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Understanding Human Evolution (Understanding Life) New Edition

by Ian Tattersall (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 128 ratings
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Human life. how we came to be, is one of the greatest scientific and philosophical questions of our time. This compact and accessible book presents a modern view of human evolution. Written by a leading authority, it lucidly and engagingly explains not only the evolutionary process, but the technologies currently used to unravel the evolutionary past and emergence of Homo sapiens. By separating the history of palaeoanthropology from current interpretation of the human fossil record, it lays numerous misconceptions to rest. demonstrates that human evolution has been far from the linear struggle from primitiveness to perfection that we've been led to believe. It also presents a coherent scenario for how Homo sapiens contrived to cross a formidable cognitive barrier to become an extraordinary and unprecedented thinking creature. Elegantly illustrated, Understanding Human Evolution is for anyone interested in the complex and tangled story of how we came to be.
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  1. ISBN-10
    1009101994
  2. ISBN-13
    978-1009101998
  3. Edition
    New
  4. Publisher
    Cambridge University Press
  5. Publication date
    July 28, 2022
  6. Part of series
    Understanding Life
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    5 x 0.47 x 7 inches
  9. Print length
    208 pages
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

'For years, Ian Tattersall has been the go-to source for the latest facts and interpretations of human evolution. Here, in his clear, pithy style, he brings us up to date on the latest discoveries, weaving them skillfully into a coherent outline of hominid history extending back millions of years. It’s all here-from the latest on DNA and radiometric dating of fossils, to the nature and origin of the still-mysterious self-consciousness that is unique to modern humans. A terrific resource and wonderful read!' Niles Eldredge, Curator Emeritus in the Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, USA

'Ian Tattersall provides in this short and engaging book the story of how humans evolved, and, as importantly, how we have come to learn about our evolutionary history and the nature of being human through great discoveries and great scientific debates.' Robert Foley, Leverhulme Professor of Human Evolution, University of Cambridge, UK

'Understanding Human Evolution provides a sweeping overview of the field of human evolution, giving equal attention to the history of the discipline as well as current thoughts and ideas about our attainment of the milestones of human evolution-upright posture and bipedal locomotion, the evolution of tool use, the expansion of the brain and human cognition, the development of language, and the spread of humans out of Africa around the globe. All of this is presented in a concise and accessible package by one of the most well-known popularizers of the field today. This is an excellent resource for anyone looking for an introduction to the fossil evidence for human evolution, as well as those who want to catch up on the current state of knowledge in this fast-moving discipline.' Leslie C. Aiello, FBA, Professor Emerita, University College London, UK

'An enjoyable, highly informative, and scholarly read. Tattersall is at his best here. Engaging the reader with his inimitable style, he interprets and explains the convoluted evidence for how we became human. Written largely for the non-specialist, there is much here that will inform and even stimulate professional paleoanthropologists.' Donald Johanson, Founding Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University, USA

‘… a useful exposition of the empirical validity and richness of the evolutionary evidence for the emergence of humans in Africa and their dispersion around the globe. Nonspecialists will find this treatment especially valuable due to the careful attention to detail and avoidance of technical terms. I recommend it to both specialists and nonspecialists.’ Jo Ann Fitzgerald, Quarterly Review of Biology

‘This is an excellent overview of human evolution. Ian Tattersall has been at the forefront of paleoanthropological work on human evolution for 40 years and this book provides a lucid, compelling, and brisk tour of the fruits of this work.’ R. Paul Thompson, Quarterly Review of Biology

Book Description

An authoritative account of human evolution, explaining the nature of the evidence and providing a new interpretation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press; New edition (July 28, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1009101994
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1009101998
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.47 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 128 ratings

About the author

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Ian Tattersall

Ian Tattersall

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Ian Tattersall, a Curator Emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, is a paleoanthropologist and primate biologist of long experience. He has conducted fieldwork in places as diverse as Yemen, Vietnam, and Madagascar; and, besides being a prolific contributor to the technical literature, he has curated exhibits and written widely for the public on topics ranging from the natural history of wine, beer and spirits to the evolution of humankind and the origin of our unique human consciousness. His critically acclaimed popular books have been translated into a dozen languages, and include most recently "Understanding Race" and "Distilled: A Natural History of Spirits" (both with his colleague Rob De Salle), and "Understanding Human Evolution."

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4.6 out of 5 stars
128 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides an insightful and comprehensive overview of human evolution. They appreciate the clear, concise writing style and find it readable and easy to understand. The book is described as entertaining and informative, making it a nice introduction for beginners.

