Adam's Navel (The Natural and Cultural History of the Human Body)

Author: (USA) Mike Sims
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: As self-proclaimed the most advanced beings on Earth, humans can imagine the appearance of angels in their boundless imaginations, yet they remain mere mortals with flesh and blood. In disappointment, we can read Mike Sims' The Belly of Adam: A Natural and Cultural History of the Human Body. After reading it, we will realize that the flesh and blood body we inherit from our ancestors is truly remarkable. The Belly of Adam: A Natural and Cultural History of the Human Body combines scientific rigor with storytelling. While providing simple and easy-to-understand anatomical explanations of the human body, it also weaves dry Darwinian evolution and trendy popular culture throughout the text. For example, in the chapter on hands, we can learn about how tiny hand nerve endings work, the history of handshakes, the relationship between gestures and language, and even how the writer Marcel Proust evaluated our hands, which are so important. The book also covers the history of breastfeeding, why we cry, the art and science of reading lips, and more. In the chapter on noses, you can find out why the philosopher Nietzsche said his inspiration was all in his nose. From Louis Armstrong's scarred lips to Dracula's claw-like toes, The Belly of Adam: A Natural and Cultural History of the Human Body is like a feast for the human body. After reading it, we can gain insight into the body we inhabit yet know so little about, experiencing a shocking journey through the human body. Along the way, we walk through the long history of human evolution and savor the wonders of the human body.