Monday, August 2, 2010

Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction [Paperback]

Rating: (5 reviews)
Author: Roger Lewin
ISBN : 9781405103787
Buy New from $47.74
The brief length and focused coverage of Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction have made this best-selling textbook the ideal complement to any biology or anthropology course in which human evolution is taught. The text places human evolution in the context of humans as animals, while also showing the physical context of human evolution, including climate change and the impact of extinctions. Chapter introductions, numerous drawings and photographs, and an essential glossary all add to the accessibility of this text.The fifth edition has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of the latest discoveries and perspectives, including:


· New early hominid fossils from Africa and Georgia, and their implications
· New archaeological evidence from Africa on the origin of modern humans
· Updated coverage of prehistoric art, including new sites
· New perspectives on molecular evidence and their implications for human population history.

 

An Instructor manual CD-ROM for this title is available. Please contact our Higher Education team at HigherEducation@wiley.com for more information.

  • Paperback: 284 pages
  • Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 5 edition (September 17, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1405103787
  • ISBN-13: 978-1405103787
  • Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.6 x 8.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction

Preface.

Part I: Human Evolution in Perspective:.

1. Our Place in Nature.

2. Human Evolution as Narrative.

3. Historical Views.

4. Modern Evolutionary Theory.

5. The Physical Context of Evolution.

6. Extinction and Patterns of Evolution.

Part II: Background to Human Evolution:.

7. Dating Methods.

8. Systematics: Morphological and Molecular.

9. Science of Burial.

10. Primate Heritage.

Part III: Humans as Animals:.

11. Bodies, Size, and Shape.

12. Bodies, Brains, and Energy.

13. Bodies, Behavior, and Social Structure.

14. Nonhuman Models of Early Hominins.

Part IV: Hominin Beginnings:.

15. Ape and Human Relations.

16. Origin of the Hominoidea.

17. Origin of Bipedalism.

18. Jaws and Teeth.

19. The Earliest Known Hominins.

Part V: The Hominin Adaptation:.

20. The Australopithecines.

21. Early Homo.

22. Hominin Relations.

23. Early Tool Technologies.

Part VI: Homo erectus: Biology and Behavior:.

24. The Changing Position of Homo erectus.

25. New TechnologiesUnit 26: Hunter or Scavenger.

Part VII: Origin of Modern Humans:.

27. The Neanderthals.

28. Anatomical Evidence.

29. Genetic Evidence.

30. Archeological Evidence.

Part VIII: The Human Milieu:.

31. Evolution of Brain, Intelligence, and Consciousness.

32. The Evolution of Language.

33. Art in Prehistory.

Part IX: New Worlds:.

34. The Americas and Australia.

35. Origin of Agriculture and The First Villagers.

Glossary.

Index

I am an anthro grad and felt I needed an update, having been away from the field for some time. This is a great overview of current thinking in the field. Terminology has changed. New concepts have evolved. It's just what I wanted. I don't know WHY hominids are now hominins, but the author almost apologetically informs me that's the way it is, so I've got to change. OK, if I have to, I guess.

I'm somewhat dumbfounded by these other reviews. I can't imagine why Roten calls this book awful. In what way? The writing is clear. It's not the least bit boring, and he doesn't overwhelm you with arcane detail. If you want a popularist treatment of the subject, go for it. You can always read a Donald Johansen book and listen to him brag about himself. This book isn't out to entertain you, but to inform you. I read half of this on an airplane and was captivated.

Another three-star review says he is continually reminded this is a textbook. Well, duh! It IS a textbook used, among other places, at Oxford. And there's nothing at all wrong or poor about the pictures or illustrations. They are very helpful.

And, no, it doesn't have Homo florensis. That was only first detailed in late 2004. This book came out in 2005, so the text must have been finished prior. There is no way it could have included florensis. It is updated every five years and is in its fifth edition. I'm sure the author will include florensis next time. Be patient. Florensis isn't such a big deal anyway. Most anthropologists think it is an island-isolated erectus anyway. It doesn't 're-write' paleontology. Oh, wait! The news stories say it did!

My only mild criticism of the book is that it is too short with too little detail. But for what it is and what it is intended to be, it's great! Highly recommended.
By Michael Schuyler
This book deserves its description as introductory,and therefore it shouldn't be confused with more advanced works,but within the outlined scope a very outstanding quality has been reached in elaboration of highly particular issues which are of crucial relevance for gaining threedimensional perspective-spatial,temporal and causal-not only in classical introductory remarks that are to be found in similar books,but also in succesfull blending of these with wealth of theoretical insights into evolutionary process and biocultural adaptation.Bibliographic entries are few,provided with each chapter,but this is not deficit for such brief book.Highly recomendable for primary knowledge of evolution-it is neither too simplistic,and also not too elitistic.
By Eric Laubergis
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