Customer Reviews

From Lucy to Language: Revised, Updated, and Expanded

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"From Lucy to Lanuage" is somewhat of a misleading title as it covers evidence from before Lucy and the discussion of the development of language is limited. However, it has a better ring to it than "From Sahelanthropus tchadenis to Language" and Lucy is probably one of the best know discoveries. (Donald Johnson by the way being one of the discoverers of Lucy).

Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the science of paleoanthropology (the study of ancient humans) and the evidence that has been accumulated on the evolutionary history of modern humans.

It is a large format book - a coffee table book size although most people don't leave books on their coffee table with picture of skulls in them. This large format allows for the often full size photographs of the evidence, which are simply magnificent photographs primarily taken by David Brill. Although I haven't counted them, I would guess there are over 100 pages of these photographs that allow you to see the actual evidence while it is being described in the text.

The book is divided into two major sections - the first hundred pages or so is called "Central Issues in Paleoanthropology" and this reviews key concepts and issues in the subject in a series of 48 short sections looking at everything from techniques of paleoanthropology, to problems of evidence to art. This is clearly written for the general reader and does a good job of explaining some difficult and often contentious areas without oversimplification. I liked the way they would use technical terms but explain them and repeat that explanation at various stages throughout the book. However,at one or two points it can become too superficial and more pop-science than serious science and there a few silly comments like "a prefrontal cortex that is more than 200% smaller than that of the human brain!". Fortunately these moments are rare.

The second section is called "Encountering the Evidence" and this presents, over about 150 pages, many of the major finds with a one or two page background on the find and its significance accompanied by a full page (or sometimes two pages) photograph of the actual evidence. To be able to see the evidence in so clear a way helps to understand the difficulies of collecting evidence, why there are often strong disagreements but at the end shows a strong case that there is a line of evolution that can be demonstrated.

In a very contentious and aggressive area of science, Johansen and Edgar, appear to have pulled together a balanced view of the current state of science including the very recent (and definitely contentious) Homo floresiensis find in Indonesia. Clearly Johanson has a view and expresses it but does reference diffences of opinion (if only briefly sometimes)

Apart from some of the occassional sloppy writing in the first section, two other minor quibbles. In the second section, each find is independently described within a species and the finds seem to be presented in estimated age of the specimin. This may seem to be logical but it does get a little confusing when the actual date of finds are in a different order as the narrative refers to events that you have not yet read about. One recurring and more irritating issue is in the editing. Words are missed out or misspelt and in a couple of the captions on the photograph the text is cut off at one end. A shame for such an otherwise well laid out book.

Overall, highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the issues in human evolution and actually see the evidence.

I just bought the revised edition and also had the earlier edition so the updates were well needed since there's been a lot more discoveries since the first edition. The photographs are the best I have come across in a long time it's like being at the site and looking at them in there actual size. Great book overall and very informative.

This is a fascinating, up to date survey of human evolution presented with lucid and thoroughly researched text. The standard of design and reproduction are also most professional and make it a volume fit to grace the shelves every school and university library. I found it rewarding on all levels.
It is also of sufficient weight to whack creationalists over the head even if they are unable to understand the content.

Jeff Clarke

The title of this book is at the same time both informative and misleading.

It's misleading because it actually goes back millions of years before Lucy walked the earth. And its discussion on language is quite minimal. So if you are looking for a book on language or Lucy, you might want to look elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you're not being quite this picky, this is an excellent overview of the development of humankind. Dr. Johanson was on the team that discovered Lucy, and since this is the second edition of the book which now goes back further than Lucy changing the name might not have made sense.

The book goes back further because new findings in the fossil record now go back to some 7 million years (Lucy is 3.5 millian years old).

The problems with printing any book like this are clearly illustrated by the 'Kennewick Man.' The previous edition of this book was published in 1996. A very short while later, the 'Kennewick Man' was discovered in Washington State that may completely alter the way we think the Americas were populated. This individual died about 9,400 years ago and reconstruction of his appearance from the skull remains has him looking a lot like Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart. Perhaps this lends credulence to European travellers also reaching the Americas as well as Asians coming over the Siberian Land Bridge.

This is a fascinating book, profusely illustrated with excellent photographs of fossils and commentary explaining what these fossils show.

This is an excellent text for those interested in paleoanthropology and human evolution in general. It is superbly illustrated and the activities of the paleontologist explained in terms that are understandable to the informed layman and provide a fascinating insight into this field.

The photography is absolutely stunning. The book is separated into two parts 1) Central Issues of Paleoanthropology 2) Encountering the Evidence. This is the single best book on hominid evolution.

This is a great textbook. The photos are good quality and the writing is interesting.

I'd wanted this book for awhile, after seeing it at a local bookstore. But I never bought it. My boyfriend gave it to me for Christmas and I was extremely excited to get a chance to look through it thoroughly. The images are beautifully done and it's an easy read. I now keep it on my coffee table, giving everyone who comes by an opportunity to look through it. All agree that it is a great buy.

The explanation of the evolution of humankind in East Africa is a great message and here the photographs of the fossils are fascinating and illuminating.

I am very pleased with my results. My package came quickly and was exactly what I was expecting.