A Grown-up Guide to Oceans Audible Original

by Ben Garrod

How did we get from single celled organisms to the incredibly diverse ocean ecosystem we have today?

After two billion years of painfully slow evolutionary change what happened to scramble the system and allow the earth to get messy with life? The answer again lies in the ocean. Ben finds out how changing conditions in the ocean allowed animals to evolve from their single celled origins to the huge diversity we see today, and meets some of the first weird and wonderful animals to roam the ocean bottom in Evolutionary Explosions.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Animals, History, Biology

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Grown-up Guide to Oceans Audible Original
by Professor Ben Garrod
This covers lots of basics of the oceans in six easy pieces! Six interesting sections about 30 minutes long started about how life started in the ocean and how climate change and pollution in the ocean in the last lesson. Most adults know these things but it is great to hear it spelled out in an easy, interesting way.

[Ellie Cripps · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting, if quite brief, look in to various aspects of the oceans. Starting with pre complex species development and exploring subjects from sea species intelligence to climate change it was definitely informative. However, as with many of the similar free books on the Audible platform, there was a little more filler than I would have wanted from such a short book. Not that the filler/ chatty sections were particularly objectionable, but seeing as it's only free because I already pay my audible subscription I wouldn't have minded a little more information. All the same, the information that was there was interesting and engaging, mostly good trivia for a dinner party or something.

I have very mixed feelings about the range of free audiobooks available on Audible, as sometimes they resemble more of a podcast while others clearly could have been full book releases but have been divided up to make them more episodic. I don't object to the podcast versions, but I do think that making them a short series in order to release the whole thing at once can affect how broad of a scope they take.
I wouldn't necessarily consider them full books worth putting on my Goodreads, but I think other people might appreciate ratings for them, so I'll keep going all the same.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Podcast - A really interesting look through the history of evolution in the oceans. Easily accessible and Ben comes across really clear with helpful summaries throughout. Only complaint would be the humour was a little juvenile.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative podcast! Just like the grown ups guide to dinosaurs, i found my 22 year old self, immersed into the ocean! I do hope for more of these guides, maybe on space, or bacteria or climate change. Anything really would be fascinating

[Rob Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Ben Garrod carefully explains the science of the sea. He covers a broad range of topics:
From the possible origins of life,
the official definition of a fish,
the development of mammals, and
how massive geothermal vents helped support early lifeforms

To name but a few. He goes through all these in an informative and amiable way. Of interest to anyone who has ever dipped their toes in the sea. Then thought it wonder what’s going on out there! I sincerely hope Prof Ben will continue with the series. Heartily recommended for anyone curious about science.

[Judy Phin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this Audible, just like the Grown-up Guide to Dinosaurs, so much more to learn, such complex life that we have yet to explore/ understand in the ocean, I find myself constantly googling things discussed just to learn more. Really does spark the curiosity in an easy to understand, easy to follow way. I would definitely recommend for the curious mind!

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a five star listen in the sense of the content in this series but I felt at times it was simply too much information being fired at me at once, hence the downgrade to four stars. If you have Audible though, this is included so no need to use a credit and it is a really fascinating and enjoyable way to whittle away three hours of time.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you look at all the members that live in the ocean, you never know there history

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting bite size pieces of fascinating information all about our oceans. I picked this up as a time filler and have been pleasantly surprised by the content. Really worth the listening time.

[Sharmila Chakravorty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’m in love with prof ben now! Yay

[Bells · Rating 2 out of 5]

How do you make the ocean so boring

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars - It was really good

Professor Ben Garrod returns to discuss the evolution of the ocean and how it leads to life. With six episodes, Garrod takes you through an oceanic journey from the beginning of life to present day.

This was a good follow up to A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs considering dinosaurs started in the water. I enjoyed this dive into the history and science of evolution. It was slightly technical at parts but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of learning about the ocean's evolution.

One of my favorite parts of Garrod’s audiobooks is that he interviews various marine scientists with each chapter and you can hear their passion and enthusiasm for the topic. They really help bring this history to life, as well as what the future might bring. I found the part about the cuttlefish experiment very interesting and love that we are learning about current experiments being done to marine life.

Overall, this was a great audiobook and a great general overview of the evolutionary process of the ocean.

You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.

