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Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes by Nathan H. Lents
andy_acid's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
4.0
The book was quite lighthearted and non-exhaustive, which can sometimes make some of the theories oversimplified and shallow. However, it does a good job of keeping the reader's attention. The topic of this book is quite interesting, and just like the author has said, while many books sing praises to the greatness of the human body, this book discusses something that shows a more pragmatic nature of evolution (similar to 'The Blind Watchmaker' by Richard Dawkins, but with more information on designing faults). I do think the first chapter, 'Pointless Bones and Anatomical Errors,' could have been more elaborated upon. I also liked how the author discussed our cognitive biases as a bug in our system in Chapter 6, 'A Species of Suckers.' I'm not sure if the long epilogue added much to the book, but it seems alright.
4 stars out of 5.
4 stars out of 5.
shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very informative book - the human body is such an extraordinary thing.
piddlepiddle's review against another edition
2.5
Not as fun and entertaining as I hoped it would be for a pop science book :(
ameyawarde's review against another edition
4.0
Another really interesting book. Does a good job pointing out many of the things that are useless (or worse) in our body and how that effects us, and why evolution didn't get rid of those things (usually bc they just don't interfere with procreation and that's how natural selection works).
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
A unique idea for a book about the human body that emphasizes the flaws of it. Its very accessible in how it explains science in an easy to understand way. As someone who didn't get a thorough education on evolution growing up, I found this useful in fixing that.
I did find the section on psychology useless personally, but that's just because I've taken college-level psychology courses. I also found the part on teen behavior in regards to gender and recklessness too oversimplified and narrow, it seems like it was missing some of the social explanations that could go along with the evolutionary ones.
I'd still recommend it though as I found most of the information fascinating and well explained, especially if you don't have a lot of knowledge on biology and looking to learn. I'd especially recommend reading the section on child birth since that seems to be a topic most people don't fully understand, especially how complicated and risky it is. This author is also apparently working on a book about the history of human sexuality and gender and I look forward to that.
I did find the section on psychology useless personally, but that's just because I've taken college-level psychology courses. I also found the part on teen behavior in regards to gender and recklessness too oversimplified and narrow, it seems like it was missing some of the social explanations that could go along with the evolutionary ones.
I'd still recommend it though as I found most of the information fascinating and well explained, especially if you don't have a lot of knowledge on biology and looking to learn. I'd especially recommend reading the section on child birth since that seems to be a topic most people don't fully understand, especially how complicated and risky it is. This author is also apparently working on a book about the history of human sexuality and gender and I look forward to that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Miscarriage
Moderate: Misogyny
jotoide's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.25
Interesting read in some parts but it often felt like it was just a list of facts. Has a few iffy things that show its age. It was not bad but there are probably better books o the topic by now.