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12 customers mention "Insight"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into human evolution. They find it a nice introduction to the topic, providing a clear and up-to-date treatment of a complex subject. The book provides a comprehensive and concise presentation that provides food for thought.

"...His coverage of the history of paleontology is excellent and provides the reader with insights into both the various personalities involved as well..." Read more

"Really well written and organized. Explain some concepts very well that I've read other books that didn't do as good a job" Read more

"Nice book for an introduction into the topic. If you have already read lot or more in depth books, it will appear some topics cover the surface...." Read more

"Concise, very up-to-date information in a readable easy-to-understand format. Highly recommended." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written with up-to-date information in a clear and easy-to-understand format. They say it's great for beginners and provides sophisticated yet simple information.

"Really well written and organized. Explain some concepts very well that I've read other books that didn't do as good a job" Read more

"...But, a readable book and great for somebody wanting the basics." Read more

"Concise, very up-to-date information in a readable easy-to-understand format. Highly recommended." Read more

"...It is only 182 pages, but it is the most comprehensive and concise presentation that I have found." Read more

3 customers mention "Entertainment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's entertainment value. They find it informative and well-written, with an entertaining style.

"...This book is simply fascinating...." Read more

"...I love Dr. Tattersall’s entertaining style and the way he emphasized the plethora of historical cousins and the reluctance of many professionals to..." Read more

"Well written. Interesting read..." Read more

Book is great; shipping not so much
4 out of 5 stars
Book is great; shipping not so much
This book arrived smashed between two heavy objects in a large box. It is almost folded in half. Not worth the hassle of returning, but I’m disappointed.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • John B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, honest, and insightful
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It would be easy to write a relatively dull book about human evolution. This book is simply fascinating. The author readily admits where the fossil record is lacking and acknowledges the questions that yet to have good answers. His coverage of the history of paleontology is excellent and provides the reader with insights into both the various personalities involved as well as the sources for current controversy in the field. His coverage of the Neanderthals, their fall, and the concurrent rise of Homo Sapiens is top notch. His included commentary about who “we” are in the truly grand scale of things provides food for deep thought. I’d enthusiastically recommend this book for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject matter.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • EricSuris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written. Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
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    Really well written and organized. Explain some concepts very well that I've read other books that didn't do as good a job
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  • Gregg Wilson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro Book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Nice book for an introduction into the topic. If you have already read lot or more in depth books, it will appear some topics cover the surface. But, a readable book and great for somebody wanting the basics.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • C. Daniel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on human evolution
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Concise, very up-to-date information in a readable easy-to-understand format. Highly recommended.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Marvin Fischer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Up to date, entertaining, and informative - perfect for the amateur interested in human evolution
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed reading Understanding Human Evolution and learned a lot from it. I especially appreciated the information about finds of the last 10 to 15 year, recent DNA studies, and the relationships between Homo Sapiens Neanderthals and Denisovans. I love Dr. Tattersall’s entertaining style and the way he emphasized the plethora of historical cousins and the reluctance of many professionals to go beyond Australopiths and Homo. His interpretation of the emergence of Homo Sapiens and the emphasis on symbolic thought was fascinating. And the epilogue "Summary of Common Misunderstandings” was great!
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Squirrel
    5.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive and concise
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2023
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    I am a retired genetics professor, and for years I have enjoyed the exciting and rapidly expanding field of human evolution. There have been many research articles and books to read, but it has been difficult to get an overall picture of this field. This is the best book I have read. It is only 182 pages, but it is the most comprehensive and concise presentation that I have found.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Ben-Dor
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wise knowledgeable summary of human evolution
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
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    Tattersall has a vast and deep knowledge of human evolution and the smarts to pull many insights. Just remember that many of these insights are inevitably hypothetical.
    One person found this helpful
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  • M William Wykoff
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not much here to understand the the genetics of the brain and language evolution.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The author provides a useful history of the study of stones and bones over the 20th century, and accepts the radically new scientific methods of DNA paleoanthropology, but has very little to say about the new imaging studies of the brain and communicative vocal auditory behavior in primates. There is no comprehensive bibliography to the book which makes it difficult to know what is cited and what is not. Are two seminal works on human evolution by Steven Mithen (Singing Neanderthals) and Terrance Deacon (Symbolic Species) discussed in any detail?
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Denis Dennehy
    5.0 out of 5 stars An easy and thorough read for the professional and amateur.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2023
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    Covers a complex area in a thoughtful and informative way. Plenty of detail which focuses on the excitement of the subject.
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  • John Miller
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not the easiest of reads
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Full of up to date information, but perhaps too much for a book of this size.
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