The Rise and Reign of the Mammals

A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us

By: Steve Brusatte

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

New from the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (“A masterpiece of science writing.” —Washington Post) and “one of the stars of modern paleontology” (National Geographic), a sweeping and revelatory history of mammals, illuminating the lost story of the extraordinary family tree that led to us.

We humans are the inheritors of a dynasty that has reigned over the planet for nearly 66 million years, through fiery cataclysm and ice ages: the mammals. Our lineage includes saber-toothed tigers, woolly mammoths, armadillos the size of a car, cave bears three times the weight of a grizzly, clever scurriers that outlasted Tyrannosaurus rex, and even other types of humans, like Neanderthals. Indeed humankind and many of the beloved fellow mammals we share the planet with today—lions, whales, dogs—represent only the few survivors of a sprawling and astonishing family tree that has been pruned by time and mass extinctions. How did we get here?

In his acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs—hailed as “the ultimate dinosaur biography” by Scientific American—American paleontologist Steve Brusatte enchanted readers with his definitive history of the dinosaurs. Now, picking up the narrative in the ashes of the extinction event that doomed T-rex and its kind, Brusatte explores the remarkable story of the family of animals that inherited the Earth—mammals— and brilliantly reveals that their story is every bit as fascinating and complex as that of the dinosaurs.

Beginning with the earliest days of our lineage some 325 million years ago, Brusatte charts how mammals survived the asteroid that claimed the dinosaurs and made the world their own, becoming the astonishingly diverse range of animals that dominate today’s Earth. Brusatte also brings alive the lost worlds mammals inhabited through time, from ice ages to volcanic catastrophes. Entwined in this story is the detective work he and other scientists have done to piece together our understanding using fossil clues and cutting-edge technology.

A sterling example of scientific storytelling by one of our finest young researchers, The Rise and Reign of the Mammals illustrates how this incredible history laid the foundation for today’s world, for us, and our future.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Steve Brusatte (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

informative, interesting

book is well written. It is chronologically organized so it makes it easier to follow events. Moreover, when necessary for the understanding of one event he reminds of previous chapters which is nice because he doesn't leave you pondering what's he talking about. Enjoyed the book very much, and learned many things!

Interesting book

I found the book interesting and informative. The author really knows his subject. Glad I listened to it.

entertaining and informative

defiantly worth a listen if you're interested in ybe subject. no 5 stars because of liberal idealism needlessly spattered throughout.

Excellent follow up to the first book

I love to hear this story of history, I will re listen to this offten

Give me more Ice Age

Interesting material… thought there would be more on the Ice Age, the various mega-fauna of North America, and Man.

Love it!

I have read it several times and highly recommend it! Great read and also his dinosaur book!

Interesting - worth a read

A fascinating and engaging evolutionary story of the mammals. The details of the earliest stages - describing the extinct antecedents - is the strength of the book. The description of how diet is so clearly reflected in dentition, and the stories skeletons can tell us is highly engaging. One can clearly see the nuances of evolutionary processes over time.

The other strength of the book is the exploration of how gradual evolutionary processes are profoundly disrupted by singular extinction events and climate change. It is reminder that what we see outside our windows today are not necessarily evolutionary winners, but the lineages of the lucky survivors. It should also promote a sense of humility as we consider our own origins, covered in the final chapters.

An emergent theme is that as all living things will die, so all species eventually go extinct. Evolution is inexorable and inescapable. As we contemplate our own eventual extinction, it is interesting to speculate about which lineages will lie at the base of the post-Anthropocene diversification. Having covered dinosaurs and mammals, perhaps this will be the author's next book.

It is refreshing (and sadly rare) to see such honest affection for and admiration of colleagues in the academic world. But these are not the friends or colleagues of the reader. It sometimes feels as though we have wondered into a stranger's retirement party and are now standing about awkwardly with a glass of cheap wine wondering how to make a graceful exit before we are confronted by the host. Perhaps, there are better venues for such kind sentiments.

This is a good book and I recommend it for those who appreciate the intriguing complexities of evolution.

Outstanding

Outstanding book! Well done! compelling and endlessly fascinating! Easy read, hard to stop listening to and highly recommend.

Much better than I expected

This book was a pleasant surprise. I was hesitant to get it because of the reviews that the author's previous book, 'The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs' had gotten. The information was presented in a chronological format and was clear, well researched and presented in a manner that is easy to follow, although the names of most of these critters were new and unfamiliar. The reader's voice was not the most pleasant to listen to but he spoke well and his pronunciation of the tongue-twisting names was commendable. Overall, listening to this book was a wonderful learning experience and one that I'm grateful for having had and for having overcome my initial hesitation to buying.

Fascinating and insightful ☺️

In 'The Rise and Reign of Mammals,' the author expertly navigates the expansive journey of mammals from their earliest beginnings to their dominant position in today's world. Through a seamless blend of fascinating anecdotes, rigorous research, and evocative illustrations, the book offers readers a comprehensive and captivating exploration of the evolution, diversity, and resilience of mammals. Whether you're a seasoned biologist or a curious layperson, this book promises a thrilling ride through the epochs, highlighting the pivotal moments that have shaped the mammalian legacy. An indispensable addition to the library of anyone passionate about the natural world."