The Shortest History of Sex
Two Billion Years of Procreation and Recreation

Author: David Baker, Simon Whistler

Narrator: Grant Cartwright

Unabridged: 9 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/28/2024


Synopsis

From the first microbial exchanges of DNA to Tinder and sexbots, how did sex begin, and how did it evolve to be so varied and complex in humans? What influence do our genetic ancestors have on our current love lives? And what might sex look like in the future?

With acuity, humor, and respect for human diversity, The Shortest History of Sex reveals where the many facets of our sexuality—chemical, anatomical, behavioral, social—come from. Chasing down our evolutionary family tree, from the first aquatic creatures to primate societies, David Baker sheds light on our baffling array of passions, impulses, and fetishes, and guides us toward a clear understanding of one of the deepest, most abiding forces of human nature.

The Shortest History of Sex also charts how sex changed for humans across the foraging, agrarian, and modern eras, showing how, even as our biology and sexual instincts have remained the same, the current nature of our sex lives has no historical or evolutionary precedent.

The result is a revealing, utterly unique insight into history and human behavior—and the profound forces of nature and nurture compelling our most intimate relationships.

About David Baker

David Baker is a history and science writer who holds the world's first PhD in Big History (the field that considers the entire history of the universe). He is an award-winning lecturer who wrote the YouTube series Crash Course Big History, hosted by John Green and his brother Hank Green. He lives in Sydney, Australia.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sabrina on May 07, 2024

I am not a big fan of The Shortest History of.... in general. They consistently prove to be clunky, awkward and just bad Non-Fiction all around. There are so many short Non-Fiction books that are much better than this series provides. I am sure I can provide a good alternative for each of them. This......more

Goodreads review by Priyanka on February 16, 2024

Highly recommend this not so widely known book. A perfect blend of history + biology (my favourite subjects) with the last part of the book touching sociology as well. The content was informative and full of witty humour at the same time. Loved all the puns xD One of the best crisply written non fic......more

Goodreads review by A. on May 07, 2024

Funny titles but informative and serious facts and knowledge.......more

Goodreads review by Steve on November 01, 2023

I loved this book. I liked the writing style with its clarity, conversational tone, and humour, including the laugh-out-loud parts. I found the explanations were great. The book is fast-paced and impossible to put down, yet it doesn’t feel rushed. This book is a great addition to the Shortest Histor......more

Goodreads review by Shreyas on April 21, 2024

Beautifully written book on human anthropology and the role and outlook towards sex through the ages. The author starts with the very beginning of the Big Bang where we were single celled organisms and guides us through billions of years where we evolved through sea world, reptiles, amphibians, apes......more