I really enjoyed this book. It gives a deep dive into what life was like for humans for the vast majority of our existence, and how we can live in modern times in ways that are suited to what we adapted for. The main pillars that Comer touches on are sleep, activity, work (which he says was more like play for most of our existence), connection to nature, and food. He busts a lot of myths about our prehistoric ancestors, like the thinking that they had to work tirelessly all day to get enough food. He uses not only archeological records but modern-day hunter-gatherer tribes who are still living as they have for thousands of years, and shows how they really live compared to us and compared to stereotypes.

The book was fascinating in all of these categories. I learned that modern hunter-gatherers don't even have a name for insomnia because it just doesn't occur (probably because of their natural light exposure and dark cycle, plus their activity throughout the day), and they tend to sleep on the floor without even a pillow but report sleeping well. They also don't sleep a lot more than we do, which surprised me, just deeper and if they have a deficit they make up for it the next day. Comer also talks a lot about how the way of life back then (and for modern hunter-gatherers) is playful. Work is not required but chosen -- people go out together to forage or hunt and then prepare the food but it's all in a very playful spirit. They sing, they spend time together, they get just what they need for today and then stop and do something else. He even points out that the "work" we did in prehistoric times tends to be what we do for play on our time off in modern times (hunting, fishing, gardening...). He recommends minimalism because it allows for a closer version of our prehistoric existence-- not having to work tirelessly to afford all the stuff, so to speak, or to take care of it.

The book gets a little science and research heavy at times (a full quarter of the book is footnotes at the end), and I tended to skim those a little faster after a while. I appreciated the way Comer would talk about our ancestors and then come back to extrapolate how to do that sort of thing in our present times. Even when talking about the diet we adapted for he says to aim for mostly those traditional foods (lots of fruits and vegetables, fiber, whole foods) and doesn't say we have to go back to eating all brains and leaves.

Another fascinating part of the book is how completely our ancestors' quality of life plummeted with the agricultural revolution. We even shrank in size, and our life expectancy crashed. There's quite a bit of sociology and history with that section, and how everything about our civilizations changed with the simple act of moving from nomadic lives to agricultural ones (the invention of land ownership, classes, moving suddenly to mostly grains for food and drink...). He covers so much more, but those are some of the things that really sparked my interest. Well recommended.

I read a digital ARC of this book via Net Galley.

An interesting read that is looking to explore the concept of Eudaemonia (Living a satisfactory life). the book tries to show that while we are still evolving in terms of genetic evolution it is our culture and way of lifestyle that is taking a toll on our body and we are unable to live a satisfactory life. While the genes may or may not have fully adapted to our recent culture, this has caused a mismatch between what our biological body needs and our environment demands.

The book is extremely well researched with a lot of good research quoted at the end. However, one issue I had with the book was that the book had mentioned a number of things without going in too much detail about that fact. There are contradicting researches that have been presented in the book, but the author doesnt delve deeper into them.

Seeing the cover and to some extent even the synopsis of the book, i thought it would be more of a book related to evolution and biology. But i was mildly (and probably pleasantly) surprised that there was a mix of biology, psychology, history too thrown in inside the book.

Overall, a good introductory book on the topic. But would have loved if it had provided a more in-depth insight.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In “On the Origin of Being,” Luke Comer and Jenny Powers delve into the fascinating intersection of evolutionary science and human well-being. Drawing inspiration from Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work, this book explores how our genetic design interacts with our modern lifestyle, impacting our health and quality of life.

The authors highlight the misalignments between our ancient genetic makeup and the demands of contemporary living. These discrepancies can lead to reduced well-being and can contribute to disease.

Comer and Powers investigate various human behaviors through an evolutionary lens. From our dietary choices to our social interactions, they reveal how our past shapes our present.

By paying homage to Charles Darwin, the authors emphasize the importance of understanding our evolutionary heritage. They encourage readers to explore the origins of our being to enhance our overall quality of life.

“On the Origin of Being” is a thought-provoking journey. Comer and Powers skillfully bridge scientific insights with practical implications. Their exploration of evolutionary mismatches provides valuable context for understanding health challenges in our modern world. The writing is accessible, making complex concepts relatable to a wide audience.

For those curious about the science behind our existence and eager to optimize their well-being, this book offers fresh perspectives.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast or simply intrigued by the intricacies of human evolution, “On the Origin of Being” is a rewarding read.

★
Book 1 of a three-book series exploring the concept of eudaemonia (living a satisfying life), On the Origin of Being discusses how better sleep, proper nutrition, work and rest, and connection with the natural world enhance our lives.

My biggest praise
It compiles a bunch of research!

