A Brief History of the Female Body

An Evolutionary Look at How and Why the Female Form Came to Be

De: Dr. Deena Emera

Narrado por: Deena Emera

From breasts and orgasms to periods, pregnancies, and menopause—A Brief History of the Female Body is a fascinating science book explaining the mysteries of the female body through an evolutionary lens.

Let's face it: The female body is an enigma. For teenagers first experiencing their periods, the monthly arrival of mood swings and cramps can be agonizing and inconvenient. With pregnancy—perhaps the most miraculous of bodily events—comes countless potential complications, including high blood pressure, diabetes, premature birth, and postpartum depression. And menopause is equally mystifying. Why do females lose their fertility over time and experience the notorious side effects—like hot flashes, weight gain, and hair loss—while males maintain their fertility forever?

Evolutionary geneticist and educator Dr. Deena Emera has spent much of her career studying the evolution of female reproduction. A Brief History of the Female Body draws on her vast expertise as a biologist, her experience as a mother of four children, and her love of teaching to look far into our evolutionary past, illuminating how and, more importantly, why the female form has transformed over millions of years and its effects on women's health.

©2023 Deena Emera (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Fantastic! Engrossing cover to cover

I don’t recall where this book was recommended to me, but I’m glad it was. This was an absolutely engrossing and detailed look at specific structures/functions of biological females and the evolutionary reasons they might have occurred. The books chapters stay focused, address competing theories, and never get lost in the details. I appreciate that it was written very recently, challenges poor alternate theories by citing the scientific challenges, and in the rare cases where the author puts forth their own speculative reasoning - they specifically call it out. The narration was also quite well done (by the author, no less).

I’m quite impressed, will look forward to other titles by this author in the future

Exceptionally worthwhile read

The author’s skill as a teacher is plainly evident throughout. She offers intricate, detailed information in a way that is consistently accessible.
Her coverage of the subject matter is exhaustive and, at the same time, candid about the limits of present scientific knowledge. She draws on a vast store of scientific and historic knowledge, while weaving in her personal experience with remarkable balance.
This is an exceptionally fine piece of writing.

Fascinating & entertaining

In an era where information can often become noise, this book resonates like a melodious song — filled with knowledge, understanding, and above all, appreciation our evolution as humans. Even as a man, I found myself consistently interested and enlightened by Dr. Emera’s insights, a testament to her skill in making this topic universally appealing.

Emera’s prowess as a biologist is evident in the meticulous research that underscores each chapter. Yet it is her narrative prowess that keeps the reader engrossed — seamlessly weaving together the threads of evolutionary history with her personal experiences as a mother of four. As an educator, Emera has an intrinsic understanding of how to present information. There’s a cadence to her prose that holds readers, ensuring the intricacies of evolutionary biology never feel arid or overwhelming.

One closes Dr. Emera’s work not just with a better understanding of the subject but with an augmented respect for the intricate ballet of evolution that has led to the present-day female form.