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Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid: The Fraught and Fascinating Biology of Climate Change Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 176 ratings

A beloved natural historian explores how climate change is driving evolution

In Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid, biologist Thor Hanson tells the remarkable story of how plants and animals are responding to climate change: adjusting, evolving, and sometimes dying out. Anole lizards have grown larger toe pads, to grip more tightly in frequent hurricanes. Warm waters cause the development of Humboldt squid to alter so dramatically that fishermen mistake them for different species. Brown pelicans move north, and long-spined sea urchins south, to find cooler homes. And when coral reefs sicken, they leave no territory worth fighting for, so aggressive butterfly fish transform instantly into pacifists.

A story of hope, resilience, and risk, Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid is natural history for listeners of Bernd Heinrich, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and David Haskell. It is also a reminder of how unpredictable climate change is as it interacts with the messy lattice of life.

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

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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 28 minutes
Author Thor Hanson
Narrator Stacy Carolan
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 28, 2021
Publisher Basic Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09FWS49G5
Best Sellers Rank #198,208 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#140 in Ecology (Audible Books & Originals)
#166 in Ecosystems & Habitats
#275 in Evolution (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
176 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative with a good balance of science and accessible explanations. They appreciate its well-researched approach that provides an important perspective on motion changes. The story is easy to follow, with an engaging narrative style that makes it easy to understand the author's journey and conversations.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

5 customers mention "Information quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They say it has a good balance of science and accessible explanations. The book provides an important aspect to climate change and how plants and animals adapt.

"This is a so informative, "can't put-it-down" book. Well written, and will no doubt be re-read." Read more

"...This book has just the right balance of exciting juicy science and accessible explanations all delivered with a warm caring tone that inspires trust..." Read more

"Thor Hanson's book gives great insights into how the natural world is dealing with climate change and the scientists that are trying to track these..." Read more

"Well written and very informative. Hopefully actions will be enacted soon to minimize anthropogenic climate change...." Read more

3 customers mention "Story quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's story quality. They find the storytelling style easy to follow and well-written.

"This is a so informative, "can't put-it-down" book. Well written, and will no doubt be re-read." Read more

"...His easy story telling style allows one to follow his journey and conversations with these researchers and apply it to things we see every day...." Read more

"Well written and very informative. Hopefully actions will be enacted soon to minimize anthropogenic climate change...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
    This is a so informative, "can't put-it-down" book. Well written, and will no doubt be re-read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2021
    I was up late last night reading Hurricane Lizards. Such great examples of the impact of climate change. This book has just the right balance of exciting juicy science and accessible explanations all delivered with a warm caring tone that inspires trust and takes us on a journey. Includes examples of climate change impact that I had not read about before. I love Thor Hanson's books so much that as each new title comes out, that book becomes my Christmas gift of the year. Everyone gets a copy from me and they are always a huge hit and start conversations that have gone on for years. It feels like everyone I know is talking about this book right now!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2023
    This was a gift for my wife and appears to be fine and arrived pristine.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2021
    Thor Hanson's book gives great insights into how the natural world is dealing with climate change and the scientists that are trying to track these changes around the world. His easy story telling style allows one to follow his journey and conversations with these researchers and apply it to things we see every day.

    I shared some of his information with a good friend and now will share the book after completing it.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021
    Well written and very informative. Hopefully actions will be enacted soon to minimize anthropogenic climate change. However, it's already happening and the consequences are being observed in nature. This is the first book I've encountered that addresses climate change issues from this perspective. A well researched endeavor that provides an important aspect to the changes in motion - highly recommended.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2022
    The author presents a lot of unusual and thought provoking information about climate change and how plants and animals adapt. I was surprised that it didn't leave me wanting to jump off a bridge, as so many t other climate change articles and news stories do have that affect.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2022
    If you've ever seen Thor's YouTube videos, his writing exudes the same enthusiasm and passion. However, this book contains a bit too much fluff. The interesting stuff can be condensed down into a 15 minute YouTube talk.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2021
    Thor Hanson illustrates basic survival strategies used by living things when their environment changes. In this case the changes are due to a warming world. He decided to use storytelling as his vehicle because we remember stories. The stories concentrate on what is happening or has happened recently. It explains the varieties and limits of adaptation occurring as the climate changes. I feel this book is a good introduction for those who find the subject interesting, but don't want heavy science or controversy. Hanson's style is also suited to younger readers, even some middle school students. Although it is easy reading and seems light on detail there is actually a lot of information about the science. There is welcome emphasis on the interconnectedness of life and where it exists. Adaptation is ongoing and includes all of us. It doesn't hurt to know some basics about it.
    A glossary, some interesting notes and a bibliography are included.
    I received a digital advanced readers copy of this book compliments of Perseus Books, Basic Books and NetGalley.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable overview of the effects of climage change on species distribution.
    Reviewed in Germany on July 12, 2024
    Despite the rather confused title, the book gives a brilliant overview of effects of climate change on different species that have already happened over the last 20 years.
  • patricio
    4.0 out of 5 stars El optimismo sobrebla capacidad de la vida de salir adelante a pesar del cambio climático
    Reviewed in Spain on April 23, 2022
    Que sin dejar de alertar sobre las nefastas consecuencias del cambio climático para la naturaleza y la vida, existe una luz de esperanza de que no todo está perdido aún cuando no seamos capaces de frenar o revertir el cambio climático