From Lucy To Language (Hardcover)

~ Donald Johanson (Author), (Author) "A HUMAN is any member of the species Homo sapiens ("wise man"), the only living representative of the family Hominidae..." (more)
Key Phrases: suprainiac fossa, stone tool cut marks, estimated cranial capacity, David Brill, Upper Paleolithic, South Africa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In recent decades new fossil discoveries have redefined perceptions of human evolution at a remarkable pace, making it nearly impossible for the general reader to find an up-to-date account of the subject. This large-format book by science writer Edgar and paleoanthropologist Johanson--discoverer of the famous partial skeleton of "Lucy," a female hominid who lived 3.2 million years ago--gives as complete a picture as is presently known. Much mystery remains, but the earlier view of human evolution as a linear progression from apes through the hominids to the various homo species has been replaced by a more treelike analogue, one with many branches of upright-walking hominids. Truly a photo album of hominid history, the volume includes more than 200 color pictures of the major fossil discoveries, each with explanatory text.

From Publishers Weekly

No serious student of paleoanthropology can afford to miss this magnificent, encyclopedic survey of human origins. It combines a lucid, meticulous text by noted American paleontologist Johanson (well known for his discovery of Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old hominid skeleton from Ethiopia) and freelancer Edgar with more than 200 stunning color photographs of fossils, artifacts and prehistoric art by National Geographic chief staff photographer Brill. The book's first half succinctly yet comprehensively explores dozens of issues and controversies, among them our genetic similarity to our closest living relatives, African apes; what early humans looked like; Homo's probable beginnings in Africa and migrations therefrom; and the latest evidence regarding hominid lifestyles, diet, shelter, art, burial practices. The second half contains arguably the fullest systematic survey to date for the nonspecialist of fossil hominids, ranging from the earliest such find, in 1921, to the most recent specimens from Kenya and Ethiopia, unearthed in 1994-95 and dated to more than four million years. Johanson forcefully argues that race is a superficial cultural construct without any solid genetic basis, and he theorizes that language, a survival mechanism that evolved through natural selection, is intimately linked to our brain's evolution.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684810239
• ISBN-13: 978-0684810232
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #748,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-sized photos...., February 7, 2000

By	Howard Clark Jr. (Clovis, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's about time - a book focusing on the PHOTOS of fossilized hominids. Most books on human evolution entertain us with page after page of text. This book features picture after picture of life-sized hominid fossils. It does contain text - very well written and discusses the fossils at length - a wonderful piece of work - it deserves six stars...

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most complete overview of the hominid record, images, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This book is the most complete review of the hominid fossil record I have yet seen.

The first half, "Central Issues of Paleoanthropology", is complete and concise coverage of the science of paleoanthropology, that makes the subject come alive and is generously illustrated.

The jewels, however, are contained in the second part - "Encountering the Evidence". In this section, there is full coverage of the fossil record of every hominid species. The narrative is engaging and always interesting, and the photographs, usually two or three for each type, are simply breathtaking. You won't see a more exciting collection of hominid fossil images anywhere.

My advice: start with this book, then get Johanson's "Lucy" books and Richard Leakey's "Origins" books, to really appreciate the range of debate and the flavor of the competitiveness in human origins research.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for just about anybody..., May 22, 2004

By	Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

If you want a solid, detailed book about the search for mankind's origins this is it. The first part of the book deals with the science of paleoanthropology, the nuts and bolts of how it works, from dating fossils, firepits and artifacts to studying past climates. The book also reveals to us the debates within society about where humans came from and what it means to be human. Will the answers change the way we think about ourselves and how what we will do in the future?
The second part shows us the evidence - bones. Skulls, teeth, fingers. In clear photos, many of them actual size so we can see for ourselves what the text is telling us. It ends with a couple of pages on stone tools and their development.
The two authors did their best to make the book complete BUT they also did not talk down to the reader. They don't assume you know everything, but they don't assume you're a fossil hunter either. For pros or beginners alike.