Human evolution : an illustrated introduction

I am an athro grad and felt I needed an update, having been away from the field for some time. This is a great overview of current thinking in the field. Terminology has changed. New concepts have evolved. It's just what I wanted. I don't know WHY hominids are now hominins, but the author almost apologetically informs me that's the way it is, so I've got to change. OK, if I have to, I guess. I'm somewhat dumbfounded by these other reviews. I can't imagine why Roten calls this book awful. In what way? The writing is clear. It's not the least bit boring, and he doesn't overwhelm you with arcane detail. If you want a popularist treatment of the subject, go for it. You can always read a Donald Johansen book and listen to him brag about himself. This book isn't out to entertain you, but to inform you. I read half of this on an airplane and was captivated. Another three-star review says he is continually reminded this is a textbook. Well, duh! It IS a textbook used, among other places, at Oxford. And there's nothing at all wrong or poor about the pictures or illustrations. They are very helpful.And, no, it doesn't have Homo florensis. That was only first detailed in late 2004. This book came out in 2005, so the text must have been finished prior. There is no way it could have included florensis. It is updated every five years and is in its fifth edition. I'm sure the author will include florensis next time. Be patient. Florensis isn't such a big deal anyway. Most anthropologists think it is an island-isolated erectus anyway. It doesn't 're-write' paleontology. Oh, wait! The news stories say it did!My only mild criticism of the book is that it is too short with too little detail. But for what it is and what it is intended to be, it's great! Highly recommended. The Brief Length And Focused Coverage Of Human Evolution : An Illustrated Introduction Have Made This Best-selling Textbook The Ideal Complement To Any Biology Or Anthropology Course In Which Human Evolution Is Taught. The Fifth Edition Has Been Thoroughly Updated To Include Coverage Of The Latest Discoveries And Perspectives.--jacket. Pt. 1. Human Evolution In Perspective -- Unit 1. Our Place In Nature -- Unit 2. Human Evolution As Narrative -- Unit 3. Historical Views -- Unit 4. Modern Evolutionary Theory -- Unit 5. The Physical Context Of Evolution -- Unit 6. Extinction And Patterns Of Evolution -- Pt. 2. Background To Human Evolution -- Unit 7. Dating Methods -- Unit 8. Systematics : Morphological And Molecular -- Unit 9. Science Of Burial -- Unit 10. Primate Heritage -- Pt. 3. Humans As Animals -- Unit 11. Bodies, Size, And Shape -- Unit 12. Bodies, Brains, And Energy -- Unit 13. Bodies, Behavior, And Social Structure -- Unit 14. Nonhuman Models Of Early Hominins -- Pt. 4. Hominin Beginnings -- Unit 15. Ape And Human Relations -- Unit 16. Origin Of The Hominoidea -- Unit 17. Origin Of Bipedalism -- Unit 18. Jaws And Teeth -- Unit 19. The Earliest Known Hominins : A History Of Discoveries -- Pt. 5. The Hominin Adaptation -- Unit 20. The Australopithecines -- Unit 21. Early Homo -- Unit 22. Hominin Relations -- Unit 23. Early Tool Technologies -- Pt. 6. Homo Erectus : Biology And Behavior -- Unit 24. The Changing Position Of Homo Erectus -- Unit 25. New Technologies -- Unit 26. Hunter Or Scavenger? -- Pt. 7. Origin Of Modern Humans -- Unit 27. The Neanderthal Enigma -- Unit 28. Anatomical Evidence -- Unit 29. Genetic Evidence -- Unit 30. Archeological Evidence -- Pt. 8. The Human Milieu -- Unit 31. Evolution Of Brain, Intelligence, And Consciousness -- Unit 32. The Evolution Of Language -- Unit 33. Art In Prehistory -- Pt. 9. New Worlds -- Unit 34. The Americas And Australia -- Unit 35. Origin Of Agriculture And The First Villagers -- Glossary. Roger Lewin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The brief length and focused coverage of Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction have made this best-selling textbook the ideal complement to any biology or anthropology course in which human evolution is taught. The text places human evolution in the context of humans as animals, while also showing the physical context of human evolution, including climate change and the impact of extinctions. Chapter introductions, numerous drawings and photographs, and an essential glossary all add to the accessibility of this text.The fifth edition has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of the latest discoveries and perspectives, including:

· New early hominid fossils from Africa and Georgia, and their implications
· New archaeological evidence from Africa on the origin of modern humans
· Updated coverage of prehistoric art, including new sites
· New perspectives on molecular evidence and their implications for human population history.

An Instructor manual CD-ROM for this title is available. Please contact our Higher Education team at HigherEducation@wiley.com for more information.

The brief length and focused coverage of Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction have made this best-selling textbook the ideal complement to any biology or anthropology course in which human evolution is taught. The text places human evolution in the context of humans as animals, while also showing the physical context of human evolution, including climate change and the impact of extinctions. Chapter introductions, numerous drawings and photographs, and an essential glossary all add to the accessibility of this text. The fifth edition has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of the latest discoveries and perspectives, including: New early hominid fossils from Africa and Georgia, and their implications New archaeological evidence from Africa on the origin of modern humans Updated coverage of prehistoric art, including new sites New perspectives on molecular evidence and their implications for human population history. An Instructor manual CD-ROM for this title is available. Please contact our Higher Education team at HigherEducation@wiley.com for more information "The brief length and focused coverage of Human Evolution : An Illustrated Introduction have made this best-selling textbook the ideal complement to any biology or anthropology course in which human evolution is taught. The fifth edition has been thoroughly updated to include coverage of the latest discoveries and perspectives."--Résumé de l'éditeur In 1863 Charles Darwin's friend and champion, Thomas Henry Huxley, published a landmark book, titled Evidences as to Man's Place in Nature.