Introduction to Physical Anthropology (Paperback)

by Robert Jurmain (Author), Lynn Kilgore (Author), Wenda Trevathan (Author), Russell L. Ciochon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Over the years I have looked at many other texts but they do not cover the major subject areas as well as this text. The style is engaging and the reading level is within the range of nearly all students. This book is a great instructional tool."

"A great strength of this text is the "Issue" section--a fabulous reminder of the value of a college education."

"Overall, this is a great text. The chapters build upon one another and students get a good dose of both historical approaches as well as current multidisciplinary approaches. The text and accompanying CD-ROM use wonderful photos and diagrams. The layout is very appealing, and some chapters are just chock full of great photos."

"The text is well-written. I will use it for a class with a mix of students, some having no background. The visuals in the text are excellent." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
Jurmain's best-selling text provides you with the course content you need to help you pass your biological/physical anthropology course. Through clear discussions that move from 'description' to interpretation, compelling visual content, cutting-edge research, and interactive multimedia, you'll discover life's history and the place of human beings in the biological world.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 11 edition (March 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0495187798
• ISBN-13: 978-0495187790
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,820 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The wonder of human evolution..., June 5, 2007

By	Raj (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

If this book is required for your anthropology course, then you're in luck! I appreciate that the authors genuinely enjoy the subject matter, and that it comes through in their writing.

The book is very well organized. You can look forward to chapters of reasonable length -- usually 25 to 30 pages, at most. There are lots of colourful pictures and diagrams, though some flowcharts seem like page fillers to me. The margins are used for definitions of new key words and concepts, a very useful feature.

Aside: There's a little bit of "handwaving" in the early chapters introducing concepts of genetics. That's unfortunate, but necessary at the same time. So if you're interested in the details, I encourage you to pick up a genetics textbook (I liked Concepts of Genetics), or better yet, take a genetics course.

There are certainly debates and controversies in the field. This makes sense, since there are so many unknowns. I appreciate that the authors make mention of differing perspectives and points of view when appropriate.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good introductory text, September 20, 2008

By	A. Baker (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This text was used in my Intro to Biological Anthropology course and I found it to be very useful and interesting. The sections on evolution and genetics are very similar to the material covered in Campbell/Reece's widely used Biology text. I often found myself skimming through chapters that weren't even assigned for class because the material was so fascinating. Key terms are conveniently located in the margins of the text for easy flash card making and studying.

4.0 out of 5 stars a fairly easy required read, February 15, 2009

By	Leah D. Quintana "Blonde Beauty" (Ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I felt this book was a bit dummied down, which made it very easy to read. As a required text for Anthropology 101, it served it's purpose very well. All required subjects for the course were covered. Not a bad book.