Product Description

Based on a groundbreaking synthesis of recent scientific findings, an acclaimed New York Times science reporter tells a bold and provocative new story of the history of our ancient ancestors and the evolution of human nature

Just in the last three years a flood of new scientific findings-driven by revelations discovered in the human genome-has provided compelling new answers to many long-standing mysteries about our most ancient ancestors-the people who first evolved in Africa and then went on to colonize the whole world. Critically acclaimed New York Times science reporter Nicholas Wade weaves this host of news-making findings together for the first time into an intriguing new history of the human story before the dawn of civilization. Sure to stimulate lively controversy, he makes the case for novel arguments about many hotly debated issues such as the evolution of language and race and the genetic roots of human nature, and reveals that human evolution has continued even to today.

In wonderfully lively and lucid prose, Wade reveals the answers that researchers have ingeniously developed to so many puzzles: When did language emerge? When and why did we start to wear clothing? How did our ancestors break out of Africa and defeat the more physically powerful Neanderthals who stood in their way? Why did the different races evolve, and why did we come to speak so many different languages? When did we learn to live with animals and where and when did we domesticate man's first animal companions, dogs? How did human nature change during the thirty-five thousand years between the emergence of fully modern humans and the first settlements?

Wade takes readers to the forefront of research in a sweeping and engrossing narrative unlike any other, the first to reveal how genetic discoveries are helping to weave together the perspectives of archaeology, paleontology, anthropology, linguistics, and many other fields. This will be the most talked about science book of the season.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90391 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Scientists are using DNA analysis to understand our prehistory: the evolution of humans; their relation to the Neanderthals, who populated Europe and the Near East; and Homo erectus, who roamed the steppes of Asia. Most importantly, geneticists can trace the movements of a little band of human ancestors, numbering perhaps no more than 150, who crossed the Red Sea from east Africa about 50,000 years ago. Within a few thousand years, their descendents, Homo sapiens, became masters of all they surveyed, the other humanoid species having become extinct. According to New York Times science reporter Wade, this DNA analysis shows that evolution isn't restricted to the distant past: Iceland has been settled for only 1,000 years, but the inhabitants have already developed distinctive genetic traits. Wade expands his survey to cover the development of language and the domestication of man's best friend. And while "race" is often a dirty word in science, one of the book's best chapters shows how racial differences can be marked genetically and why this is important, not least for the treatment of diseases. This is highly recommended for readers interested in how DNA analysis is rewriting the history of mankind. Maps. (Apr. 24)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Genetics has been intruding on human origins research, long the domain of archaeology and paleoanthropology. Veteran science journalist Wade applies the insights of genetics to every intriguing question about the appearance and global dispersal of our species. The result is Wade's recounting of "a new narrative," which also has elements of a turf war between geneticists and their established colleagues. He efficiently explains how an evolutionary event (e.g., hairlessness) is recorded in DNA, and how rates of mutation can set boundary dates for it. For the story, Wade opens with a geneticist's estimate that modern (distinct from "archaic") Homo sapiens arose in northeast Africa 59,000 years ago, with a tiny population of only a few thousand, and was homogenous in appearance and language. Tracking the ensuing expansion and evolutionary pressures on humans, Wade covers the genetic evidence bearing on Neanderthals, race, language, social behaviors such as male-female pair bonding, and cultural practices such as religion. Wade presents the science skillfully, with detail and complexity and without compromising clarity. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Wade ... is a robust and refreshing critic of scientific political correctness. -- Richard Cohen, The Washington Post

Wade has delivered an impeccable...account...Bound to be the gold standard in the field for a very long time. -- Lionel Tiger, Charles Darwin Professor of Anthropology, Rutgers University

[Wade's] fascinating, surprisingly readable text takes readers on an excursion into arcane realms... -- Kirkus Reviews

Customer Reviews

Well-written, Infomative, and sometimes speculative
And what else could you expect from this type of work?

Anytime an author ventures beyond mere facts you will have two outcomes. One is that those who hold to an opposing view will disagree with the conclusions. For an example of this consider the Out-of-Africa view vs. the multiregionalist view. Yes, there are some controversial issues he discusses (such as the Ashkenazic Jews being genetically wired for higher intelligence and Greenburg's classification of languages), but he does the mention opposing viewpoints. The other outcome is that the writing will be smooth, integrated and pleasant to read.

The most enjoyable thing about the book is that the author attempts to integrate many different scientific disciplines. From linguistics, genetics, psychology, biology, history, sociology, anthropology, etc. - he really presents a holistic approach where these varied specialists can look beyond their areas of study and integrate the fruits of other scientists into finding their missing puzzle pieces. What also seems to come out of the book is the resistance by some scientists in recognizing the value of this approach.

If you are looking for a good read and have enjoyed any of Bryan Sykes' books or the book 'Deep Ancestry' then you will most likely find this a nice, easy read and very entertaining.

As with any book that assumes evolution is true and unassailable, I would issue that caveat to any creationist that may want to read. Hence the four stars.

Very Interesting Read.
A fascinating look into human evolution. He leaves out a lot of the human interest filler and chocks his book full of facts and theories.

Great Book
I recommend this book for any non-anthropologist that needs a good background in the beginnings of the human race.