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Title: The Neandertal Enigma : Solving the Mystery of Modern Human Origins by James Shreeve ISBN: 0-688-09407-4 Publisher: Harpercollins Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.92 (13 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Good book on current theory of human evolution
Comment: I enjoyed this book and found it well worth the read. I especially enjoyed learning how the theory of human evolution in itself has evolved. I can recall reading books as a kid on this topic which showed the state of human evolution in the 1960s. Much has changed.
The DNA and fossil record point to multiple branches in our "family tree". This has lead to the the author speculating on the existence of multiple human species at various times.
The book seems to focus on the homo hablis and homo erectus part of the family tree. The cement is the Neandertal. If I got it correct, Neandertal's evolved out of homo erectus. But later, another species evolved and slowly replaced the Neandertal's.
Despite being a well writen story about the current state of human evolution, the story of the Neandertal is both interesting and tragic. It ends with them disappearing about 28K years ago, attempting to emulate our direct ancestors.
The DNA sections of this book are interesting and well written. Additionally, the interactions and ego collisions of leading scientists in the field is an interesting side bar. Our knowledge of human evolution hinges on their hard work and skeptical nature.
Rating: 5
Summary: Science writing at its best
Comment: I started this book with no interest in human origins whatsoever, and finished it with a keen interest in the field. This is due to the skill with which Shreeve presents the vast and confusing field of paleoanthropology.
What sets this book apart from others in the field is that Shreeve focuses on modern-day humans--the scientists involved in these debates--and lets us discover the ancient world through their eyes. It's easier to relate to the confusion, jealousy and occasional triumphs felt by these scientists than to a bunch of dusty, silent skeletons. The book doubles as both a great overview of paleoanthropology as well as a primer on how scientists really act. These are not cold, detached people in white coats--they really care about what they're doing, and really take it personally.
This is the best science writing I've read in many years.
Rating: 5
Summary: Not just about Neandertals
Comment: The best thing about this book is that it is not just about Neandertals or Human origins. It covers enough from peripheries of science and the humanities as well as detailed natural history to make it accessible and interesting to anyone who has the slightest interest in this confusing subject.
Though Shreve identifies the complex issues allowing us to doubt everything, the book is far from confusing and there is an enormous amount of travel and biographical notes of the people he has met that Shreve has marshalled in. By all accounts this was an expensive and time consuming book to put together and almost no stone has been left unturned.
I think the fascination with this topic is because it asks the big question - What makes us human? Fortunately, though many answers are offered, Shreve takes care not to make any dogmatic assertion and provides a balanced overview of all the ideas, key workers and key debates.
As a student, I liked the way he discussed the basics of the biological species concept showing how difficult separating species can be at times, especially if using fossils. He also shows us how lots of ideas can be manufactured only to be holed by later workers or evidence.
Most of the book is very fluid. My only criticism is the lack of more illustrations of neandertals - perhaps in colour and a lack of any detail on the classic illustration showing Ramapithecus leading to Cromagnon which has been shown so many times, though this famous picture is discussed.
I think this book shows what science is not. It is not about a solution to the problem that you can believe and cling to. Rather, it is a provisional statement of current understanding and if it seems to explain things, all the better (speaking in the context of human origins).
So many people and ideas are mentioned that this is true journalism, no holes barred, sharp, comical, witty and above all accessible.
I thouroughly recommend it to anyone.
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Title: In Search of the Neanderthals: Solving the Puzzle of Human Origins by Christopher Stringer, Clive Gamble ISBN: 0500278075 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: 01 April, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Lost Civilizations of the Stone Age by Richard Rudgley ISBN: 0684862700 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 25 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Lucy's Child: The Discovery of a Human Ancestor by Donald Johanson, James Shreeve ISBN: 0380712342 Publisher: Quill Pub. Date: 01 September, 1990 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: The Dawn of Human Culture by Richard G. Klein ISBN: 0471252522 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 29 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: The Man in the Ice: The Discovery of a 5,000-Year-Old Body Reveals the Secrets of the Stone Age by Konrad Spindler ISBN: 0517799693 Publisher: Harmony Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1995 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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