Human Variation: Races, Types, and Ethnic Groups

by Stephen Molnar

Explores the current state of knowledge of the causes and origins of human diversity and criticizes the reliance on racial labels, showing how new data on genetic markers points to the weaknesses of "classic" race divisions. Subjects include the biological basis for human variation, hemoglobin variants and DNA markers, traits of simple and complex inheritance, and changing dimensions of the human species. This fourth edition is reorganized to incorporate new records of DNA polymorphisms and to place these data in a frame of reference that does not depend on race categories. Although explanations start with the basics and are sometimes lively and interesting, this important material has not been predigested for general readers, and requires some scientific sophistication. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Science

396 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

Reviews

[Melissa Kidd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book to read. I almost gave it a two star for that but the topics covered are interesting for me. It just forced you to concentrate very hard to understand what was being said half the time. Also, sa a textbook, it is overflowing with knowledge and information. Too much really to take in, in my opinion. It just dumps the information on you without any ease or transitions. Very dry.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

A politically charged book with racist implications against certain nations the Zionist sponsors of the book are at odds with. The IQ test report for instance was frudulent.

[Rachel Loyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book fights the gene centric world view by explaining the reality of human diversity. Molnar challenges some of the biggest "genetic" factors that separate the human population (race, intelligence, disease). If you want to understand the difference between what society says about Genes and human variation and the reality of human diversity, read this book.
This book is FANTASTIC! I think it should be incorporated into every biology or anthropology program. Its familiar to think that Genes make you who you are, but there is so much more going on.

[Billy]

An in-depth exploration of genetics and the bases of human diversity... i.e. Eugenics ; )