A Most Improbable Journey

A Big History of Our Planet and Ourselves

By: Walter Alvarez

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Big History, the field that studies the entire known past of our universe to give context to human existence, has so far been the domain of historians. Geologist Walter Alvarez - best known for his Impact Theory explaining dinosaur extinction - makes a compelling case for a new, science-first approach to Big History. He brings a scientist's view to the human story, from the creation of our universe and our planet, the rise of life, the movement of our continents and its effect on human migration, to humanity's ascendance due to our mastery of Earth's natural resources. Alvarez's illuminating observations will give listeners a new appreciation of the events, from the Big Bang to the Bronze Age and beyond, that have led to the human situation.

©2016 Walter Alvarez (P)2016 Dreamscape Media, LLC

The Best Big History Presentation

An incredibly clear and understandable presentation of an amazingly complex story/ This is the goal of Big History. It is just that Alvarez does it a step further. A must read for anyone interested in who we are and how we got here!

A must read!!!

A great, and easy to understand, narrative on how improbable our current earth is as we know it today and us who live upon this planet. It should be required reading for all of our high school students!

Learned so much

Terrifically informative. Will listen to it again and would recommend it to anyone interested in geology and history.

big history made accessible

Loved this entertaining, highly informative tour of our Big History. From the big bang theory to the uniqueness of each of us humans, captivating!

So deeply disappointed

What disappointed you about A Most Improbable Journey?

Alvarez is a world class scientist with a wealth of information all about him at UC Berkeley. Yet he produced a grade-school version of Guns Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond- who really did open a fascinating view of history and mankind. Alvarez produced no insights nor a single "aha!" moment.