Authors Stein and Rowe continue to share their love of discovery with students in this balanced, objective introduction to physical anthropology that does not assume that students have any previous knowledge of the subject. Carefully streamlined, making it more accessible and affordable, this edition provides students with a pedagogical program designed to facilitate comprehension. Every concept is carefully explained and illustrated, guiding students step-by-step through difficult material. As always, the authors use the most current data to unravel the mystery of the evolution of humankind, and to examine the dynamic relationship between humans and their environment.
A bit old, I would recommend something newer to read since especially genetics have gone so much forward in such a short time. This book is also missing some more recent and important fossil findings. And some slightly out-of-date concepts that were not questioned because they were still considered relevant in 1996. Suitable for critical readers.
Otherwise okay-ish book if you need some basic knowledge about physical anthropology as a field. Quite America-centric. One hilariously patriotic info-box about inventions made in America (in relation to population IQ).
Looking for and older intro text but I'll settle for this one. Took my first Physical Anthropolgy course at Metro State in the fall of 1971. The teacher was a middle-aged, middle European gent with a pronounced accent. I wonder how he wound up teaching in Denver? From him I learned the correct pronunciation of Cro-Magnon(Croh Mahn-YONE/OWN, i.e. french). Date read is approximate.