What are you working on? Kindle Scribe
EUR 15.05 with 48 percent savings
List Price: EUR 29.08
No Import Charges & EUR 8.60 Shipping to Netherlands Details

Shipping & Fee Details

Price EUR 15.05
AmazonGlobal Shipping EUR 8.60
Estimated Import Charges EUR 0.00
Total EUR 23.66

EUR 8.60 delivery Wednesday, May 13
Or fastest delivery Monday, May 11
In Stock
EUR EUR 15.05 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
EUR EUR 15.05
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Shipper / Seller
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Shipper / Seller
Amazon.com
Returns
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
Quick refund
Usually issued within 24 hours. See exceptions
FREE return
At least one free return option available.
Convenient dropoff
At any of our 50,000 US locations.
See return policy
Gift options
Available at checkout
Available at checkout This item is a gift. Change
At checkout, you can add a custom message, a gift receipt for easy returns and have the item gift-wrapped
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

  • Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History
  • Oren Harman on the Meanings of MetamorphosisHachette
  • VIDEO

Follow the author

Get new release updates & improved recommendations
Oren Harman
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History Hardcover – October 14, 2025

by Oren Harman (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars (13)
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"EUR 15.05","priceAmount":15.05,"currencySymbol":"EUR","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"05","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":true,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"lTV1x%2BVzaAcGDV6mSdQxAhSuZeFNq8CkK5CeYrvcC%2FL8s2zF4QlKgbqECvEhd8wHqvbLq7Kgwnun9Na6WnjEamEa0%2FVaDATSj2AJ5lqPqzNsu2ZQjZBUJIYn2j43DMxLlOrE38f89wgQDxR2wQg4kQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A search for the meaning of one of nature's greatest riddles: why do so many creatures transform?

“Beautiful... Entertaining... Inspiring.”—Nature

“A meditation on transformation . . . Warm [and] empathetic . . . wonderful.”—Science

“Startling . . . astounding . . . Animated by wonder.”—MIT's Undark

“Steeped in wonderment. . . hauntingly timely.”—Washington Independent Review of Books


“How many creatures walking on this earth / Have their first being in another form?” the Roman poet Ovid asked two thousand years ago. He could not have known the full extent of the truth: today, biologists estimate a stunning three-quarters of all animal species on Earth undergo some form of metamorphosis. 
 
But why do tadpoles transform into frogs, caterpillars into butterflies, elvers into eels, immortal jellyfish from sea sprigs to medusae and back again, growing younger and younger in frigid ocean depths? Why must creatures go through massive destruction and remodeling to become who they are? Tracing a path from Aristotle to Darwin to cutting-edge science today, Harman explores that central mystery.    
 
Metamorphosis, however, isn’t just a biological puzzle: it takes us to the very heart of questions of being and identity, whatever kind of change we humans may undergo. Metamorphosis is a new classic of natural history: a book that, by unveiling a mystery of nature, causes us to relearn ourselves.   
 
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Basic Books
  4. Publication date
    October 14, 2025
  5. Dimensions
    6.35 x 1.31 x 9.65 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1541607600
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1541607606
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

