The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Paperback)

by John Relethford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This text introduces physical anthropology, the science of human biological evolution and variation. It addresses the major questions that concern biological anthropologists: "What are humans?" "How are we similar to and different from other animals?" "Where are our origins?" "How did we evolve?" "Are we still evolving?" "How are we different from one another?" and "What does the future hold for the human species?"

About the Author
Dr. John Relethford holds the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the State University of New York College at Oneonta, and has received a SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. He received his BA (1975), MA (1978), and Ph.D. (1980) degrees in anthropology from the State University of New York at Albany. His textbook, The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology, was first published in 1990, and is currently in the eighth edition. He has also written Genetics and the Search for Modern Human Origins and Reflections of Our Past: How Human History is Revealed in Our Genes, and is coauthor of Human Biological Variation. In addition, he has authored or coauthored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, 18 book chapters, and numerous book reviews and other publications. He has served as both President and Vice-President of both the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and the American Association of Anthropological Genetics. He has served on the editorial boards of many journals, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 7 edition (June 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0073405264
• ISBN-13: 978-0073405261
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,970 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent academic introduction to human evolution, March 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Paperback)

I am an archaeology professor who has used this book as a text in my human origins class. No, it is not a mystery-scifi read - but it does a quite decent job with a difficult topic.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ideal introductory text for students of human evolution., September 5, 2000

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Paperback)

Now in a fully updated fourth edition, John Relethford's The Human Species: An Introduction To Biological Anthropology is divided into three major sections: Evolution and Diversity in Human Populations; Our Place in Nature; and Human Evolution. Updated coverage of the fossil record focuses on broad general groups of early hominids; principles of miroevolution show shown as they apply to the modern human species; the concept of race is thoroughly discussed from a biological and evolutionary perspective; and new interpretations of the number of species of early Homo and Neanderthal DNA are explored. The Human Species is an ideal introductory text for students of anthropology, and informative reading for any non-specialist general reader with an interest in the contemporary status of research in human evolution today.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for students, May 17, 2007

By	Oh Joy! - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Human Species: An Introduction To Biological Anthropology (Paperback)

This book was required for my Intro to Anthropology class. It was easy to read and follow. Since the class was a required general education class, I had to go into the class with an open mind about what I was required to learn. I did not feel as if the book was attempting to influence my thoughts or beliefs. The book is organized effeciently and productively. I did not get bored reading it.