A Genetic and Cultural Odyssey: The Life and Work of L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza [Hardcover]

Linda Stone (Author), Paul F. Lurquin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2005

Drawing links between genetic and cultural development, Cavalli-Sforza developed groundbreaking techniques to trace the evolution of Homo sapiens and the origins of human differentiation, in addition to his earlier work in bacterial genetics. He is also the founder of the Human Genome Diversity Project and continues to work as the principal investigator at Stanford University's Human Population Genetics Laboratory. Based on extensive research and interviews with Cavalli-Sforza and his colleagues, this biography examines the scientist's life and his immense and occasionally controversial contributions to genetics, anthropology, and linguistics.

(9/1/05)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This fascinating little book demonstrates that Cavalli-Sforza has blazed a path well worth reading.

(Oren Solomon American Scientist )

As a renaissance scientist in the purist form... Cavalli-Sforza is a giant upon whom many scientists have stood... Highly recommended.

(Choice )

A Genetic and Cultural Odyssey is a wonderful journey through the life to date of a giant who is nearly glued to science.

(Nyamkhishig Sambuughin, Ph.D. New England Journal of Medicine )

Review

Stone and Lurquin have written a book for readers drawn to the adventures at the frontiers we call science. Weaving together historical, scientific, and biographical details, they bring us the fascinating story of Cavalli-Sforza's contributions to genetics and anthropology.

(Joanna Mountain, Stanford University 1/5/06)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (May 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231133960
• ISBN-13: 978-0231133968
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,584,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crosses the Boundry of Science and the Humanities, July 22, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Genetic and Cultural Odyssey: The Life and Work of L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza (Hardcover)

In recent years it has becomm possible to use DNA to trace human development. For instance the people of iceland believed themselves to be of Viking descent. DNA testing has shown that yes, the men of Iceland are of Viking descent. But the women came from England and Scotland. Apparently the Vikings stopped off to capture a few women on their way west.

This little tidbit of knowledge is a mixture of multiple sciences and fields of study. The beliefs of the Icelanders has to come from a humanities perspective. The DNA evidence has to come from the hard science in the laboratory. (The supposition at the end is my own.)

Dr. Cavalli-Sforza, as the title of this book says, has spent a lifetime of study spanning across many fields of study in the hard sciences and in many different areas of the humanities. This is a book that spans the globe from his offices in California and Italy to field studies in Africa and elsewhere.

Written by an anthropologist and a geneticist, this book is also a good combination of crossing the fields of science and humanity.