Before the Dawn

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

New York Times science reporter Wade has written a fascinating examination of the biological and sociocultural evolution of our ancestors that focuses on genetic change, social behavior, and symbolic language. He pays special attention to the emergence of our human species in Africa and its subsequent migrations to and dispersals in both Asia and Europe. Wade's analysis stresses the contributions of DNA research to understanding and appreciating human biosocial adaptations, especially the evolution of articulate speech. Of particular importance is his demonstration of the value of Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA inheritance for determining the history of human populations over the last five million years. Other topics he discusses range from racism and sedentism to warfare and corroborating evidence from genetics and archaeology for reconstructing our prehistoric past. With extensive notes and excellent illustrations, this is recommended for all large academic and public science collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/05.]-H. James Birx, SUNY at Geneseo (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

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) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CHOICE Review

New York Times reporter Wade discusses how information gained from the decoded human genome has been used to explain the emergence of human species, e.g., how humans lost most of their body hair and gained the power of speech. The study of the human genome has assisted anthropologists in discovering how Neanderthals became extinct. Wade discusses the migration and "metamorphosis" of human groups, furnishing a family tree of humans and other great apes based on the decoded part of mitochondrial DNA, and illustrating the continuity between the world of apes 5 million years ago and the human world evolving from it. Initially, human physical features emerged and then human behavior developed in the last ice age. The three principal social institutions of humans--warfare, religion, and trade--evolved 50,000 years ago, and early humans overcame their natural aggressiveness to live in settled communities. This fascinating and clearly written account of human evolution by a talented science writer will be valuable not only to professional biologists, naturalists, and anthropologists, but to all those interested in the fate of the human species. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above; general readers. J. S. Schwartz formerly, CUNY College of Staten Island

Booklist Review

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 2006 Booklist

Kirkus Book Review

New York Times science reporter Wade looks at how new knowledge derived from studying the human genome is changing the way we view our species' past and present. The recent deciphering of our genetic inheritance provides a valuable research tool for studying human prehistory, the long, murky millennia between the separation of humanity from its closest primate kin and the springing up of cities in Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago. When data gathered in disciplines such as archaeology, linguistics and anthropology is looked at in conjunction with the genetically recorded anatomical changes that occurred in response to altering circumstances encountered by early humans, a host of notions about prehistory come into clearer focus. Since virtually none of these notions is fully provable, however, the new genetics-based data has generated a slew of disagreements in fields already rife with contention. Wade seems to know all the arguments of virtually all the players: heavyweights such as Noam Chomsky, Edward O. Wilson and Jared Diamond, as well as a host of lesser-known specialists. His fascinating, surprisingly readable text takes readers on an excursion into arcane realms where academics generally carry on their food fights out of public view. The genetics-based evidence examined here touches on contemporary hot-button issues; some seem to indicate that human evolution fostered by natural selection continues today in response to social as well as environmental pressures. Wade offers views of inherited, race-based differences that are anathema to politically correct social scientists. Nor will intelligent-design proponents appreciate his obvious admiration for the wisdom and prescience of Charles Darwin and his belief that those who challenge Darwin's conclusions about species origins are believers of myths. A meaty, well-written, if occasionally overenthusiastic study, filled with speculation that will leave some uncomfortable and others angry. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.