The Complete World of Human Evolution

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Human domination of our earth is now so complete that it is easy to forget how recently our role in the history of our planet began: the earliest apes evolved around 20 million years ago, yet homo sapiens has existed for a mere 160,000 years. In the intervening period, dozens of species of early ape and human have lived and died out, leaving behind the fossilized remains that have helped to build up the detailed picture of our evolution revealed in this book. It explores every aspect of the study of ape and human evolution in three accessible sections, lavishly illustrated throughout with photographs, diagrams, timelines and specially commissioned drawings.

The book includes new descriptions of the famous 'Ardi' skeleton (Ardipithecus ramidus; information on the newly discovered species Australopithecus sediba; fresh work on the dwarf-human remains from Indonesia; new DNA research showing that modern humans living outside Africa have traces of Neanderthal genetic heritage; new discoveries from a Siberian cave suggesting another, as yet unnamed human species lived alongside Neanderthals and modern humans.

This compelling and authoritative account is essential reading for anyone interested in, or studying, the story of human origins.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Although the title of this book suggests that it is about human evolution, it is really a bit of a misnomer. In fact, Stringer and Andrews (both, Natural History Museum, London, UK) present a nice introductory discussion that encompasses the much broader picture of primate evolution in general--surveying some 30 million years of primate evolution and 5 million years of human evolution in the process. In this regard, the authors emphasize the progressive changes that have occurred in the anatomical, behavioral, and cultural development of modern humans, as well as in the evolutionary relatedness of humans and our nearest living relatives, the great apes. This new edition (1st ed., CH, Sep'05, 43-0409) presents the most up-to-date views on humanity's ancestral lineage. In addition, the book briefly considers the many long-standing controversies that remain sources of contentious debate among today's paleoanthropologists. The well-written book is largely accessible to general interest readers. The authors discuss select topics in short, two-to-four-page chapters; hence, only the most basic information is provided. The volume is nicely illustrated with a good selection of black-and-white and full-color photographs and drawings. Overall, a useful supplementary resource for undergraduate students taking introductory courses in anthropology and/or evolution. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers. D. A. Brass independent scholar