Books Like A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

Yuval Noah Harari

Like Rutherford, Harari uses science to tell the long story of Homo sapiens, from early migrations to modern societies. Its broad sweep and accessible style will suit readers who enjoyed the big-picture view of how humans came to be.

Jared Diamond

Diamond asks why human societies developed so unevenly, drawing on geography, biology and history. Readers who liked how A Brief History links genes to migration and power will find the same cause-and-effect curiosity here.

Richard Dawkins

Dawkins traces human ancestry backwards through the tree of life, one meeting point at a time. It matches Rutherford's sense that every person carries a long chain of ancestry, told with vivid, storytelling energy.

Siddhartha Mukherjee

Mukherjee follows the idea of the gene from Mendel to modern genetic engineering, mixing science with personal and social history. Readers who enjoyed Rutherford's blend of lab science and human stories will find it equally engaging.

David Reich

Reich, a geneticist, explains what ancient DNA reveals about past migrations and mixing between populations. It goes directly to the questions Rutherford raises about what our genomes say about our history.

Walter Isaacson, Kathe Mazur

Isaacson profiles Jennifer Doudna and the discovery of CRISPR gene editing, explaining the science without jargon. Readers drawn to the ethics and possibilities of modern genetics in Rutherford's book will appreciate this.

Charles Darwin

Darwin's classic lays out the idea of natural selection that underpins everything Rutherford discusses about human genes. Reading the original gives readers the foundations behind the genetic story they enjoyed.

Elizabeth Kolbert, Marcel Blanc

Kolbert combines field reporting with science to explain how species, including humans, change and disappear over time. Readers who liked Rutherford's sense of deep history will find a similarly thoughtful look at life's past and future.

Matt Ridley

Ridley tours the human genome chromosome by chromosome, mixing scientific detail with anecdotes about history and disease. It offers the same pleasure of learning what each part of our DNA reveals about who we are.

Bill Bryson

Bryson turns complicated science into funny, curious stories about the universe, Earth and the people who studied them. Readers who enjoyed Rutherford's humour and approachable style will find a similarly entertaining guide.

Mary Roach, M Roach

Roach investigates the strange and surprising uses of human bodies after death, with wit and careful research. It suits readers who liked Rutherford's frank, playful look at the body and its history.

Ben Goldacre

Goldacre explains how scientific claims are made and how they are often misreported in the press. Readers who appreciated Rutherford's clear debunking of myths about genes and race will find a sharp, lively companion.