This item: Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History
EUR14.62
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 14
Sold by FromMASS and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
The Oldest Rocks on Earth: A Search for the Origins of Our World
EUR25.31
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start over
Previous page
  1. Book cover Traversal
    Traversal
    Just released
    Hardcover
    EUR18.64
    EUR 8.83 delivery Wed, May 13
  2. Book cover The Ocean's Menagerie: How Earth's Strangest Creatures Reshape the Rules of Life
    The Ocean's Menagerie: How Earth's Strangest Creatures Reshape the Rules of Life
    Hardcover
    EUR16.68
    EUR 8.40 delivery Wed, May 13
  3. Book cover Earth and Life: A Four Billion Year Conversation
    Earth and Life: A Four Billion Year Conversation#1 New ReleaseGeology
    Hardcover
    EUR21.65
    EUR 8.60 delivery Wed, May 13
  4. Book cover Kant: A Revolution in Thinking
    Kant: A Revolution in Thinking
    Hardcover
    EUR22.98
    EUR 8.83 delivery Wed, May 13
  5. Book cover Capitalism: A Global History
    Capitalism: A Global History
    Hardcover
    EUR24.39
    EUR 9.84 delivery Wed, May 13
  6. Book cover Crick: A Mind in Motion
    Crick: A Mind in Motion
    Hardcover
    EUR19.18
    EUR 8.83 delivery Fri, May 15
  9. Book cover The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else's Game
    The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else's Game
    Hardcover
    EUR23.51
    EUR 8.43 delivery Wed, May 13
  10. Book cover Strata: Stories from Deep Time
    Strata: Stories from Deep Time
    Hardcover
    EUR17.94
    EUR 8.40 delivery Wed, May 13
  11. Book cover Insectopolis: A Natural History
    Insectopolis: A Natural History
    Hardcover
    EUR22.20
    EUR 9.18 delivery Wed, May 13
  12. Book cover The Four Heavens: A New History of the Ancient Maya (Unearthing the Past)
    The Four Heavens: A New History of the Ancient Maya (Unearthing the Past)
    Just released
    Hardcover
    EUR26.53
    EUR 8.83 delivery Wed, May 13
  13. Book cover Collisions: A Physicist's Journey from Hiroshima to the Death of the Dinosaurs
    Collisions: A Physicist's Journey from Hiroshima to the Death of the Dinosaurs
    Hardcover
    EUR15.56
    EUR 8.60 delivery May 11 - 20
  15. Book cover The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why It Matters
    The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why It Matters
    Hardcover
    EUR16.41
    EUR 7.72 delivery Wed, May 13
  17. Book cover Fateful Hours: The Collapse of the Weimar Republic
    Fateful Hours: The Collapse of the Weimar Republic
    Hardcover
    EUR23.42
    EUR 8.60 delivery Wed, May 13
  18. Book cover The History of Money: A Story of Humanity
    The History of Money: A Story of Humanity#1 Best SellerMoney & Monetary Policy
    Hardcover
    EUR20.84
    EUR 8.60 delivery Wed, May 13
  19. Book cover The Oldest Rocks on Earth: A Search for the Origins of Our World
    The Oldest Rocks on Earth: A Search for the Origins of Our World
    Paperback
    EUR25.31
    EUR 8.40 delivery Wed, May 13
  22. Book cover Captive Gods: Religion and the Rise of Social Science (The Terry Lectures Series)
    Captive Gods: Religion and the Rise of Social Science (The Terry Lectures Series)
    Hardcover
    EUR19.07
    EUR 8.60 delivery Wed, May 13
  24. Book cover The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s
    The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s
    Hardcover
    EUR19.52
    EUR 9.18 delivery Wed, May 13
  25. Book cover In the Circle of Ancient Trees: Our Oldest Trees and the Stories They Tell
    In the Circle of Ancient Trees: Our Oldest Trees and the Stories They Tell
    Hardcover
    EUR22.45
    EUR 8.83 delivery Wed, May 13
  26. Book cover Mexico: A 500-Year History
    Mexico: A 500-Year History
    Hardcover
    EUR20.15
    EUR 9.10 delivery Wed, May 13
  27. Book cover Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know
    Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know
    Hardcover
    EUR12.70
    EUR 7.76 delivery Wed, May 13
  28. Book cover Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe
    Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe
    Hardcover
    EUR14.46
    EUR 8.83 delivery Wed, May 13
  29. Book cover On Pedantry: A Cultural History of the Know-it-All
    On Pedantry: A Cultural History of the Know-it-All
    Hardcover
    EUR23.82
    EUR 8.43 delivery Wed, May 13
Next page
Loading...

From the Publisher

A search for the meaning of one of nature's greatest riddles: Why do so many creatures transform?

