Looks at one newly described gene from each of the twenty-three human chromosomes and explains how each one contributes to our uniqueness as a species.

From evolutionary biologist Rowan Hooper, an awe-inspiring look into the extremes of human ability—and what they tell us about our own potential—“an intriguing…look at some of the things that make us human—and more” (Kirkus Reviews). In 1997, an endurance runner named Yiannis Kouros ran 188 miles in twenty-four hours. Akira Haraguchi can recite pi to the 100,000th decimal point. John Nunn was accepted to Oxford University at age fifteen. After a horrific attack by her estranged husband, Carmen Tarleton was left with burns to more than eighty percent of her body. After a three-month coma, multiple skin grafts, and successful face transplant, Tarleton is now a motivational speaker. What does it feel like to be exceptional? And what does it take to get there? Why can some people achieve greatness when others can’t, no matter how hard they try? Just how much potential does our species have? Evolutionary biologist Rowan Hooper has the answers. In Superhuman he takes us on a breathtaking tour of the peaks of human achievement that shows us what it feels like to be extraordinary—and what it takes to get there. Drawing on interviews with these “superhumans” and those who have studied them, Hooper assesses the science and genetics of peak potential. His case studies are as inspirational as they are varied, highlighting feats of endurance, strength, intelligence, and memory. Superhuman is “terrifically entertaining. Hooper is that precious thing; an easy, fluent, and funny scientist. The message from this upbeat, clever, feel good book is that we all have greater capacity than we realize. Spectacularly enjoyable” (The London Times), this is a fascinating, eye-opening, and inspiring celebration for anyone who ever felt that they might be able to do something extraordinary in life, for those who simply want to succeed, and for anyone interested in the sublime possibilities of humankind.

A noted geneticist and author of The Science of Desire offers a provocative argument that humans are genetically predisposed toward religious faith, explaining why spiritual belief provides an evolutionary advantage and revealing, through an analysis of the DNA makeup of people of various ages and backgrounds, how to identify a so-called God gene. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.

A geneticist and author of Endless Forms Most Beautiful discusses the role of DNA in the evolution of life on Earth, explaining how an analysis of DNA reveals a complete record of the events that have shaped each species and how it provides evidence of the validity of the theory of evolution. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.

Covers the most colorful period in the history of DNA, from the discovery of

The best-selling authors of Cosmos investigate the origins of human life on Earth, reconstructing the links in the evolutionary chain from the primordial soup to early hominid ancestors. 100,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.

The author issues a warning about the dangers and limitations of technology, delving into the latest research in genetic engineering, robotics, and nanotechnology to map a future where humans will be made rather than born.

The author describes her discovery, thanks to advanced genetic testing, that she possessed a mutation that predisposed her to ovarian and breast cancer, and her wrenching struggle over what to do with this information, drawing on contributions from medical researchers, religious thinkers, and historians to examine how genetic data is shaping the decisions we make and our personal sense of identity.

The editor of Wired.com reveals how a new generation of athletes, coaches and scientists are changing understandings about the boundaries of human physical achievements, covering such topics as genetics, fatigue and nutrition. 40,000 first printing.

Introducing Genetics takes readers on a journey through this new science to the discovery of DNA and the heart of the human gene map. In everyday life, many of us increasingly have to make moral decisions where genetics plays a part. This book gives us the information to do so.