Why Fish Don't Exist Why Fish Don't Exist

Why Fish Don't Exist

A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life

    • 4.2 • 176 Ratings
    • $13.99
    • $13.99

Publisher Description

A Best Book of 2020: The Washington Post * NPR * Chicago Tribune * Smithsonian

A “remarkable” (Los Angeles Times), “seductive” (The Wall Street Journal) debut from the new cohost of Radiolab, Why Fish Don’t Exist is a dark and astonishing tale of love, chaos, scientific obsession, and—possibly—even murder.​

“At one point, Miller dives into the ocean into a school of fish…comes up for air, and realizes she’s in love. That’s how I felt: Her book took me to strange depths I never imagined, and I was smitten.” The New York Times Book Review

David Starr Jordan was a taxonomist, a man possessed with bringing order to the natural world. In time, he would be credited with discovering nearly a fifth of the fish known to humans in his day. But the more of the hidden blueprint of life he uncovered, the harder the universe seemed to try to thwart him. His specimen collections were demolished by lightning, by fire, and eventually by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake—which sent more than a thousand discoveries, housed in fragile glass jars, plummeting to the floor. In an instant, his life’s work was shattered.

Many might have given up, given in to despair. But Jordan? He surveyed the wreckage at his feet, found the first fish that he recognized, and confidently began to rebuild his collection. And this time, he introduced one clever innovation that he believed would at last protect his work against the chaos of the world.

When NPR reporter Lulu Miller first heard this anecdote in passing, she took Jordan for a fool—a cautionary tale in hubris, or denial. But as her own life slowly unraveled, she began to wonder about him. Perhaps instead he was a model for how to go on when all seemed lost. What she would unearth about his life would transform her understanding of history, morality, and the world beneath her feet.

Part biography, part memoir, part scientific adventure, Why Fish Don’t Exist is a wondrous fable about how to persevere in a world where chaos will always prevail.

GENRE
Biographies & Memoirs
RELEASED
2020
April 14
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
240
Pages
PUBLISHER
Simon & Schuster
SELLER
Simon & Schuster Digital Sales LLC
SIZE
27.6
MB

Customer Reviews

jHa2412 ,

It’s amazing story.

I’ve read second time. It make me rethink about my belief which was always considered as sure and ever-lasting.

Skylar1ross1 ,

Life changing!

Lulu Miller is an absolute genius of a writer and a genuine ray of sunshine. Her bubbly spirit and curiosity for life shines through in every chapter.

“Why Fish Don’t Exist” was life changing. Through it, I’ve fallen in love with the inevitable chaos of life and have found a new appreciation for humanity.

Eloquently written and a true masterpiece. Not so patiently awaiting her next novel!

Chriscrutcher ,

Why Fish Don’t Exist

This book answers questions I didn’t know to ask. A spectacular surprise!

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I pesci non esistono I pesci non esistono
2020
Los peces no existen Los peces no existen
2022
Trucky Roads Trucky Roads
2024
Warum es keine Fische gibt Warum es keine Fische gibt
2023

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