History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes 

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes: Episode 2

The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes, Episode 2

Today we examine the Platypus, the Archaeopteryx and the Oyster.

How bizarre is the platypus? Have you ever heard of a reptile with wings? Two weirdly wonderful creatures and how million-dollar molluscs captured the world’s attention.

We are not alone. We are not alone on the planet. We are not alone in the countryside. We are not alone in cities. We are not alone in our homes. 

We are humans and we love the idea of our uniqueness. But the fact is that we humans are as much members of the animal kingdom as the cats and dogs we surround ourselves with, the cows and the fish we eat, and the bees who pollinate so many of our food-plants. 

In The History of the World in 100 Animals, award-winning author Simon Barnes selects the 100 animals who have had the greatest impact on humanity and on whom humanity has had the greatest effect. He shows how we have domesticated animals for food and for transport, and how animals powered agriculture, making civilisation possible. A species of flea came close to destroying human civilisation in Europe, while the slaughter of a species of bovines was used to create one civilisation and destroy another. He explains how pigeons made possible the biggest single breakthrough in the history of human thought. In short, he charts the close relationship between humans and animals, with great insight and understanding.

The heresy of human uniqueness has led us across the millennia along the path of destruction. This book helps us to understand our place in the world, so that we might do a better job of looking after it. That might save the polar bears, the modern emblem of impending loss and destruction. It might even save ourselves.

We have chosen 10 out of the 100 animals for these extracts from the book.

Simon Barnes is the author of many wild volumes, including the bestselling Bad Birdwatcher trilogy, Rewild Yourself and On The Marsh. He is a council member of World Land Trust, trustee of Conservation South Luangwa and patron of Save the Rhino. In 2014, he was awarded the Rothschild Medal for services to conservation.

Abridged by Florence Bedell

Read by
Paul Westwood
Sophie Barker
Elliot James
Sarah Lambie
Mathew Wellard
Hannah Brackstone-Brown

Produced by Clive Brill
A Brill production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Audiobooks

Factual

Simon Barnes charts the close relationship between humans and animals.

Book of the Week. A selection of ten of the 100 animals that Simon Barnes says have had the greatest impact on humanity and on which humanity has had the greatest effect.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes

Episode 2

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4