Questions About Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, please sign up.

Answered Questions (3)

The book has the same name as classic book by a Ukrainian writer Mykhaylo Kotsyubynsky. There is also a film based on the book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadows_of_Forgotten_Ancestors I wonder if there is a connection?

Andrew Yes. He borrowed the title from the film because he found it highly evocative of a mood. What has happened in the past is important to us whether we r…moreYes. He borrowed the title from the film because he found it highly evocative of a mood. What has happened in the past is important to us whether we remember it or not. -- I saw the film once on the screen in the 1970s and was deeply impressed by it. (less)

flag

I've already seen Cosmos and read another books by Sagan. Will I learn a lot from this book or will it be, almost all, repetition?

Andrew Each of Carl Sagan's books covers mostly different ground, though he does explore the same themes sometimes.…moreEach of Carl Sagan's books covers mostly different ground, though he does explore the same themes sometimes.(less)

flag

On P54 the authors describe how, through artificial selection, humanity has developed different breeds of dogs (labrador retrievers, bloodhounds, and mastiffs are some of the examples) and vegetables (cauliflower, rutabaga, broccoli, etc). He then states"these vegetables, like the different breeds of dogs, remain infertile". Am I misreading this statement, or is it just plain false?