Preview
  • Written in Stone

  • Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature
  • By: Brian Switek
  • Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
  • Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (308 ratings)

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Written in Stone

By: Brian Switek
Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
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Publisher's summary

Spectacular fossil finds make today's headlines; new technology unlocks secrets of skeletons unearthed 100 years ago. Still, evolution is often poorly represented by the media and misunderstood by the public. A potent antidote to pseudoscience, Written in Stone is an engrossing history of evolutionary discovery for anyone who has marveled at the variety and richness of life.

©2010 Brian Switek (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Written in Stone

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Evolution detailed

I really appreciate the depth of research and understanding that is shared by the author. I knew aspects (whale origins) but Switek went into far greater detail across earth's history and with great interest. Well worth reading if interested in life and the earth.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator mispronounces a lot of words

He also reads fairly flatly. If it doesn’t bother you that he obviously didn’t Google any of the words beforehand, then you’ll probably love it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great introduction to (aspects of) history of science

Well written and read. Thanks for the pdf as well. This work drills another hole in all religious and dogmatic thought that articulates nonsensical fairy tales for the natural history of life! I am industrial scientist and understood this work pretty well, since author patiently summarizes scientific milestones and their philosophical implications at every stage.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

good information if your interested in the topic.

I enjoyed the information that it had, but it was a little boring at time.

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great text

the information is great. the pop culture references aren't cringe. this book is a slice of humble pie for any one that sees humanity as the peak of progress.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good but has some weaknesses

I enjoyed 95% of this book. A captivating recounting of the story of the key fossils in our current understanding evolution. However the author strays into metaphysical speculation that lacks nuance and sophistication. He wines about religion like a 15 year old atheist, not realizing his opposition itself is freighted with terms that imply some pre-rational valuation. Yes biological evolution is a fact, but it’s ultimate meaning like it or not takes the shape of a faith. Glass houses and all that

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9 people found this helpful

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personal

Two stars - meh
three stars - good
four stars - worth a second read
five stars - life-changing - my top 50 of all time

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Very nice

I really like! The narrator voice is very nice never dull. The information is put in a straightforward way and has alot of the history of paleontology as well as the paleontology!

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Who Knew !

Who knew dirt could be so cool! Lovely story, deftly performed, well worth the time

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Very informative

It reads like a text book. But listening to it on audible was a much better platform. The reading is able to draw you into the history and the record and the evolution of many many species including our own

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8 people found this helpful