Inheritors of the Earth
- Author Chris D. Thomas
- Narrator Leighton Pugh
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Run Time 9 hours and 12 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Biodiversity, Climate change, Endangered species and extinction of species, Geography, The environment.
Click to open directly in the xigxag app.
Titles Purchased
- 1-5
- 6-10
- 11-15
- 16-20
- Over 20
Price p/Title
- £7.99
- £6.99
- £5.99
- £4.99
- £3.99
Listen to a sample
What to expect
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Inheritors of the Earth by Chris D. Thomas, read by Leighton Pugh.
THE TIMES, ECONOMIST AND GUARDIAN BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2017
It is accepted wisdom today that human beings have irrevocably damaged the natural world. We have altered our climate, acidified our oceans, and we are in the process of causing the sixth mass extinction. Yet what if this gloomy narrative obscures a more hopeful truth? In Inheritors of the Earth, renowned ecologist and environmentalist Chris D. Thomas overturns this loss-only view of the world's biodiversity, revealing how many animals and plants have benefited from the human-altered planet.
Taking us on a round-the-world journey to meet the enterprising animals and plants that are thriving in the Anthropocene, from York's ochre-coloured comma butterfly to the hybrid American bison and the scarlet-beaked New Zealand pukeko, Thomas questions why we resist the success of so-called 'invasive species', and why we see human activities as fundamentally unnatural. Combining a naturalist's eye for wildlife with an ecologist's wide lens, Chris Thomas forces us to re-examine humanity's relationship with nature, and reminds us that the story of life is the story of change.
An immensely significant book. It is fluently written, carefully thought through, ruthlessly argued, neatly illustrated with case studies - and shockingly contrarian - Matt Ridley, The Times (Book of the Week)
His flowing narrative is rich in stories of his fieldwork round the world ... Thomas's vision ... aspires to something nobler, more optimistic - Fred Pearce, New Scientist
Fascinating ... Chris Thomas examines our human relationships with nature, bad and good, and sets out a more hopeful truth to current narratives and alarms ... This is a rich and timely tale, fearless too, with examples and cases drawn from ecosystems across the world - Prof Jules Pretty, Times Higher Education
Critics Review
An immensely significant book. It is fluently written, carefully thought through, ruthlessly argued, neatly illustrated with case studies – and shockingly contrarian
His flowing narrative is rich in stories of his fieldwork round the world … Thomas’s vision … aspires to something nobler, more optimistic
Fascinating … Chris Thomas examines our human relationships with nature, bad and good, and sets out a more hopeful truth to current narratives and alarms … This is a rich and timely tale, fearless too, with examples and cases drawn from ecosystems across the world
[A] thrilling and uplifting counter to the pessimism of the Anthropocene
A decent and humane tale about the threat and promise of biodiversity change
The most interesting / challenging / surprising thing I’ve read about the natural world for years
A provocative book that challenges us to look positively at our human changes to the natural world and reimagine conservation in the Anthropocene
Chris Thomas takes the million-year view of today’s human-dominated world. The result is a thoughtful, provocative, and improbably hopeful book
With a perspective that stretches many epochs into the past and forward to the year One Million A.D., Thomas reframes Earth’s current ecological upheaval as a time of great creation as well as great loss. Without minimizing or excusing the damage humans have done to the planet, Inheritors of the Earth opens our eyes to the splendid and fascinating ways nature is adapting and evolving to the world we have made. He urges us to take our cue from the majestic dynamism of nature and work with other species as they change and move, rather than fighting an impossible battle to freeze the planet in time. All change is not bad. I thought I was an optimist. Thomas is the real ecological optimist.
With Inheritors of the Earth, Chris D. Thomas issues a challenge to the conventional view of nature in decline. He urges us to embrace the environmental changes we’ve set in motion, daring to suggest that human activities will ultimately increase the diversity of life on Earth. A timely and provocative read
Provocative … Filled with lovely anecdotes … Remarkably clear
More from the same
About xigxag
Enjoy the best audiobooks on xigxag, an innovative, user-friendly audiobook platform that makes it easy to find, purchase, and enjoy your favorite books in audio format. xigxag’s flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less – affordable prices and the best audiobook deals with no subscription required. Give the perfect gift with our audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.
xigxag’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices ensures a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform – an exciting alternative to big tech. Enjoy audiobooks from the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service and a leader in audiobook innovation.
Search effortlessly, read honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the book and the narration, and discover hidden gems. Download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere and get the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to get tailored content recommendations, product updates and info on new releases. Your data is your own: we commit to protect your data and respect your privacy.