The World Before Us: How Science is Revealing a New Story of Our Human Origins

This is a very detailed and readable account of what is being discovered about the origins of homo sapiens and how our genetic make up include previous types such as Neanderthals, Denisovans, and others.The methods are too complicated to describe in the book but the conclusions seem rational.The book is quite dense but I found it interesting enough that on finishing it I started reading it again.There is one assumption I question. They have found some genetic adaptations for conditions such as some disease resistance, cold tolerance, and altitude that are identical to other forms such as Denisovians. From this they conclude that the ancestors of the current people must have interbred and thus retain traces of them.This is very rational and good assumption but I woudl like to know how they ruled out concurrent evolution

As an interested layperson, I am very keen to find out the latest facts and theories about human evolution. And this book certainly gives us lots of up-to-date information on our human family tree. But I am just going to focus on my three reasons for only giving it four stars instead of five.(1) The book looks in detail at the various species in the Homo genus, but it does not cover the earlier Australopithecines.(2) There is a great deal of detail about the scientific processes (such as genetic sequencing) that are being used to advance our knowledge of human evolution. This is fine for those who are keen to get to grips with these processes, but for me it was rather more technical detail than I wanted.(3) For my taste there was too much reminiscing by the author about his own involvement in recent discoveries and research.I’m not saying that I wouldn’t recommend the book. There is a lot of interesting stuff in it. But for these three reasons I preferred another recent book on this topic: “Our Human Story” by Louise Humphrey and Chris Stringer. That one is definitely five stars.Phil Webster.(England)

This is one of the most fascinating, interesting, useful, intriguing, researchful, & great reads about our early ancient, ancestral, origins. I love it & am glad I got it 🙂

As well as telling great stories about the archeological discoveries of the Denisovan remains, this book explains the developments in the science to find the traces of early humans and the scientists that do the work. Neanderthals, Denisovans and other humans are discussed in this story as well as the traces that remain in our own DNA.

A thoroughly enjoyable, clearly written tour of what is now known, and what is still unknown, about human evolution. The descriptions of the latest scientific techniques, and how they have revealed new evidence over time, added a vital extra dimension to the overall narrative.

Perfect

Too often academicians gloss over mistakes, drown readers in jargon or go so narrowly down their own path. This author explains procedures, defines terms, acknowledges wrong turns; while placing his work within the paleo framework. This is a popularizing work, but also a rigorous study of confusing data. I can only hope he writes again.

Wonderful up to the minute description of the latest known research about the several species of modern humans. So much new learning in just the last 10 years.