Blurb from Peter Godfrey-Smith for METAMORPHOSIS

Blurb from Lauren Redniss for METAMORPHOSIS

Blurb from Sean B. Carroll for METAMORPHOSIS

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A startling exploration of the meaning of transformation. Metamorphosis is steeped in wonderment.. and hauntingly timely. Harman, a renowned historian of science and author of Evolutions and The Price of Altruism, is adept at describing the interplay of facts and ideas that have shaped the dynamic field of evolutionary biology. This probing book is for anyone who appreciates the splendor of the scientific enterprise and especially for anyone who doesn’t.”―Washington Review of Books

“An ode to change. Warm, empathetic... wonderful. In Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History, historian of science Oren Harman offers meditation on transformation writ large. His focus is not only on the remarkable transformations seen in nature—as when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, a tadpole a frog, or a polyp a jellyfish—but also on transformations we humans experience over the course of our lives as we encounter new people, ideas, and experiences.”―Science

“Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History is more than a book about insects and the evolution of science. It is a meditation on change itself - biological, cultural, and personal. By tracing 2,400 years of thought, Harman shows that metamorphosis fascinates us not only because it is scientifically puzzling, but also because it reflects something universal: our desire to understand who we are as we move through life's stages. It is a book that reminds us that transformation is both a natural process and a part of human existence.”―American Scientist

“Harman illuminates metamorphosis as both a biological process and a powerful metaphor for change. And, importantly, all this is conveyed in a clear, engaging prose, making Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History both intellectually rigorous and highly accessible.”―Current Biology

“Beautiful. Entertaining. Inspiring. A sweeping exploration of the changes in form that animals experience throughout their lives. It's treatment of the big themes of biology is perfect for the layperson and for young scientists.”―Nature

"Oren Harman traces the genesis of developmental zoology from ancient times to our current knowledge of the evolutionary origins and molecular basis of metamorphosis, and the abiding questions it raises about human identity."―Natural History Magazine

 “What's astounding about Metamorphosis is the audacity of its scope: it's hunger to understand not just the transitions in plain sight, but those that built beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to burst forth... In some of the book’s most mind-bending sections, Harman describes examples of living transformation that overturn all our preconceived ideas...Startling... Animated by wonder.”―MIT's Undark

"An absorbing and beautifully written exploration of biological transformation and generation, winding through the startling history of this field, accompanied by an array of fascinating characters, and with a moving personal dimension."―Peter Godfrey-Smith, author of Other Minds

"Oren Harman’s Metamorphosis is a soulful, genre-defying inquiry into the nature of transformation. Harman interweaves a history of scientific discovery with philosophy and memoir, introducing readers to astonishing characters and discoveries that bring us from the depths of the ocean to the furthest reaches of outer space. Metamorphosis asks difficult questions with great tenderness and deep humanity. It is a book full of wonder and revelation."―Lauren Redniss, author of Radioactive

"A masterful tale of the long quest to understand one of the most wondrous and enigmatic phenomena in the animal world. Fueled by Oren Harman’s boundless curiosity and rich storytelling, Metamorphosis roams the globe to meet fascinating creatures and equally colorful naturalists determined to penetrate their secrets. A thoroughly enjoyable and illuminating journey."―Sean B. Carroll, author of The Serengeti Rules

"Inspired by history, language, and biology, Oren Harman explores a wonderland of animal lifecycles to tell a truly fascinating tale of transformations in body and identity. His story culminates in the growth of a human child and asks how is it possible to remain ourselves while changing all the time? A book to treasure."―Janet Browne, Harvard University, author of Charles Darwin: A Biography

"Stranger than the strangest imaginings of ancient mythology or science fiction are the metamorphoses undergone by the most unprepossessing of organisms: the immortal medusa, the starfish that is simultaneously child and adult, the axolotl in which the parent is the child to its offspring. Oren Harman weaves together science, history, philosophy, and the musings of a parent-to-be in this beautiful book about the twists and turns in the plot of life."―Lorraine Daston, author of Objectivity

About the Author

Oren Harman is Senior Research Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and teaches at the Graduate Program in Science Technology and Society at Bar-Ilan University. His books include Evolutions and The Price of Altruism, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. He lives in Berlin and Jerusalem.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 14, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541607600
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541607606
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.35 x 1.31 x 9.65 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #184,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars (13)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Oren Harman

