
audiobook
FOREWORD
CHAPTER I PRIMITIVE ANCESTORS ORIGIN AND EARLY DAYS OF THE BRAIN
CHAPTER II ANCESTORS BEFORE THE APES THE BRAIN FROM FISH TO MAN
CHAPTER III MAN IN THE MAKING HUMAN PROGRESS FROM PREHISTORIC TO MODERN TIMES
CHAPTER IV EDEN OR EVOLUTION GENESIS AND THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
CHAPTER V BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY BEGINNINGS OF MAN INFLUENCES OF FOREST AND PLAIN ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER VI DAWN OF THE PRIMATE BRAIN THE LOWEST OF THE MONKEY KIND
CHAPTER VII ON THE WAY UPWARD BRAINS OF THE OLD WORLD MONKEYS
CHAPTER VIII MANLIKE TENDENCIES BRAINS OF GIBBON AND ORANG-OUTANG
CHAPTER IX HUMAN IN MINIATURE THE BRAIN OF THE CHIMPANZEE
The opening frames humanity’s rise as a story of an extraordinary brain, setting the stage for a sweeping exploration of how our most vital organ shaped civilization. It invites listeners to travel from ancient debates over creation to the modern study of neurons, presenting science not as a cold tower but as a humble teacher reaching out to a curious public.
Through vivid anecdotes and clear explanations, the author demystifies the brain’s evolution, its role in language, tools, and social bonds, while acknowledging the lingering tensions between faith and reason. The narrative balances respect for past beliefs with a passionate call for wider understanding, urging everyone to grasp the discoveries that illuminate why we think, feel, and innovate.
In the first act, the book follows a dedicated researcher who, after years of quiet lab work, decides to share his findings in plain language. Listeners will hear how this “temple of thought” was built, gaining insight into the early milestones that set the brain apart as humanity’s master of destiny.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (527K characters)
Release date
2026-05-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1875–1938
A pioneering American neurologist who wrote for general readers as well as specialists, he turned the story of the brain into an ambitious, accessible narrative. His best-known popular work, The Master of Destiny, reflects a lifelong fascination with how the nervous system shaped human life and progress.
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