Extraordinary Insects cover art

Extraordinary Insects

Weird. Wonderful. Indispensable. The ones who run our world.

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Extraordinary Insects

By: Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, Lucy Moffatt - translator
Narrated by: Kristin Milward
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About this listen

*The Sunday Times Bestseller*

Extraordinary Insects is a joy’ The Times

A Sunday Times Nature Book of the Year 2019

A journey into the weird, wonderful and truly astonishing lives of the small but mighty creatures who keep the world turning.

Out of sight, underfoot, unseen beyond fleeting scuttles or darting flights, insects occupy a hidden world, yet are essential to sustaining life on earth.

Insects influence our ecosystem like a ripple effect on water. They arrived when life first moved to dry land, they preceded – and survived – the dinosaurs, they outnumber the grains of sand on all the world’s beaches, and they will be here long after us.

Working quietly but tirelessly, they give us food, uphold our ecosystems, can heal our wounds and even digest plastic. They could also provide us with new solutions to the antibiotics crisis, assist in disaster zones and inspire airforce engineers with their flying techniques.

But their private lives are also full of fun, intrigue and wonder –musical mating rituals; house-hunting for armies of beetle babies; metamorphosing into new characters; throwing parties in fermenting sap; cultivating fungi for food; farming smaller species for honey dew and always ensuring that what is dead is decomposed, ready to become life once again.

Here, we will discover life and death, drama and dreams, all on a millimetric scale. Like it or not, Earth is the planet of insects, and this is their extraordinary story.

Animals Biological Sciences Biology Ecology Ecosystems & Habitats Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science World Ecosystem Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

Extraordinary Insects is a joy’ The Times

‘Erudite, enlightening and entertaining (…) a timely reminder of the fragility of our ecosystem and the vital role that insects play in the future of the planet and humanity’s existence’ Countryman

Extraordinary Insects is packed with wondrous information. There are more than 200 million insects on Earth for every human being and anyone wanting to learn more about them will find this book fascinating’ Daily Express

‘A fascinating new book [that] tells the remarkable story of insects living right under our noses’ The Sun

‘The enthusiasm of Professor Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson for insects is infectious. She communicates her extensive scientific knowledge in elegant, readable prose. A brilliant, informative read, full of fascinating facts about the species that help keep the world on an even keel.’ Sunday Express

‘[Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson] guides us round a huge cabinet of curiosities, and is the best kind of teacher. The stories she tells are so strange and absorbing that we don’t notice that we’re being systematically educated. [She] champions the insects primarily to champion us. She has a serious purpose, and succeeds magnificently.’ Evening Standard

‘A riotous party of colour, noise and humour, from the scatological to the sublime.’ Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

‘Sverdrup-Thygeson, a Norwegian professor of life sciences, writes with such infectious and well-informed enthusiasm that it’s impossible not to develop a new-found respect for insects.’ Reader’s Digest

‘This excellent book by a Norwegian entomologist is filled with such infectious enthusiasm for the insect world…It’s a book that will change the way you see the world. A genuine must-read.’ WI Life Magazine

‘A refreshing and surprising insight into some of the most underappreciated critters.’ Magic Radio Book Club

All stars
Most relevant
This book is gorgeous and absolutely fascinating - never thought I'd find myself saying that about a book on insects, but thanks to Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, I have such a newfound respect for bugs. I'm very much enjoying the gentle narrationby Kristin Milward, this book feels lik the perfect antidote to some of the heavy going crime fiction I've been reading lately. I'm learning so much about the incredibly vital role that the trillions of insects around us constantly play in actually helping our planet, it's people, animals and plants to even exist and it's helping me feel grounded and more connected to nature. It's very humbling to learn that without insects, including the ones that seem to be the most hated by us, the human race would cease to exist. There are honestly so many utterly fascinating facts crammed into this book (did you know that insects were around to see both the beginning and the end of dinosaurs? Or that Meal Worms can actually digest plastic? I did not!), it's very accessible in a way that absolutely anybody is able to read and enjoy without feeling overwhelmed by scientific words and I know I will be listening to it many times again. I also plan to purchase the hardback version, because I really want to see Carim Nahaboo's beautiful illustrations that for some reason did not come with this audio book. Harper Collins, please update the Audible book to include these?

Utterly fascinating, brilliant narration

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An amusing and educational book. I learned loads about insects, behaviour, reproduction, eating habits... The writing style is simple, calm, humourous, and generous. Although I loved the first part, sometime I had trouble to keep focus on the second part. Recommended.

An amusing and educational book. I learned loads a

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Great book about insects for beginners as well as more knowledgeable folk. Narrator has very soft and pleasant voice.

Great book for everyone

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I loved this book; as a zoologist, I'm passionate about nature but this book definitely makes you take another glance down every now and again as you're walking (and not to keep looking at a phone screen) to investigate what you may or may not be treading on! I'd love to learn more!

Looking down more often...

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The author makes the insect world sound close and wonderful: Using words and analogies we understand, she uses humour to simplify their weird behaviours. A truly remarkable book like no other even if you don’t particularly like insects!

Great Story telling

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