Breasts

A Natural and Unnatural History

By: Florence Williams

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Nonfiction, 2013

Did you know that breast milk contains substances similar to cannabis? Or that it's sold on the Internet for 262 times the price of oil? Feted and fetishized, the breast is an evolutionary masterpiece. But in the modern world, the breast is changing. Breasts are getting bigger, arriving earlier, and attracting newfangled chemicals. Increasingly, the odds are stacked against us in the struggle with breast cancer, even among men. What makes breasts so mercurial - and so vulnerable?

In this informative and highly entertaining account, intrepid science reporter Florence Williams sets out to uncover the latest scientific findings from the fields of anthropology, biology, and medicine. Her investigation follows the life cycle of the breast from puberty to pregnancy to menopause, taking her from a plastic surgeon's office, where she learns about the importance of cup size in Texas, to the laboratory, where she discovers the presence of environmental toxins in her own breast milk. The result is a fascinating exploration of where breasts came from, where they have ended up, and what we can do to save them.

©2012 Florence Williams (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[A] remarkably informative and compelling work of discovery." ( Booklist)

Interesting insights, but science is unconvincing

The author provides a lot of information about breasts, with some interesting points. It IS odd that there's no medical specialty for breasts, although there is for essentially every other organ or body part. Often the science and medicine seems to have neglected a body part so important, not just for self confidence, but as a vital part of child rearing for most of human history.

All the talk about toxins did make me start to doubt the author. The book ended up feeling like her personal crusade to promote her own health-related values, and I wasn't clear how much of it was or wasn't scientific.

This is a useful and educational work, with a very good narrator, but if I had to do it again I would look elsewhere to see if there were better works on the subject.

Interesting, but a tough listen in the car

This is an interesting book, though scattered in its presentation. It ranged from being very detailed and scientific to casual and flip. (Isn't it the female XX chromosome and not the XX gene?) I listen to books in my car to and from work and this book didn't hold my attention very well. I would find my mind wandering and then would have to rewind to catch up. The attempts at humor were short and seemed out of place. I don't know if the author was trying to emulate Mary Roach's books, but it just doesn't fly. I'm sure the narrator is good at what she does, but this being a non-fiction book, I didn't see the need for her to change her voice/accent when quoting researchers. It took away from the experience. I can't say I will recommend it.

Fascinating and well-researched

If you are a mother, this is a must read. The reader of this Audi le book was highly entertaining.

Breasts are the canary in the coal mine...

What made the experience of listening to Breasts the most enjoyable?

This book is non fiction, scientific and profound

What was one of the most memorable moments of Breasts?

The science behind breast cancer, premature puberty and wieght issues are presented with startling clarity throughout this book. I recommend it to everyone I know, everyone I meet and now to strangers. DO NOT HESITATE to read this book. Consider giving as a gift to all of those who ask "why is there so much more breast cancer?" Why didn"t 'they' tell us?

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

You can't skim like you might with a print book when the information becomes uncomfortable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Breasts, the Canaries in the Coal Mine, a Documentary

Any additional comments?

Often a title might put someone off, please don't avoid this book because the title isn't catchy.

Do you want to be scared?

This story is definitely told by a "greenie" . The use of terms a chemist would only know was troubling. A lot of facts were presented and dire consequences foretold. I think it was necessary but all the three and four letter compounds left one wondering what it all means.

All about mammary glands

Comprehensive and scientific without being overly clinical. Extremely well researched and informative. Lots of funny anecdotes. Completely engaging and highly recommended for any person with breasts.

Interesting book, reader was not for me

This is an event book, taking one body part and exploring related medical and scientific findings about it. The writing was entertaining and had some humor thrown in while feeling authoritative, and I felt that the science was clearly well researched.

The reader made me want to jump off of a cliff into the ocean. She was robotic, which super bizarre emphasis on a ton of words—and her tone often gave some areas and points emphasis that I don’t v think the author intended, like disapproval or annoyance. It annoyed me, anyway, the entire freaking book.

Keeping Abreast of the Breast

Americans are obsessed with breasts as sexual signifiers. As a result, their real beauty and purpose become obscured. This delightful, well-written, and carefully researched book examines many facets of our breasts including breast enhancement and the real role of the breast--feeding our young. I particularly enjoyed Williams study of the environmental hazards that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Finally, the narrator's matter of fact reading invited the listener to pause and consider that maginificent orb--the human breast.

inform inform inform

So informative that I need a physical copy now for the details! Thank you Florence for your thorough research and thoughtful presentation of both knowledge and uncertainty.

Interesting Book but Overall Unsatisfying

This book presents a lot of great information, but overall lacks the cohesion to make it a great read. Although the author does an excellent job grabbing the readers attention in the beginning of the book, she slowly departs from the main topic and leaves the reader wondering where she is going. Everything she speaks about is loosely relevant to breasts but in certain parts, she focuses far too much on the sub-topics and only touches on how they relate to breasts. While this provides the reader with a great deal of information on topics such as fire retardant materials and plastics, it takes time and attention away from the main topic.

Kate Reading is an interesting choice for narrator. While she is one of my favorite female readers, having her read this book is like talking about breasts with a favorite aunt, slightly awkward.

I believe that the information on breast cancer alone makes this book worth reading. The books agenda in promoting awareness of breast cancer is admirable and a great plus. Unfortunately the chaotic and loosely organized structure of the book bring it down from a great book to simply mediocre.