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The Complete World of Human Evolution

Posted on: Saturday, 9 July 2005, 03:00 CDT

The Complete World of Human Evolution Chris Stringer and Peter Andrews Thames & Hudson 240pp 24.95 ISBN 0 500 05132 1

'MONKEYS, BONES AND STONES' would be most peoples' take on human evolution, and, in many ways, (if we ignore the misuse of the word monkey), they would not be far wrong. Delve deeper and you discover a range of complex problems and such a wide array of techniques that Bill Bryson had cause to describe the subject as one of the most difficult he came across whilst writing A Short History of Nearly Everything. With this in mind The Complete World of Human Evolution is a bold title for a book dealing with such a multi-disciplined and potentially confusing subject.

Human evolution is a field that offers no simple answers and much in the way of controversy and contradiction. Thankfully the authors of the work are leading experts in the field and they do not disappoint.

The organization of topics in the book breaks away from the traditional chronological approach adopting instead a more thematic method. This has a number of major advantages both for the casual reader and more informed audience. The first section of the book 'In Search of our Ancestors' is a scene-setter, guiding the reader through the background of the subject and explains, with great clarity, some of the more important techniques such as dating methods and what information can be gleaned from fossils. Illustrative case studies are used to consolidate to great effect.

The second section 'The Fossil Evidence' gets to grips with the bones, starting with the evolution of the primates before reviewing the numerous species of hominins (essentially us and our ancestors after we split from the last common ancestor that we and the chimps shared). It then comes bang up to date with a two-page spread dealing with the significance of the latest addition to our evolutionary history - Homo floresiensis (perhaps better known as the 'Hobbit'). The section rounds off with a very accessible description of the genetic techniques that are becoming increasingly important to the study of human evolution.

Finally, 'Interpreting the Evidence' draws on the previous two sections and examines some of the major themes that permeate our evolutionary story; bipedalism (walking on two legs), the spread of humans across the globe, tool use and finally art. Each topic is covered with a reassuring level of detail but remains accessible. The section concludes with an overview of human origins, tying together the loose ends and addressing many of those nagging 'Why do we...?' questions.

The Complete World of Human Evolution is short enough to be read from cover to cover but will equally appeal to the casual reader who wants to dip in and out. But perhaps the major attraction of this book are the 432 sumptuous illustrations that have been crammed in. No page is left without an image, which means that the reader can easily refer to a handy illustration to clarify some of the more complex issues.

The many books on human evolution that are designed to cater to the professional, student or layman would fill shelves until they groaned under the weight. Occasionally one comes along that can appeal to all three groups and this is what Stringer and Andrews have done. The Complete World of Human Evolution does exactly what it says on the spine.

Copyright History Today Ltd. Jul 2005

Source: History Today

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