My biggest issues
1. Frequently states things without going into detail
↳ We know what some cause-and-effect connections are, but not why the connections exist

2. General vagueness
↳ Sources are cited, but the information lacks specific numbers and details
↳ Brings up the ideas of contradictory research/beliefs, but never dives further into them

3. I don’t think this book knew exactly what it wanted to be
↳ I thought this would be more biology-based… it ended up being a mixture of biology + history + psychology + anthropology + the briefest of dabbles in economics (?) + an overwhelm of self-help. Which equaled me feeling duped! Because of this unmet expectation, I never became fully interested.
↳ Speaking of interest, between endless repetition and confusing organization, this book failed to maintain mine. I felt like we were going in circles, trudging through ideas we had discussed and conclusions we had already reached several times before. I scanned a lot of pages from the 40% mark on.

4, Ultimately, there wasn't much knowledge that couldn’t have been gleaned from lived experiences
↳ When we sleep terribly, we feel terribly
↳ When we eat poorly, we feel poorly
↳ When we’re overworked, we’re depressed
↳ When we spend time in nature, we feel calm
↳ When we overconsume, we’re overwhelmed


Also, rather than introducing a new-to-the-book concept (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) in the conclusion, it would’ve given structure to the content had it been mentioned in the beginning and woven throughout the book.


Now let’s talk distrust
I think it’s logical to use Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me as an example of the negative effects of poor diet. I think it would’ve been better had the controversy surrounding it been addressed and used this to bolster this discussion. Spurlock’s results were skewed by his failure to disclose his 20-year struggle with alcoholism, which began when he was 13, prior to filming this documentary. Because this wasn’t addressed, I am wary of the validity of other sources used.


An interesting quote:
*TW: eating disorders*
⌞ “Before eating that extra donut sitting in the break room, it may be helpful to think, ‘If I eat that donut, I will have to run for 30 minutes to balance my [caloric] input and output’.” ⌝
WHAT!


Ultimately, there wasn't much knowledge in this book that couldn’t have been gleaned from one’s lived experiences.
↳ When we sleep terribly, we feel terribly.
↳ When we eat poorly, we feel poorly.
↳ When we’re overworked, we’re depressed.
↳ When we spend time in nature, we feel calm.
↳ When we overconsume, we’re overwhelmed.



All that to say: I was impressed with the amount of sources compiled for this book; I wasn’t so impressed with much else.

Thank you NetGalley and River Grove Books for the ARC!

This book traces human behaviors back to their evolutionary roots, from single-cell organisms to primates and hominoids. It demonstrates the misalignments between our genetic design and modern lifestyles, and shows how realigning our behaviors around sleep, nutrition, work, and our relationship with nature can lead to greater well-being.

I enjoyed the perspective this book brought to the topic. The book is informative, inspiring, and full of practical advice.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A very interesting mix of popular science and practical self-help guide.

Many years ago, when I read a great book called "Your Inner Fish" by Neil Shubin, I realized that our bodies are not cleverly designed machines, but rather a mismatched assembly of reused parts - a result of the messy realities of evolution. And they are particularly ill-suited to our modern, sedentary lifestyles and ultra-processed foods.

Understanding how our organisms came to be and how humans have lived for thousands of years can help us close this gap, to use a phrase from the book. The authors guide us through the scientific facts about sleep, diet, and other aspects of our lives, and then offer science-based advice and tips.

Thanks to the publisher, River Grove Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

A great book for anyone who has deep interest in human evolution, health, and fitness—all at once. The book’s highlights are aligning our sleep with the natural day-night cycle, eating nutrient-balanced natural foods, and moving away from the constant work culture of today.

I highly appreciate the visual elements which is excellent and supporting complex concepts and chronology explanation more accessible and easier to understand

It provides a clear and engaging evidence of evolutionary science. It's a great guide for anyone looking to live a healthier, more balanced life by combining ancient wisdom with modern science.

I cannot find the book on Goodreads. I hope it will be available there soon so I can leave a review over there.

I approached the book with an appreciation for the interdisciplinary connections between evolutionary biology and practical well-being. Comer and Powers have crafted a compelling narrative that bridges scientific theory with everyday applications, making complex evolutionary concepts accessible and relevant to a broad audience.

The book effectively integrates evolutionary biology with contemporary health and lifestyle advice. Comer's background as an author and producer, combined with Powers' expertise in immunology, provides a solid foundation for discussing how evolutionary principles shape human behavior and health. The authors trace the development of key behaviors from early single-celled organisms to modern humans, highlighting how our ancient genetic heritage influences current well-being.

One of the book's strengths is its focus on practical applications. By examining sleep, nutrition, work, rest, and our relationship with nature through an evolutionary lens, the authors offer actionable advice to realign these aspects of our lives with our genetic predispositions. This approach not only educates readers about the science of evolution but also provides tangible strategies to enhance their quality of life.

The writing is clear and engaging, making complex scientific concepts understandable without oversimplifying them. The authors succeed in honoring Charles Darwin's legacy by making his theories relevant to modern health and lifestyle issues. This balance of scientific rigor and accessibility is commendable and enhances the book's appeal to a wide audience.

While the book excels in connecting evolutionary science to practical advice, it occasionally glosses over the more intricate details of evolutionary theory that might interest a more scientifically inclined audience. Additionally, some readers might find the transition from scientific theory to practical application somewhat abrupt, wishing for a more seamless integration of the two.