First published: 06/08/2024
Penguin has released the highly anticipated book "Eve: How The Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution," by Cat Bohannon. Published in May 2024, this compelling work delves into the evolutionary history of the female body and its pivotal role in shaping humanity.
"Eve" has quickly become a New York Times Bestseller and was long-listed for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2024. It also earned the title of Foyle's Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2023 and was long-listed for Blackwell's Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2023. The book has been recognised as one of the best books of 2023 by The Guardian, The Telegraph, and Prospect, and was featured in Dua Lipa's Service95 as one of "5 Inspiring Reads to Kick Start the New Year."
In "Eve," Bohannon tackles critical and often overlooked questions in the scientific community: How did wet nurses contribute to the development of civilisation? Are women inherently the weaker sex? Can sexism be seen as a factor in evolution? And are our bodies inherently at odds with our offspring? Bohannon's inquiry spans 200 million years, providing a detailed and scientifically robust account of the female body's evolution. Her narrative offers fresh insights into how the female form has influenced key aspects of human development, from reproductive health to societal roles.
"Eve" presents a significant shift in the study of human evolution, challenging the traditional male-centric narrative. Bohannon's findings, such as the impact of C-sections on pelvic shape and the surprising connections between pus and breast milk, promise to alter our understanding of evolution and the human body's adaptation over millennia.
"Bohannon's findings, such as the impact of C-sections on pelvic shape and the surprising connections between pus and breast milk, promise to alter our understanding of evolution and the human body's adaptation over millennia."
Cat Bohannon is a scientist and writer affiliated with Columbia University, where she is a PhD candidate focused on the evolution of human cognition and narrative. Her works, including essays and poems, have been featured in Science Magazine, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, The Georgia Review, and Poets Against the War. Bohannon resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Bonnie Garmus, author of "Lessons in Chemistry," describes "Eve" as "a smart, funny, scientific deep-dive into the power of a woman's body," noting its ability to surprise, educate, and empower readers. Hope Jahren, author of "Lab Girl" and "Story of More," commends the book for its profound insights, stating it has been invaluable in her personal journey to understand the female body.
"Eve" is poised to become a critical reference for scholars and readers interested in the intersection of gender, biology, and evolution. By highlighting the female body's essential role in human development, Bohannon's work offers a necessary corrective to a field that has long focused predominantly on male-centric studies.
As readers worldwide delve into Bohannon's research, "Eve" is set to redefine our understanding of human evolution through the lens of the female experience.
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