Publishers Weekly
06/12/2023
Biologist Emera’s enlightening debut traces the evolutionary history of women’s bodies. Mammary glands, Emera explains, likely developed from sweat glands in humans’ amphibian-like distant ancestors more than 350 million years ago. Nipples formed later, providing offspring with a more sanitary alternative to licking milk droplets mothers “sweat out” on their skin, where the milk would have risked spoiling and mingled with bacteria. Exploring the science of why women menstruate, Emera suggests it’s likely a form of “quality control... screening for the best eggs, sperm, and embryos.” Another theory illuminates how the interests of a mother and child sometimes conflict: the endometrium that builds up in the uterus during the menstrual cycle is possibly a precaution to make it harder for a yet-to-be-formed embryo to sap more nutrients from its mother than she can afford to lose. Emera also discusses research into the mechanics of mate selection, including one study in which women reported finding the scents of men who were genetically dissimilar from them more attractive than the scents of men who were more similar. Thought-provoking and accessibly written, this fascinates. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"In this excellent and engaging book, Emera probes the mysteries and mythology of the female body both through the eyes of an evolutionary biologist and a mother. Her delightful prose and keen insights make for a uniquely enjoyable gynecologic journey of discovery." — Jonathan Reisman, M.D., author of The Unseen Body: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of Human Anatomy
"Understanding ourselves begins with understanding our biology. In this important book, Deena Emera guides us on a journey through the past, present, and future of the female body. It’s a story with profound implications not just for women, but for all of us." — Jamie Metzl, author of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity
"At last! Now that women like Deena Emera are studying evolutionary biology and medicine we get to read books like A Brief History of the Female Body. Deena provides timely and well-informed summaries and discussion of topics women care about within the spheres that actually matter to us." — Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, author of Mother Nature: A History of Mothers, Infants, and Natural Selection
"A Brief History of the Female Body is a wonderful book giving insights into the biological struggle between mother and child, why you have breasts, orgasms, periods, and menopause. This is a must read for every woman and those who love her." — Louann Brizendine M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The Female Brain and The Upgrade
"Thought-provoking and accessibly written, this fascinates." — Publishers Weekly
