Becoming Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness - Softcover

Tattersall, Ian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198504721 ISBN 13: 9780198504726

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1999

Synopsis

One of the traits that distinguishes us from our nearest ancestors is our curiosity about the origins of our species. In this text, Ian Tattersall discusses human uniqueness, investigating the origins of those characteristics and processes that so distinguish human beings, such as creativity, language, and consciousness. Travelling in France to see 30,000-year-old cave paintings, in Africa to see where our earliest ancestors left their bones, and in remote forests to spy on our closest relatives, the great apes, Tattersall uncovers what it is that makes us really different and what the future might hold for our species.

About this title

Review

Monogamy. Bipedalism. Tools. Language. Intelligence. Why on earth did we develop all those tricks? Though it's trendy to underplay the differences between humans and other species, most of us just can't help noticing our often-striking peculiarities and wondering how they arose. Palaeontologist Ian Tattersall's story of human origins is as compelling as a well- designed museum exhibit--no surprise, as he is Curator of Anthropology for the American Museum of Natural History. His prose, while not flashy, is satisfyingly clear and unapologetically fascinated with its topic. Covering genetics, evolutionary theory, primate anatomy and archaeology, Becoming Human explains how and why our ancestors adapted to their surroundings to produce such clever, talented, immodest progeny. If you find it preposterous that a dumb, skinny ape can go from foraging for fruit and fleeing from lions to splitting the atom and solving Rubik's cube in just five million years, this book might change your mind. --Rob Lightner

Review

"Tattersall's most recent contribution is the most concise, most readable, and most thoughtful treatment available on the subject of human evolution. This is a must-read for everyone intrigued by their origins and place in nature." -- Donald Johanson, Professor of Anthropology, Arizona State University

"The best book on human evolution I've ever read." -- Niles Eldredge, Curator, Department of Invertebrates, American Museum of Natural History

"the most concise, most readable, and most thoughtful treatment available on the subject...a must-read" -- Donald Johnson, Professor of Anthropology, Arizona State University

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198504721
• ISBN 13: 9780198504726
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 270