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Bernard A. Wood
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Human Evolution: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition

by Bernard Wood (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 102 ratings
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The study of human evolution is advancing rapidly. Newly discovered fossil evidence is adding ever more pieces to the puzzle of our past, whilst revolutionary technological advances in the study of ancient DNA are completely reshaping theories of early human populations and migrations.

In this Very Short Introduction Bernard Wood traces the history of paleoanthropology from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to the very latest fossil finds. In this new edition he discusses how Ancient DNA studies have revolutionized how we view the recent (post-550 ka) human evolution, and the process of speciation. The combination of ancient and modern human DNA has contributed to discoveries of new taxa, as well as the suggestion of 'ghost' taxa whose fossil records still
remain to be discovered. Considering the contributions of related sciences such as paleoclimatology, geochronology, systematics, genetics, and developmental biology, Wood explores our latest understandings of our own evolution.


ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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Previous page
  1. ISBN-13
    978-0198831747
  2. Edition
    2nd
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    OUP Oxford
  5. Publication date
    June 27, 2019
  6. Part of series
    Very Short Introductions
  7. Language
    English
  8. File size
    5641 KB
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernard Wood is university professor of human origins at George Washington University. He has been involved in human evolution-related research for more than thirty years, and is the author or coauthor of nineteen books, ranging from a 1991 major monograph on the hominid cranial remains from Koobi Fora, Kenya, to Human Evolution (Brief Insights), and more than 220 refereed scientific articles and book chapters. His research interests include taxonomy, phylogeny reconstruction, and comparative morphology.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NZVBMP7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ OUP Oxford; 2nd edition (June 27, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5641 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 102 ratings

About the author

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Bernard A. Wood

Bernard A. Wood

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
102 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John J. Shea
5.0 out of 5 stars a handy, well-written, and up-to date little book about human evolution
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
f you are looking for a short, handy, well-written, and inexpensive little book with most-up-to date information about human evolution, this is the book for you. The author writes well and clearly. The tables and illustrations are helpful and well-organized. It is a quick read -2-3 hours for someone who knows the subject well, probably longer if this is your first encounter with paleoanthropology. There are a fair number of specialized terms, that are not defined, but in each such case, an internet search retrieved a definition. I did not note any errors of fact. The work touches only lightly on earlier (pre-hominin) phases of primate evolution and (wisely, in my view) leaves the archaeology alone (it is the subject of a different AVSI book).
I read this book because I teach a lower-level college course on prehistoric archaeology at a university. The course relates archaeology to major debates about human evolution. We offer advanced courses in human evolution, but the students enrolling in my course often have not taken those courses. This book will get my students up-to speed on the fossils and DNA before we dive into the archaeology. I think my students will be thankful that it will cost them about 1/7 the price of competing textbooks.
In interest of full disclosure, I know the author professionally, but I bought my own copy of this work in order to review it for classroom use.
5 people found this helpful
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D. Serva
5.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a very fine introduction to and summary of the field.
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♫NewHorizons♫
4.0 out of 5 stars A little difficult for the uninitiated
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023
I found the book a little too empirical in places... lots of comparisons of fossils from different regions and dates, etc. As a first exposure to paleoanthropology, Wood's book is a little challenging, and I found myself occasionally skimming through several paragraphs at a time. For me, I rate the book 3.5 stars, which rounds to 4.
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Scoglio
3.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction but there are caveats
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
I was looking forward to this second edition (2019) of a fine book first published in 2005, but I was disappointed. The additions/revisions are too insubstantial and perhaps incorporated rather unskillfully to warrant the new edition. Archaeology is proceeding apace on all populated continents, so I would suggest locating a volume whose roots are more recent if you seek a flavor for discoveries in the field.
7 people found this helpful
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Tero
3.0 out of 5 stars Not very exciting to read, facts and narrative are correct
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2021
The book summarizes the hominin finds and presents charts showing timelines. However, the typical figures showing skulls and bones are minimal. Maps showing the spread of hominins, or climate changes in this period, are mostly missing.

Mitochondrial DNA from Neanderthals are discussed in a few pages, but more recent finds, as well as interbreeding with modern man, are missing in the 2008 edition. Y-choromosome data from modern man is briefly discussed.

The general methods used by scientists with fossil evidence are discussed well on pages 1-50. Hominins and fossils of apes are discussed following that.

I was not quite done reading on this topic, and the aspects that I needed more books on were summarized well in the end, chapter by chapter. Of those, The Complete World of Human Evolution
by Chris Stringer (Author), Peter Andrews (Author) covers the entire topic quite well, and is affordable.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars An easy to read summary of a fascinating subject
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2023
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With very few exceptions the information was presented without professional jargon and concepts were explained before being built upon. If you are interested in the subject and looking for an engaging first step this is a great little book.
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Cliente
5.0 out of 5 stars RECOMENDADO
Reviewed in Mexico on December 29, 2020
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EXCELENTE RESUMEN, LECTURA AGRADABLE
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Edwin Willcox
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
A very informative, interesting, and enjoyable little book!
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