Teenagers: A Natural History [Paperback]

David Bainbridge (Author), Gordon Neufeld (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2009

Teenagers reimagines the way people think about adolescents. No longer society's scourge and scapegoat, the teenager emerges from David Bainbridge's fascinating study as an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon that evokes reverence and wonder. Bainbridge, a veterinarian and anatomist, suggests that the second decade is the most important in the human lifecycle. In lively prose, he explains the science behind the changes that occur both on the surface of the teenage body and deep within the teenage brain, from lanky limbs and bad skin to falling in love, sleeping till noon, and the irresistible allure of sex, drugs, and rock‘n’roll. Observed through a scientific lens, these bizarre biological transformations and behavioral anomalies snap into focus, as not only a beautifully choreographed sequence of steps on the path to adulthood, but also as a key evolutionary factor in the success of the species.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A completely fresh take on adolescence with great potential for newspaper family pages, radio and TV interviews and festival/ bookshop appearances. 'Fresh and engaging' Sunday Telegraph 'At a time when youth culture is feared and demonised, here is a welcome antidote. A highly readable account and a thought-provoking thesis.' New Scientist 'Teenagers is an entertaining book full of quotA--able Did you know ... ?A" facts.' New Statesman 'The tone in Teenagers is chatty and energetic and the chances are you will find something really useful here' Guardian --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

DAVID BAINBRIDGE was trained in veterinary surgery and zoology at Cambridge University, where he now teaches Clinical Veterinary Anatomy. He is the author of three previous books: on pregnancy, on the biology of sex and sexuality, and on the brain. www.davidbainbridge.org --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Greystone Books (July 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553654374
• ISBN-13: 978-1553654377
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Examination of Adolescence, January 21, 2010

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RJM402 (Elmira, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Teenagers: A Natural History (Paperback)

David Bainbridge has written a very readable and informative text on that time period known as adolescence. As a veterinarian, scientist, and human being - he gives a clear and sensible viewpoint of why adolescents are - well - adolescents.
The writing does get quite technical, but Bainbridge seems to understand when his readers are baffled and gives clear explanations so that we continue to follow his theme.
He divides the book into five areas of study about teenagers - all of which focus on the whys and hows of the human condition. I have found this an excellent text for background information for teaching education grad students why adolescents should be tolerated. Bainbridge helps us to understand the motivations of the average teenager and gives an evolutionary basis for some of the things many adults consider to be just adolescent angst.
What's refreshing is that he does not come down positively on the causes of teenager behavior - but offers a variety of reasons emphasizing those which are more likely to be true. He makes no assumptions or declarations without giving us specific background research and knowledge.
An excellent book recommended for anyone in the field of education who deals with teenagers, and for parents who want to know how their teen works.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Freakonomics of Evolutionary Biology, July 17, 2010

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Amy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teenagers: A Natural History (Paperback)

I found Bainbridge's book on teenagers to be a fun and funny read on the social, cultural, and biological uses for the teenager. While the book itself is a little jumpy, as it's designed to give you the "grand tour" rather than explain the science in rigorous detail, there's a very comprehensive list of articles in the back for anybody who wants to do more digging.

Weaknesses? Too much about evolutionary theories, not enough consideration of how scientific functions have changed with respect to historical and sociological, and even methodological contexts. Some argue that the "teenager," as a social concept, didn't really come into play until the 20th century, along with the development of public high schools. This development, along with developments in the academic fields of psychology, evolution, etc. seem crucial in our understanding of "teenagers" and the paradigms that guide contemporary scientific inquiry.