From Lucy to Language: Revised, Updated, and Expanded [Hardcover]

"From Lucy to Lanuage" is somewhat of a misleading title as it covers evidence from before Lucy and the discussion of the development of language is limited. However, it has a better ring to it than "From Sahelanthropus tchadenis to Language" and Lucy is probably one of the best know discoveries. (Donald Johnson by the way being one of the discoverers of Lucy).

Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the science of paleoanthropology (the study of ancient humans) and the evidence that has been accumulated on the evolutionary history of modern humans.

It is a large format book - a coffee table book size although most people don't leave books on their coffee table with picture of skulls in them. This large format allows for the often full size photographs of the evidence, which are simply magnificent photographs primarily taken by David Brill. Although I haven't counted them, I would guess there are over 100 pages of these photographs that allow you to see the actual evidence while it is being described in the text.

The book is divided into two major sections - the first hundred pages or so is called "Central Issues in Paleoanthropology" and this reviews key concepts and issues in the subject in a series of 48 short sections looking at everything from techniques of paleoanthropology, to problems of evidence to art. This is clearly written for the general reader and does a good job of explaining some difficult and often contentious areas without oversimplification. I liked the way they would use technical terms but explain them and repeat that explanation at various stages throughout the book. However,at one or two points it can become too superficial and more pop-science than serious science and there a few silly comments like "a prefrontal cortex that is more than 200% smaller than that of the human brain!". Fortunately these moments are rare.

The second section is called "Encountering the Evidence" and this presents, over about 150 pages, many of the major finds with a one or two page background on the find and its significance accompanied by a full page (or sometimes two pages) photograph of the actual evidence. To be able to see the evidence in so clear a way helps to understand the difficulies of collecting evidence, why there are often strong disagreements but at the end shows a strong case that there is a line of evolution that can be demonstrated.

In a very contentious and aggressive area of science, Johansen and Edgar, appear to have pulled together a balanced view of the current state of science including the very recent (and definitely contentious) Homo floresiensis find in Indonesia. Clearly Johanson has a view and expresses it but does reference diffences of opinion (if only briefly sometimes)

Apart from some of the occassional sloppy writing in the first section, two other minor quibbles. In the second section, each find is independently described within a species and the finds seem to be presented in estimated age of the specimin. This may seem to be logical but it does get a little confusing when the actual date of finds are in a different order as the narrative refers to events that you have not yet read about. One recurring and more irritating issue is in the editing. Words are missed out or misspelt and in a couple of the captions on the photograph the text is cut off at one end. A shame for such an otherwise well laid out book.

Overall, highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the issues in human evolution and actually see the evidence.

This is a fascinating, up to date survey of human evolution presented with lucid and thoroughly researched text. The standard of design and reproduction are also most professional and make it a volume fit to grace the shelves every school and university library. I found it rewarding on all levels.

It is also of sufficient weight to whack creationalists over the head even if they are unable to understand the content.

Jeff Clarke

I just bought the revised edition and also had the earlier edition so the updates were well needed since there's been a lot more discoveries since the first edition. The photographs are the best I have come across in a long time it's like being at the site and looking at them in there actual size. Great book overall and very informative.