Reflections Of Our Past: How Human History Is Revealed In Our Genes

by John H Relethford (Author), John Relethford (Author)

11 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0813339580

ISBN-10: 0813339588

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Reflections of Our Past: How Human History Is Revealed in Our Genes

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Where did modern humans come from and how important are the biological differences among us? Are we descended from Neanderthals? How many races of people are there? Were Native Americans the first settlers of the New World? How can we tell if Thomas Jefferson had a child with Sally Hemings? Through an engaging examination of issues such as these, and using non-technical language, Reflections of Our Past shows how anthropologists use genetic information to test theories and define possible answers to fundamental questions in human history. By looking at genetic variation in the world today, we can reconstruct the recent and remote events and processes that created the variation we see, providing a fascinating reflection of our genetic past. Reflections of Our Past is a W. W. Howells Book Prize Winner and Choice Outstanding Academic Title.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this gem of a book, Relethford, an anthropologist at SUNY Oneonta, examines how members of his field use genetic information to shed light on human origins and prehistory, and he questions some orthodox views along the way. Through intuitive examples and friendly analogies, Relethford shows the lay reader why our closest living relatives are the African apes and how one's method of genetic classification depends on the questions one is trying to answer. Examining how our genetic variations inform us about our origins, he tentatively challenges current views by proposing that not all of our ancestors originated in Africa 150,000 years ago-some came from other continents. Then there is the question of what happened to the ill-fated Neanderthals: Relethford shows that differences between Neanderthal and present human DNA are not as great as we might think, and concludes that perhaps Neanderthals were bred out of existence by mixing with a numerically superior gene pool. The remainder of the book shows how genetic data from living human populations can be used to reconstruct the past. The author touches on the Kennewick Man controversy (the skeleton found in Washington state was dated at 9,600 years old yet appeared European), concluding that he was probably not Caucasian but in fact a precursor to Native Americans. There are also chapters on the origins of the Polynesians, the genetic history of Ireland and ever-interesting case studies of genetic admixture such as the Jewish diaspora and the Thomas Jefferson-Sally Hemings affair.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In this clarifying presentation, Relethford conveys the vital contribution genetic analysis makes to our understanding of human evolution. Its techniques burst into popular awareness when, 15 years ago, scientists announced they had traced back 200,000 years to discover "Eve," the common ancestor to all humanity or, strictly speaking, a pool of several thousand individuals with the common ancestor. Nice story, but how accurate is it? Relethford delves into the issue to unveil a fundamental debate in paleoanthropology about whether modern humans are descended from the Eve group in Africa, or from multiregional populations. What DNA, drawn from Neanderthal bones and living people, says about this is not clear-cut; however, Relethford's explanation of genetic techniques most certainly is. An important contribution to the literature on human origins. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product details

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Westview Press / Perseus Book Group (May 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0813339588
ISBN-13: 978-0813339580
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 11 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,318,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2202 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Animals > Mammals
- #2513 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Genetics
- #7048 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Anthropology > General

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S. M. Silverberg MD

A must read for those interested in evolutionary and population genetics

February 4, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This well written and very informative book on evolutionary and population genetics is a must read for anyone truly interested in the subject. As a layman in this field I am beginning to get an understanding of the subject. I would recommend it highly.

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Kirsten H. Gordon

Well Written and Interesting Read - For Lay and Students, Alike

January 25, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

What a great tour of anthropological discovery & methodology by one of the world authorities and leaders in the field. Fascinating detective work almost reminded me of TV's CSI. Great sense of humor and excellent sentence/paragraph progression and structure. I'd recommend this book for anybody interested in learning more about the field, or learning more about the ways in which genetic composition analysis has proven (and disproven) many of the theories about where we came from and how we got here. For me, it was recreational reading that opened my eyes to an entire field! RECOMMENDED.

One person found this helpful

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Good book, great professor

December 29, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I took a class with this professor and I got to say, he is one of the best professor I ever had. His book is very comprehensive, with a lot of information on experiments, data analysis, and findings. This guy knows his stuff.

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Interesting book, needed it for a college class.

September 7, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It is definitely a book that can be used to learn about ones ancestry past our general idea of generations. This explains how we came to be as modern humans. It goes through our relationships with apes and how genetically close we are to them. Detailed book on this subject, it goes along with the basis of biological anthropology. I am currently using this for a my race and racism class at my university.

One person found this helpful

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July 28, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

The author takes a very complex subject and makes it easy to understand. You do not need any prior knowledge of the subject. I highly recommend it.

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Cecilia Alvarez

July 15, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Fast service and a great book to read!

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Happy to receive Reflections of the Past

June 21, 2012

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Reflections of the Past is a book my son, a Geographer, asked for and he is very happy to receive this book. He will use it in his college classes next Fall.
Sandra Y. Dixon

One person found this helpful

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Book that you will own, but won't realize it.

September 19, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I don't remember having this.

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English United States

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