"Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work" by Alex Bezzerides delves into the intricacies of human evolution and physiology, examining the reasons behind the imperfections in our bodies. The author's writing style is a mix of humor and informative content, making complex biological concepts accessible to readers. From discussing the evolution of the eye to the impact of dietary changes on teeth formation, Bezzerides takes readers on a journey through our evolutionary past, explaining the origins of various bodily features in an engaging manner.

The book covers a wide range of topics such as childbirth, back pain, foot evolution, color vision, and infertility, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of how evolution has shaped the human body. Despite some criticism regarding the author's writing style, the book is praised for its informative content, humor, and ability to make challenging scientific concepts understandable to a broad audience.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and approachable, using wit and analogies to make scientific topics understandable for non-experts.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around how evolution has shaped human anatomy in often unexpected ways, leading to both strengths and inefficiencies in bodily functions.

Setting:

The setting encompasses scientific contexts relating to human evolution and anatomy.

Pacing:

The pacing shifts between chapters, with a generally easy flow that allows for quick reading.

Genres:

Topics:

human anatomy

evolutionary biology

functionality of human features

physiology

history of human development

the imperfection of the human body

scientific curiosity

humor to explain science

Notes:

Humans have 32 teeth that evolved from our ancestors' diets, which changed from leaves to raw meat.

Teeth used to exist in various locations, not just in jaws, and some animals had teeth on the outside of their bodies.

The human eye evolved to detect light and later adapted to allow life on land, retaining fluid in the cornea to reduce light bending.

Back pain is an inevitable part of life linked to our evolutionary changes; understanding its cause helps in managing it.

The big toe's evolution contributed to human walking and balance, which is explained in the book.

Infertility is discussed as a consequence of evolutionary traits that may influence reproductive success.

The author uses humor and analogies to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a broader audience.

Despite its engaging writing, some readers found the explanations on specific topics like crooked teeth inadequate or abrupt.

From The Publisher:

"A fantastic, informative book… I recommend Evolution Gone Wrong highly to anyone wishing to grasp the mix of biological and cultural forces at work on our anatomy today." - NPR

"Alex Bezzerides…is fascinated with the imperfect system that is the human body, and he explores and explains it adroitly in his fascinating, funny new book." - Salon

The flaws in our anatomy raise more than a few questions. Why is it that human mothers risk their lives giving birth? Why are there medical specialties for teeth and feet? And why is it that human babies can't hold their heads up, but horses trot around minutes after they're born? This detailed foray into the twists and turns of our ancestral past includes no shortage of curiosity and humor to find answers.

In this funny, wide-ranging and often surprising book, biologist Alex Bezzerides tells us just where we inherited our adaptable, achy, brilliant bodies in the process of evolution.

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Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work

Alex Bezzerides