The Accidental Species by Henry Gee
The idea of a missing link between humanity and our animal ancestors predates evolution and popular science. The author takes aim at this misleading notion, arguing that it reflects a profound misunderstanding of how evolution works and, when applied to the evolution of our own species, supports mistaken ideas about our own place in the universe.
"If you only read one book on evolution this year, make it this oneYou will be dethroned. But you won't be disappointed." (Geoscientist) "A persuasive book.... Gee is good at explaining how fossil evidence has been (mis)interpreted to fit that famous picture of man rising from the ape, growing taller and wiser with each step before culminating in us. The reality, he points out, is very different: until recently (no later than 50,000 years ago) there were many species of humans across the world. Some, such as the Neanderthals, had brains at least as big as ours; while others, such as the diminutive 'hobbit' found on the Indonesian island of Flores, were more closely akin to the apes." (Financial Times)
Henry Gee is a senior editor at Nature and the author of such books as Jacob's Ladder, In Search of Deep Time, The Science of Middle-earth, and A Field Guide to Dinosaurs, the last with Luis V. Rey. He lives in Cromer, Norfolk, England, with his family and numerous pets.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780226271200 |
| ISBN 10 | 022627120X |
| Title | The Accidental Species |
| Author | Henry Gee |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | The University of Chicago Press |
| Year published | 2015-04-29 |
| Number of pages | 217 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |