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Adam's Navel by Michael Sims
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Adam's Navel

A Natural and Cultural History of the Human Form

A Natural and Cultural History of the Human Form

By Michael Sims

By Michael Sims

By Michael Sims

By Michael Sims

Best Seller
Paperback $24.00

Jun 29, 2004 | ISBN 9780142004647

Ebook $6.99

Jun 29, 2004 | ISBN 9781440677953

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    Adam's Navel by Michael Sims
    Paperback $24.00
    Jun 29, 2004 | ISBN 9780142004647

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (1) +
    • $24.00

      Jun 29, 2004 | ISBN 9780142004647

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Jun 29, 2004 | ISBN 9781440677953

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Ebook:

    About Adam’s Navel

    In this amusing and brilliantly conceived book, Michael Sims introduces you to your body. Moving from head to toe, Sims blends cultural history with evolutionary theory to produce a wonderfully original narrative in which he analyzes the visible parts of the body. In this fascinating brew of science and storytelling, readers encounter not only accessible explanations of the mechanics of their anatomy, but also the layers of mythology, religious lore, history, Darwinian theory, and popular culture that have helped to shape our understanding of any given body part. A titillating and unique book, Adam’s Navel is learned and entertaining, a marvelous lens through which to study the form we all inhabit—but may not really understand.

    About Adam’s Navel

    In this amusing and brilliantly conceived book, Michael Sims introduces you to your body. Moving from head to toe, Sims blends cultural history with evolutionary theory to produce a wonderfully original narrative in which he analyzes the visible parts of the body. In this fascinating brew of science and storytelling, readers encounter not only accessible explanations of the mechanics of their anatomy, but also the layers of mythology, religious lore, history, Darwinian theory, and popular culture that have helped to shape our understanding of any given body part. A titillating and unique book, Adam’s Navel is learned and entertaining, a marvelous lens through which to study the form we all inhabit—but may not really understand.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

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    About Michael Sims

    Michael Sims is the author of Arthur and Sherlock, which was a finalist for the Edgar from the Mystery Writers of America, the Gold Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain, and numerous other awards; Adam’s Navel, which… More about Michael Sims

    About Michael Sims

    Michael Sims is the author of Arthur and Sherlock, which was a finalist for the Edgar from the Mystery Writers of America, the Gold Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of Great Britain, and numerous other awards; Adam’s Navel, which… More about Michael Sims

    Product Details

    Category: Science & Technology

    Paperback | $24.00
    Published by Penguin Books
    Jun 29, 2004 | 352 Pages | 5-1/16 x 7-3/4 | ISBN 9780142004647

    Category: Science & Technology

    Ebook | $6.99
    Published by Penguin Books
    Jun 29, 2004 | 352 Pages | ISBN 9781440677953

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    Praise

    “This body—and bawdy—Baedeker should inspire readers to do some navel-gazing of their own.” —Entertainment Weekly

    “A truly eclectic mix of cultural, scientific and literary perspectives on the bits and pieces that make up a human body.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune

    Table Of Contents

    Adam’s NavelIntroduction: The Form Complete
    Neanderthals Yawned · The Mystery of the Visible

    Part One: Headquarters

    1. The Not-Quite-Naked Ape
    The Hair of the Prophet · The Mark of the Beast · Burn It or Bury It · Samson’s Hair · A Metaphysical Operation · The Etiquette of Deciduousness

    2. Face-to-Face
    The Family Face · The Face on Mars

    3. The Vigilant Eye
    Flesh Becomes a Mirror · Supercilious · The Blink of an Eye · The Dreaming Eye · Close Your Eyes

    4. Houdini’s Wiggle
    The Ear of a Thousand Li · Darwin’s Points and Houdini’s Wiggle · Nor the Ear Filled with Hearing

    5. A Ridiculous Organ

    6. The Archaic Smile
    Louis Armstrong’s Lips · The Badge of a Harlot · A Kiss Is Just a Kiss · The Necessary and Ambivalent Tongue · Don’t Read My Lips

    Part Two: The Weight of the World

    7. Arms and the Man

    8. The Monkey’s Paw
    A Free Hand · Finger Math · Rule of Thumb · Our Natal Autograph · Tobin’s Palm · On the Other Hand · Playing Chess with Death

    9. Madonna del Latte
    Breasts and “the Breast” · Via Lactia · The She-Devil from Hooter City · Topless · The Pillow of Paradise Versus the Millstone of History

    10. Adam’s Navel
    Untying the Knot · A Brief History of Navel-Gazing

    Part Three: A Leg to Stand on

    11. Privy Members
    The Commotion · Vagina Dialogues · Leonardo’s Intelligent Organ · Boswell’s Johnson · The Senator’s Body Hair

    12. Our Steed the Leg
    Two Legs Good and Bad · The Scarecrow Learns to Dance · The Goddess with Beautiful Buttocks · Toes with Special Properties · Pedestrian Crossing

    Acknowledgments
    Selected Bibliography and Further Reading
    Index

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