Oren Harman

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Related books

Page 1 of 1Start Over
Sponsored
Previous page
  1. Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    The Nature of Change: Lessons of Determination, Resilience, and Hope from the Outside World
    The Nature of Change: Lessons of Determination, Resilience, and Hope from the Outside World
    4.54.5 out of 5 stars51
    EUR15.40 List:EUR17.10
  2. Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    Fearlessly Use AI in the Classroom: Easy-to-use Prompts, Demystify AI With a Stress-Free Guide to Essential Strategies and Step-by-Step Techniques for Transformational Classroom Instruction
    Fearlessly Use AI in the Classroom: Easy-to-use Prompts, Demystify AI With a Stress-Free Guide to Essential Strategies and Step-by-Step Techniques for Transformational Classroom Instruction
    4.84.8 out of 5 stars100
    EUR13.68
  3. Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    The Metamorphosis, A Hunger Artist, In the Penal Colony, and Other Stories
    The Metamorphosis, A Hunger Artist, In the Penal Colony, and Other Stories
    4.04.0 out of 5 stars14
    EUR11.93
  4. Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    Quantum Physics and Higher Consciousness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Reality and Awakening Your Inner Power
    Quantum Physics and Higher Consciousness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Reality and Awakening Your Inner Power
    4.54.5 out of 5 stars86
    EUR12.84
  5. Shop the Store on Amazon ›
    Affirmation Journal
    Affirmation Journal
    4.34.3 out of 5 stars37
    EUR6.83
Next page

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Daniel Syrkin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2026
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This is such an insightful interesting and brilliant look at science scientists and Mother Nature.
    Helpful
     Report
  • solaris
    5.0 out of 5 stars A new classic, a must read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    A new classic for nature and science lovers, but also for anyone who cares about the meaning of change and transformation. beautifully written. Exquisitely conceived. One of the richest stories i've ever read in the history of science, as well as in natural history.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Thomas Z.
    1.0 out of 5 stars Contains questionable language
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2026
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    This book came highly recommended. Therefore, I was unprepared to find ethnically stereotyping language inside, which I will not repeat here. If it is a quote from a source, it should have been cited as such. Either way, no need to use derogatory language, even if it was commonly used at the time.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Moshe Bar
    5.0 out of 5 stars A rare intellectual and poetic gem
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2025
    Format: Hardcover
    What a treat! I got this book following the glowing reviews in Science and Nature and i could not put it down. The topic of change is all around us, yet we hardly notice. Harman points out the omnipresence beauty and function of transformation in nature, art and the human soul. And he does so with the authority of a brilliant and seasoned historian, and the eloquence of a gentle composer. Thank you for this sure-to-become a classic, i know what i am giving as Christmas presents this year
    Helpful
     Report
  • danna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Different. Thought provoking. Magical.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2025
    Format: Hardcover
    i loved this book. im not a scientist, and started reading slowly, unsure what i would get out of it, but I kept going and soon tumbled into a world where i was prodded to explore the question of who i am.... who we are, as humans...and how we can and do/or cant and dont, change...It's beautifully written, and original and mind expanding. I highly recommend.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • yael
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, wildly informative and lyrical
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2025
    Format: Hardcover
    Metamorphosis is a masterful blend of science, history, and philosophy — written with elegance and soul. The book explores one of nature’s greatest mysteries and connects it to the human experience of change and identity. I found it thought-provoking, wildly informative and lyrical, written with great elegance intelligence and beauty — a must-read for anyone curious about life and nature.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Justin Koplin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and mesmerizing
    Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2025
    Format: Hardcover
    Superb. Insightful and intelligent. Highly recommend.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars very good book
    Reviewed in India on January 26, 2026
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    good book for children to learn about the life history
    Report
  • Learning Development Institute
    5.0 out of 5 stars A true gem. Highly recommended reading.
    Reviewed in Germany on November 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is a gem. Oren Harman's writing, exploring the multiple dimensions of the concept 'metamorphosis' throughout natural and human history, is spellbinding. This is a book for our time. Awareness of, and respect for, the transformative processes that preceded us must guide us as we undergo the acutely needed transformations that enable us to learn to live in the Anthropocene.
    Customer image
    Learning Development Institute
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A true gem. Highly recommended reading.

    Reviewed in Germany on November 24, 2025
    This is a gem. Oren Harman's writing, exploring the multiple dimensions of the concept 'metamorphosis' throughout natural and human history, is spellbinding. This is a book for our time. Awareness of, and respect for, the transformative processes that preceded us must guide us as we undergo the acutely needed transformations that enable us to learn to live in the Anthropocene.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report
See more reviews