In this dynamic account, award-winning science writer Ann Gibbons chronicles an extraordinary quest to answer the most primal of questions: When a...
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reviews
Dec 06, 2009
Charles
rated it: 
According to a Gallup poll taken in 2004, 45 percent of Americans believe that "God created human beings pretty much in their present form about 10,000 years ago." More than 50 years after the Scopes trial, and 135 years after Darwin published "The Descent of Man," lots of people still find it hard to believe in human evolution.
But though the fuss over "intelligent design" and other anti-evolutionary arguments has made a lot of headlines lately, it barel More...
But though the fuss over "intelligent design" and other anti-evolutionary arguments has made a lot of headlines lately, it barel More...
Nov 29, 2011
Frank
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"A wonderful, balanced, and accurate account of the search for the oldest human ancestors...Gibbons provides a window into the house of horrors that can be human origins research"<i/> That's the cover review from Science<i/>, which also happens to be her main employer.
A fun, quick overview of the "battles" to find early ancestors. But is it really "Balanced"? Not exactly - she seems to get a little humid in the undies when writing about Richa More...
A fun, quick overview of the "battles" to find early ancestors. But is it really "Balanced"? Not exactly - she seems to get a little humid in the undies when writing about Richa More...
Jun 06, 2011
Steve
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The book itself, what Ann Gibbons wrote, I recommend highly, and give that 4 stars. However, I did not like the reader for the audible.com version much. I did like one line that she read, but on the whole, her delivery was far, far too 'cheerful' for my taste. I am not saying that the book should have been read with a dolorous inflection. But it needed a book reader with an delivery more in keeping with a non-fiction book with a fair degree of controversy and human frailty in it. In only on
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May 14, 2011
Lara
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While tracing the history of important fossil finds in paleoanthropology, the author also goes into the personalities of the scientists themselves. Geez, and I thought astronomers had some bad blood... The book overall was really good, and I might have to pick up a paper copy of it. The narration style of the audiobook was actually quite annoying at times and almost to the point of distracting. But other than that, it was a very enjoyable listen.
Mar 21, 2010
Carol
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This book is a fascinating look into the world of modern Archaeology. The author gives a good summary of recent finds and the ages/characteristics of each, as well as a window on the situation of competition and rivalry among archaeologists.
After reading this overview, it is possible to read further on each find - I am eager to read _Lucy's Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins_ by Dr. Donald Johanson, which is on our New Nonfiction bookshelf at the library.
After reading this overview, it is possible to read further on each find - I am eager to read _Lucy's Legacy: The Quest for Human Origins_ by Dr. Donald Johanson, which is on our New Nonfiction bookshelf at the library.
Aug 25, 2011
Zazzu
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I like history, archaeology, and lots of other old stuff, so this was pretty much up my alley. With this book, I think a person without much knowledge about early humans might be kind of lost, especially if you listened to it like I did. However, I felt this book was fascinating and well written--a nice adventure through the branches of the tree of early man.
Jan 01, 2011
Babak
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One would not expect that someone could write a thriller about boring scientists. I enjoyed this book a lot. Not only because of its documentary thriller style but also because I learned tremendously about where I come from.
Dec 02, 2011
May
rated it:
Reads like a special feature in a magazine like the Economist, but given Gibbons's background, that shouldn't be a surprise.
It's not for you if you are after something substantial, but it serves well enough as an introduction to the subject material.
It's not for you if you are after something substantial, but it serves well enough as an introduction to the subject material.
Dec 12, 2008
Pat
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I need to actually get this book and read it. I thought it was fascinating, and the tension among the scientists was interesting. But I think I would benefit from actually seeing the photos of the various fossils. The audiobook was good, though.
Nov 25, 2008
i learn that there are many ways that they use to be...example like monkeys
Apr 13, 2009
Brandi Rae
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This was really interesting, although a bit of a dry read compared to some other books on the same subject.
Jan 22, 2011
Millie
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For an assigned "school book", I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this. The childish antics of the paleoanthropologists kept me interested, and I learned a lot about the history of human ancestors at the same time. Would definitely recommend!
Sep 17, 2009
Steven
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A book about the personalities and politics of early-human fossil hunters. Sound boring? It is. Thought it would teach me more about the fossils that have been found. It didn't teach me more. The "Smithsonian" book was much better.
Oct 11, 2007
Danielle
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So if you're an anthropology major, you should definately read it. There is a lot of interesting information on the people who essentially shaped the field for the last 100 years. It's kind of scary, but good to know ahead of time.
Jan 13, 2008
Rebecca
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An excellent journalistic account. Both engaging as a human story and informative enough to be a reference book on the shelves of the paleoanthro nerds among us.
Feb 06, 2010
James
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An excellent read. A good intro to the subject of paleoanthropology. The politics and the finds are combined to read like a good novel.
Feb 06, 2010
Brad
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This book was really fun. Who could have suspected the politics at play in the race to find the earliest hominid?
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