A quirky and inspired guide to your very own origin story.
This enlightening and irresistible book for adults explains how you were made—not with the standard euphemisms told to us as children, but with vivid, exacting prose that unveils all the complex processes we never knew produced human life.
With a brilliant talent for thoughtful, charming science writing, Katharina Vestre takes us from cell to human and shares surprising facts along the way—such as that sperm have a sense of smell and that hiccups were likely inherited from our ancient, underwater ancestors. She also shows why gender is more complicated than we think and reveals the questions scientists still ponder about how we came to be.
A miniature drama of cosmic significance, this is the incredible story of you.
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9781771644921
Media Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Greystone Books
Publication Date: 10-08-2019
Pages: 192
Product Dimensions: 5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.80(d)
About the Author
Katharina Vestre is a doctoral research fellow at the Department of Biosciences at the Universityof Oslo, Norway. The Making of You is her first book.
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From the Publisher
"This compact volume is an unconventional, entertaining look at the science of reproduction, perfect for those curious about their biological beginnings." —Shelf Awareness
"Few dramas are as fascinating as the one that plays out in the human womb. Embryologist Katharina Vestre’s engrossing primer gives us the script, from the harrowing journey of sperm towards egg, to that first gulp of air in the dazzle outside. [Vestre] has the knack of sparking wonder.” —Nature
“The Making of You is a delightful walk through pregnancy, as seen from the inside. Katharina Vestre acts as your knowledgeable and affable tour guide, showing how a single fertilized cell becomes the fascinating creature we call a newborn. You will be glad you took the trip.” —Paul Raeburn, author of The Game Theorist’s Guide to Parenting and Do Fathers Matter?