The Hidden Life of Life: A Walk through the Reaches of Time

Animalibus: Of Animals and Cultures

by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Inspired by the idea of symbiosis in evolution--that all living things evolve in a series of cooperative relationships--Thomas takes readers on a journey through the progression of life. Along the way she shares the universal likenesses, experiences, and environments of "Gaia's creatures," from amoebas in plant soil to the pets we love, from proud primates to Homo sapiens hunter-gatherers on the African savanna. Fervently rejecting "anthropodenial," the notion that nonhuman life does not share characteristics with humans, Thomas instead shows that paramecia can learn, plants can communicate, humans aren't really as special as we think we are--and that it doesn't take a scientist to marvel at the smallest inhabitants of the natural world and their connections to all living things.

A unique voice on anthropology and animal behavior, Thomas challenges scientific convention and the jargon that prevents us all from understanding all living things better.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature

216 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2018

About the author

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is the author of The Harmless People, a non fiction work about the Kung Bushmen of southwestern Africa, and of Reindeer Moon, a novel about the paleolithic hunter gatherers of Siberia, both of which were tremendous international successes. She lives in New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only tangentially related to the Monadnock Summer Lyceum readings. Liz spoke with Sy Montgomery last summer on their creatures book. But I had picked this up at the time because it was her latest book and I had read the The Hidden Life of Dogs for another book group.

I don't know what I expected, but this was not it! I think I expected more stories as in the other books that I had read by her. This was truly a very scientific, well researched book about the origins and path of life. That said, it is not at all dry and has the great Liz Marshall Thomas wit, humor, and edge. It is both irreverent and straight science and makes for a great read. Loved it!

[Ann Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like her style. She's cranky-funny. Yes, some critics have been hard on her from the science perspective; but Marshall Thomas is deeply devoted to science. The last few chapters, devoted to the San people and speculations on early human life, strike me as poignant. The author, in her 80s, clearly feels humans have generally made a mess of things in our arrogance at considering ourselves at the top of the Chain of Beings. Her book tries to get us to reverse our thinking on that score.

She won't convince everyone. But she may make us think, which would be a good thing.

[Noel Cisneros]

Marshal Thomas ofrece un recorrido a través de la vida en esta obra, un recorrido desde los organismos más pequeños hasta los más grandes. Empieza señalando que no rehuirá la antropomorfización, que ella, al contrario nos ayudará a entender la vida más de cerca. Con una prosa ligera, atractiva y entretenida Marshal Thomas nos lleva a conocer el árbol de la vida.

[Jule · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this woman.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely adored this book!!!