Human Evolutionary Genetics: Origins, Peoples and Disease (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mathew Hurles (Author), Chris Tyler-Smith (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an absolutely superb book! One of the best textbooks on any subject…" -- American Journal of Human Genetics, 76:0, 2005

I strongly recommend Human Evolutionary Genetics as an udergraduate textbook. At the same time, I recommend this book to any readers with an interest in human evolution or human genetics. - Human Genetics (13 May, 2004)

I strongly recommed this book to anyone with an interest in human evolutionary genetics or anthropological genetics. It would be an ideal choice for advanced undergraduates and graduate courses on this topic, and would also be a key reference for those active in such research. - Human Genomics (May 2004, Vol 1, no. 4)

This is an absolutely superb book! I have been recommending it enthusiastically to prefessional colleagues, graduate students, and even the occasional highly motivated undergraduate student...Not only is the book unique in terms of topical coverage, but it is also extremely well executed. - Katherine D. Matthews, The American Society of Human Genetics.

Product Description

"This is an absolutely superb book! I have been recommending it enthusiastically to professional colleagues, graduate students, and even the occasional highly motivated undergraduate student ever since it was published last year, and the response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive. Not only is the book unique in terms of topical coverage, but it is also extremely well executed. In fact, it is one of the best textbooks on any subject that I have read. It belongs on the shelves of everyone interested in the genetic aspects of human evolution. There is also much of value in it for paleoanthropologists, historical linguists, archaeologists, and human biologists (biological anthropologists), as well as for geneticists with various complementary specialties and interests.

… The text is clearly written, and the illustrations are excellent. The boxed supplementary text is especially informative, whether just explanatory information or an opinion piece by an outside expert. There is a real richness to the mtDNA and Y-chromosome data presented in a phyolgenetic/phylogeographic framework in the three chapters on prehistoric range expansion and global colonization. Students have found chapters 3-6 (about genome diversity) quite helpful and have deemed the text’s brief excursions into the realm of mathematics to be effectively presented and not overly technical. Appropriate Web sites are mentioned throughout the book, to foster independent research. I must confess that I learned something new (and important) from every chapter in the book!

… This new compendium emphasizes the enormous explosion in knowledge derived from human haploid systems and molecular genetic markers, and, as such, it is a most worthy successor. It should quickly become the book to consult for genetic information pertinent to the evolution of our species. To the authors, I offer both a sincere thank you and a hearty congratulations for a job well done!"

American Journal of Human Genetics, 76:0, 2005

Product Details

• Paperback: 458 pages
• Publisher: Garland Science; 1 edition (December 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815341857
• ISBN-13: 978-0815341857
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #633,501 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, February 6, 2004

By	socrates964 "socrates964" (SÃO PAULO, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews

Clearly laid out like one of the classic undergraduate textbooks (e.g. Genes VII, Albers et al.), this is the only up-to-date introduction in the field.

The authors make great efforts to link advances in genetics to other fields (e.g. linguistics, anthropology), as well as to organise chapters around key issues such as the spread of agriculture, offering space to key authors in these associated fields. Bibliographic/website sources are also well documented.

Evidently, coverage is broad rather than deep, but if you need some basic background (e.g. I wanted to understand how Y-chromosome sequence data illuminated prehistoric migrations but needed some basic information on microsatellites) before proceeding to original papers, then this is the book for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book all around, July 27, 2006

By	Mary A. Kelaita (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered this book when I first began my research using DNA markers. I found it very easy to read and highly informative, even beyond my own interests. It's a great reference to have around and a must read for anyone working in the field of human genetics, both from a clinical or academic perspective. Its organization lends it suitable for a good textbook in an advanced evolutionary genetics course as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars good so far, February 12, 2009

By	Nicole Arias "book lolita" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not quite finished with it yet, but it's good so far. For bio majors taking an upper level Anthropology class, a lot of it is just a refresher. I think the authors are British too, some of the english is a bit different.