Based on a groundbreaking synthesis of recent scientific findings, an acclaimed "New York Times" science reporter tells a bold and provocative new story of the history of our ancient ancestors and the evolution of human nature Just in the last three years a flood of new scientific findings-driven by revelations discovered in the human genome-has provided compelling new answers to many long-standing mysteries about our most ancient ancestors-the people who first evolved in Africa and then went on to colonize the whole world. Critically acclaimed "New York Times" science reporter Nicholas Wade weaves this host of news-making findings together for the first time into an intriguing new history of the human story before the dawn of civilization. Sure to stimulate lively controversy, he makes the case for novel arguments about many hotly debated issues such as the evolution of language and race and the genetic roots of human nature, and reveals that human evolution has continued even to today. In wonderfully lively and lucid prose, Wade reveals the answers that researchers have ingeniously developed to so many puzzles: When did language emerge? When and why did we start to wear clothing? How did our ancestors break out of Africa and defeat the more physically powerful Neanderthals who stood in their way? Why did the different races evolve, and why did we come to speak so many different languages? When did we learn to live with animals and where and when did we domesticate man's first animal companions, dogs? How did human nature change during the thirty-five thousand years between the emergence of fully modern humans and the first settlements? Wade takes readers to theforefront of research in a sweeping and engrossing narrative unlike any other, the first to reveal how genetic discoveries are helping to weave together the perspectives of archaeology, paleontology, anthropology, linguistics, and many other fields. This will be the most talked about science book of the season. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Scientists are using DNA analysis to understand our prehistory: the evolution of humans; their relation to the Neanderthals, who populated Europe and the Near East; and Homo erectus, who roamed the steppes of Asia. Most importantly, geneticists can trace the movements of a little band of human ancestors, numbering perhaps no more than 150, who crossed the Red Sea from east Africa about 50,000 years ago. Within a few thousand years, their descendents, Homo sapiens, became masters of all they surveyed, the other humanoid species having become extinct. According to New York Times science reporter Wade, this DNA analysis shows that evolution isn't restricted to the distant past: Iceland has been settled for only 1,000 years, but the inhabitants have already developed distinctive genetic traits. Wade expands his survey to cover the development of language and the domestication of man's best friend. And while "race" is often a dirty word in science, one of the book's best chapters shows how racial differences can be marked genetically and why this is important, not least for the treatment of diseases. This is highly recommended for readers interested in how DNA analysis is rewriting the history of mankind. Maps. (Apr. 24) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

New York Times science reporter Wade has written a fascinating examination of the biological and sociocultural evolution of our ancestors that focuses on genetic change, social behavior, and symbolic language. He pays special attention to the emergence of our human species in Africa and its subsequent migrations to and dispersals in both Asia and Europe. Wade's analysis stresses the contributions of DNA research to understanding and appreciating human biosocial adaptations, especially the evolution of articulate speech. Of particular importance is his demonstration of the value of Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA inheritance for determining the history of human populations over the last five million years. Other topics he discusses range from racism and sedentism to warfare and corroborating evidence from genetics and archaeology for reconstructing our prehistoric past. With extensive notes and excellent illustrations, this is recommended for all large academic and public science collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/05.]-H. James Birx, SUNY at Geneseo Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

New York Times reporter Wade discusses how information gained from the decoded human genome has been used to explain the emergence of human species, e.g., how humans lost most of their body hair and gained the power of speech. The study of the human genome has assisted anthropologists in discovering how Neanderthals became extinct. Wade discusses the migration and "metamorphosis" of human groups, furnishing a family tree of humans and other great apes based on the decoded part of mitochondrial DNA, and illustrating the continuity between the world of apes 5 million years ago and the human world evolving from it. Initially, human physical features emerged and then human behavior developed in the last ice age. The three principal social institutions of humans--warfare, religion, and trade--evolved 50,000 years ago, and early humans overcame their natural aggressiveness to live in settled communities. This fascinating and clearly written account of human evolution by a talented science writer will be valuable not only to professional biologists, naturalists, and anthropologists, but to all those interested in the fate of the human species. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above; general readers. J. S. Schwartz formerly, CUNY College of Staten Island From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Born in Aylesbury, England, Nicholas Wade studies at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. He has worked at nature and Science and is currently a science reporter for The New York Times. The author of four previous books, he lives in Montclair, New Jersey. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.