Our Human Story

by Louise Humphrey, Chris Stringer

Our Human Story is a guide to our fossil relatives, from what may be the earliest hominins such as Sahelanthropus, dating back six to seven million years, through to our own species, Homo sapiens.

Over the past 25 years there has been an explosion of species’ names in the story of human evolution, due both to new discoveries and to a growing understanding of the diversity that existed in the past.

Drawing on this new information, as well as their own considerable expertise and practical experience, Louise Humphrey and Chris Stringer explain in clear and accessible language what each of the key species represents, and how it contributes to our knowledge of human evolution.

Genres: Science, Anthropology, History, Nonfiction, Biology, Prehistory, Evolution

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Henrik Haapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023-08-31
Author: Prof. Chris Stringer and Louise Humphrey, reprinted with updates 2019 and 2022.
Published in 2018.
Excellent overall introduction to human evolution.
A surprising fact: the last 10 000 years our brain size decreased.
Beautiful illustrations and photos, 160 pages.
London museum of natural history - great source.

[Klaas Bottelier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter, human evolution and what we know about the hominid fossils that have been found so far. It is full of useful illustrations, and it provides a nice overview of pre-historic hominid fossils of which there aren't that many if you look at it.

The book is a bit short and the writing a bit scientific but definitely interesting enough to make this a good read and to make me want to read more on the subject of human evolution.

[Marc Grabalosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

M'ha encantat aquest llibre del museu d'història natural de Londres. Fa una introducció molt interessant, amena i accessible a l’evolució humana i la paleoantropologia. El llibre repassa els diferents homínids, des dels més primitius passant pels australopitecs i acabant al gènere Homo, explicant com es van descobrir, com vivien i com es van expandir pel món. També aborda, entre altres, els mètodes de datació i les eines de la paleoecologia. Molt útil per entendre la nostra història evolutiva.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read and lavishly illustrated portrayal of the current state of paleoanthropology, with the emphasis on the archeological remnants of the various hominins that have evolved and gone extinct over the ages and what modern science can tell us about where and how they lived, and what tools, if any, they employed. There are useful digressions on how scientists date their finds, what the various paleo-ecologies must have been like, and how the many new species discovered in the last 30 years or so has altered our view of human ancestry and evolution. A very good introduction to the topic indeed.

[Senholto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Human Story is an excellent introduction to aspects of hominin evolution. As a student of Palaeoanthropology, I disagree with minor assumptions, suggestions or points made in the book, but these detract in no way from it. The book is less about nuance and more about the bigger picture.

This book would be a great first book for the potential student of human evolution. It gives one the necessary knowledge to get started.

[Bob Small · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry. On the radio I find Chris Stringer fascinating, but when I read his work I find it dosent flow: it is, however, clear and informative. Not a text book, but quite detailed. It is up to date and describes the state of our understanding of human evolution.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. The authors have done a fine job of condensing a very complex subject into such a compact book. The text is clear and well complimented by excellent maps, graphs and pictures.

[Hayley Dunning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and informative, with great images.

[Trenton Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-illustrated, succinct overview of the entirety of human evolution in just 150 pages. It is written with a lay audience in mind, so there's not anything here that's new to the specialist, but it is well-written and up-to-date. It can easily be read in a day (in terms of words, it's essay-length). There are amazing photos within, as well. Highly recommended for non-specialists who wish to catch up with what has happened in paleoanthropology over the last (extremely busy) decade.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book for class but I found it to be super interesting. I liked the insights into our human story and I also liked that they included multiple theories instead of just what the authors believe to be true. I also really enjoyed the pictures included because it gives a good sense about what each hominid looked like.

[MonkeyBusiness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a concise, current, and well illustrated overview of human evolution based on fossil evidence. The authors are careful to point out controversy and discrepancies. Easily understood by general audiences without being simplistic.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating analysis of the history of mankind. A little scientific in places, but well illustrated and explained.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent summary of hominin evolution.

[Mark Maultby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, accessible summary of up to date finds and controversies in paleoanthropology. Its standout feature is having colour photographs of fossils and their sites.