[Alexandria (DaysPass) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going into this audiobook I was a little on edge about the inevitable focus on climate change and how humans have negatively impacted the world. While I can understand the importance of this warning, I really felt Garrod missed the mark on explaining how to avoid it in A Grown Up Guide to Dinosaurs. He went a little more in depth on how we can help the oceans in this series but I still felt with a whole issue surrounding human impact, he could have focussed on preventative measures a bit more. Despite this I did enjoy the series.

There were definitely some ups and downs through the series. Some of the downs included the dramatic music during the last segment which was just so unnecessary and some of the facts Garrod focussed on being ones I could've caught onto quickly while brushing right passed some stuff that I could've done with a bit more explanation on. However, some of my favourite parts were the explanation of the oceans' beginning, sharks and cuttlefish.

[Liz Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned an awful lot about the oceans from listening to this podcast - a fact that highlighted to me how little is widely known about these vast and mysterious environments. From ocean vents being the likely birthplace of life on earth, to why they are salty, plus the development of the vast diversity of oceanic species we see today, the insights and explanations shared were nothing short of revelatory, as well as deeply concerning for their future preservation. Ben Garrod has a natural, easy manner which is easy to engage with and makes even complex scientific theories easy to understand. I would thoroughly recommend listening to this series to be entertained, informed and motivated.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Audible Original podcast, this takes us from the land and into the ocean, from its very beginning to modern threats. The presenter narrated in a clear manner, and you can really tell their passion for the subject. As to be expected in these kind of audio shows, some of the episodes clicked more with me than others and I found the later episodes more engaging than the earlier ones which dealt with the start of evolution. Overall, an interesting listen that covered a broad range of ocean-related topics.

[Sociableforbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and engaging. I originally picked to listen as background noise but I found myself stopping what I'm doing to really sit and listen. I'm not exactly the most scientifically driven reader but I felt that even with basic knowledge and a love for the Oceans you can follow along. I loved the narration style and editing, making me feel as though I was listening to a full documentary series with its interviews and use of background sounds.
Highly recommend for those who loved watching Blue planet and want something to listen to.

[Liam Halford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative! Quite cool to learn about all sorts of things from the definition of a fish to things and presence of massive geothermal vents which they believe to be like the site in which life would have first arisen to things how increasing levels of CO2 are devestating our oceans.

Not quite as cool as say for example "the hidden life of Trees" but pretty darn good and fairly quick to get through

[Saravanan Mani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best shows on Audible. I am curious about science and try to keep myself informed about big ideas as a lay person. This really enriched my understanding by adding some current and recent research and findings to established knowledge. I love this show and I hope Prof Ben Garrod will continue with the series. What's next? Hopefully something like the deserts or mountains?

[Kenny Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyous.
I imagine it would be a marine biologists wet (get it?) dream.
Should be called Grown-ups guide to oceanic evolution but still fantastic.
So, jealous of the places and things he saw in this. Should be a TV show.

[Tenzin Namgyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between constantly googling for things mentioned in the book and reading it, this is an informative book on oceanography. This is my first book from the Grown-up Guide series and I’m already looking forward to the next books. Would recommend for light reading to science enthusiast!!

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was adequate, I suppose. Not quite as interesting as I hoped it would be though - similar to the other podcast about dinosaurs. I also found some of the speakers kind of annoying, but that's probably just me.

[Clemma Waddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so interesting and so much fun, but like the audiobook Grown Up Guide to Dinosaurs, you need to keep your concentration. I'm not a scientist, or a biologist, but I got to learn some cool things. There most certainly is a lost city...

[Clemma Waddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so interesting and so much fun, but like the audiobook Grown Up Guide to Dinosaurs, you need to keep your concentration. I'm not a scientist, or a biologist, but I got to learn some cool things. There most certainly is a lost city...

[Karis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great as an introduction to the subject, with a huge array of interesting facts. Not what I was expecting, but fascinating and well-presented nonetheless.

[Tyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was enjoyable to listen to and learn about. There was a lot of info to take in, so maybe I'll have to listen to it again.

[Nicholas Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to listen but still interesting dive into the ocean. Fun for all and would be very good for those just entering science.

[undertherowantree · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, though not what I had expected when I first started. Quite in depth and touching on topics I found a tad bit difficult to swallow.

[Gunjan Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6/5

[Alice Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting listen! Glad I tuned in! Great for a long walk or run!