Evolved: Chronicles of a Pleistocene Mind

by Maximilian Werner, John Alcock (Foreword)

How did you choose your home? What side of the bed do you sleep on? Could you be like a spider? In this memoir-infused exploration of evolutionary theory, Maximilian Werner shows how our Pleistocene instincts inform our everyday decisions and behaviors in a fresh and friendly modern-day Walden.

“Werner’s prose is compelling, his natural history is thoroughly engaging, and his line of curious inquiry is an admirable attempt to better understand humanity and its changing relationship with the external world.”
— Publishers Weekly

"This book provides an entry in to the great epic of evolution in a way that makes it both accessible and inspiring. This is no small accomplishment and we are all indebted to Maximilian Werner."
—Mary Evelyn Tucker, co- author, Journey of the Universe

"Join this sensitive and perceptive naturalist as he explores his yard and nearby caves and mountains, carefully observing the activities of myriad life forms, and then reflecting insightfully on the evolutionary story we share with them. Learn from him how to feel completely at home in the world."
—Loyal Rue, author of Religion is Not about God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature and What to Expect When They Fail

"Werner's book, thought-provoking and emotionally satisfying, takes us on a journey, a journey that ultimately urges each one of us to get up, go outside and hunt around the edges of our homes for the mysteries that await."
—Sylvia Torti, author of The Scorpion's Tail

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2013

About the author

Maximilian Werner is the author of the award-winning essay collection "Black River Dreams" and the upcoming novel "Crooked Creek." When he is not fly fishing on one of his favorite western waters, or elbow-deep in the garden dirt, he is at home writing or in the classroom teaching and trying to help humans live up to their potential as a species.

Reviews

[J. Lee Hazlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this entire book had been written like the last couple of chapters were. The really beautiful prose and philosophy was concentrated at the very end of the book. The first and last chapters don't even seem to have come from the same pen. Maybe that's the point - maybe the author was kind of working his theory or what he wanted to say out as he went - but to be honest he almost lost me with the first chapter. If even half of the book was like the final pages, it would be an easy five stars. Worth a read if you have time to spare and an interest in the premise, but in my opinion not worth making special room on your list for - unless you skip straight to the last twenty or thirty pages.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of memoir is admittedly one with which I have spent little time; however, it's difficult to imagine another genre in which authors can put themselves so directly on the line, especially in terms of relating candidly to the unpleasantries of life. At the outset, Werner approaches his narrative from the perspective that there is a sort of primal subconcious influence on our decisions, which he terms the "Pleistocene mind," and it is in this context that the memoir takes shape. As human animals, Werner suggests ways in which our lives may be influenced as a result of our evolutionary conditioning, which is quite interesting to consider, albeit also somewhat speculative.

The real gems in this book come from Werner's personal experiences, which often cut deeply to the core of what it is to be human. And while in many cases, I cannot relate directly to some of the memories shared, I have found that these experiences have prompted a surprising amount of reflection about my own. Like Werner, I'm also known to check up on the spiders in and around my home, which on the surface may appear to be silly, but seems to demonstrate one of the fundamental issues arising in this book--namely, the development of a profound respect for life.

[Sue Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In short, I will never look at my backyard quite the same way.As a matter of fact, the same goes for inside the house, where we now have a pet kitchen spider.

This book should be shared with young children, as they may also grow to appreciate the world going on around them.

[Melissa Pugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but it was very sappy. Maybe people need that with books about evolution. The Arachnophile was my favorite part