Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors | 
 enlarge | Author: Nicholas Wade
Publisher: Penguin
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  82 reviews
Sales Rank: 17669
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8
ISBN: 014303832X
Dewey Decimal Number: 576
EAN: 9780143038320
ASIN: 014303832X
Publication Date: March 27, 2007
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Product Description
Nicholas Wades articles are a major reason why the science section has become the most popular, nationwide, in the New York Times. In his groundbreaking Before the Dawn, Wade reveals humanitys origins as never beforea journey made possible only recently by genetic science, whose incredible findings have answered such questions as: What was the first human language like? How large were the first societies, and how warlike were they? When did our ancestors first leave Africa, and by what route did they leave? By eloquently solving these and numerous other mysteries, Wade offers nothing less than a uniquely complete retelling of a story that began 500 centuries ago.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 77 more reviews...
Well-written, Infomative, and sometimes speculative December 1, 2008
And what else could you expect from this type of work?
Anytime an author ventures beyond mere facts you will have two outcomes. One is that those who hold to an opposing view will disagree with the conclusions. For an example of this consider the Out-of-Africa view vs. the multiregionalist view. Yes, there are some controversial issues he discusses (such as the Ashkenazic Jews being genetically wired for higher intelligence and Greenburg's classification of languages), but he does the mention opposing viewpoints. The other outcome is that the writing will be smooth, integrated and pleasant to read.
The most enjoyable thing about the book is that the author attempts to integrate many different scientific disciplines. From linguistics, genetics, psychology, biology, history, sociology, anthropology, etc. - he really presents a holistic approach where these varied specialists can look beyond their areas of study and integrate the fruits of other scientists into finding their missing puzzle pieces. What also seems to come out of the book is the resistance by some scientists in recognizing the value of this approach.
If you are looking for a good read and have enjoyed any of Bryan Sykes' books or the book 'Deep Ancestry' then you will most likely find this a nice, easy read and very entertaining.
As with any book that assumes evolution is true and unassailable, I would issue that caveat to any creationist that may want to read. Hence the four stars.
 Very Interesting Read. October 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A fascinating look into human evolution. He leaves out a lot of the human interest filler and chocks his book full of facts and theories.
Great Book September 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I recommend this book for any non-anthropologist that needs a good background in the beginnings of the human race.
Ammo for conservatives September 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a comprehensive history (or strictly speaking prehistory) of humanity up until recent times, which is to say twenty thousand years ago. I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it.
Wade is a superb science writer. For example, on page 13 there is what he calls "a one -paragraph summary of human genetics" and he really does achieve this, quite clearly, in half a page.
Some of the biases and over-simplifications could provide ammunition for racists and male chauvinists. He is strongly in favor of evolutionary psychology, and fails to present any of the arguments against it. He also espouses Richard Klein's theory about the sudden emergence of language 50,000 years ago. Here he is "more royalist than the king." Richard Klein himself, in his books, such as "The Dawn of Human Culture," is careful to present the scientific evidence both for and against his theories.
I thought the discussion of Joseph Greenberg's theories about language was better because he gives the arguments on both sides.
He over-simplifies the complexity of linking a particular medical condition, particularly a psychiatric condition, to a particular stretch of DNA.
Perhaps for the sake of a good story, he takes seriously the fanciful genealogies linking people to figures like Genghis Kahn and Aaron. I suspect that even the original authors of these theories had their tongues in their cheeks.
Engrossing June 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Wonderful a book of distinction. Relates well with Spenser Wells.
The whole National Geographics / genographic project has opened a new world of understanding.
A global revolution.
Dik in Henderson, nv
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