Principles of Human Evolution [Paperback]

Human evolutionary studies now encompasses such wide–ranging subject matter that accounts confined to simple narrations of the fossil record no longer suffice, while the pace of discovery creates a continuing demand for clear, balanced introductions to the subject. This book′s authors – an expert science communicator and a researcher who has had a major influence in broadening theoretical perspectives on human evolution – form a dream team to guide us through the subject′s complexities.

This much–expanded second edition of an established text differs from its predecessor and virtually every other treatment in its range and its emphasis on principles, whether of evolutionary theory, phylogenetics, behaviour, ecology or comparative frameworks. Whereas most accounts condense such fundamentals into an abbreviated introduction before homing in on the hominid fossil record, this book dedicates some 200 pages, or about 40 per cent of the text, to the subject. The approach is to view human evolution as exemplifying general evolutionary forces and processes that impact on hominids as on other species, not to treat human evolution as a one–off case for which issues of evolutionary dynamics, adaptation, ecology and so on have little, if any, relevance.

The book is impressively broad in scope, well organised and clearly written. Key issues are flagged up, with questions alongside the text to serve as prompts. Alternative interpretations are accurately summarised, with a balanced commentary and sufficient facts to indicate each argument′s basics without overloading detail. Each chapter ends with a "Beyond the facts" box summarising a current issue and its underlying concepts to stimulate further thought.

There are reasonable illustrations of important fossil specimens and excellent diagrams that greatly clarify issues of theory and interpretation. An associated website promises further resources.

I would have welcomed rather more coverage of the fossil evidence; on the other hand, there is a very clear pr?cis of genetic data bearing on modern human origins, and an excellent account of cognitive and behavioural aspects of human evolution.

The book is aimed at the US market but will find many takers this side of the Atlantic among anthropology, archaeology and evolutionary biology students. Inevitably, some aspects will quickly be overtaken by new discoveries. The website, if developed, will help here, but minor obsolescences matter little compared with the book′s great strength, which is to provide readers with an accessible, secure and comprehensive conceptual framework for human evolution, within which they can make sense of new developments.

Alan Bilsborough, University of Durham, Times Higher Education Supplement, February 2004 <!––end––>

The second edition of this successful text features the addition of Robert Foley, a leading researcher in Human Evolutionary Studies, to the writing team. Strong emphasis on evolutionary theory, ecology and behavior and scores of new examples reflect the latest evolutionary theories and recent archaeological finds. More than a simple update, the new edition is organized by issue rather than chronology, integrating behavior, adaptation and anatomy. A new design and new figure references make this edition more accessible for students and instructors.

• New author, Robert Foley – leading figure in Human Evolutionary Studies – joins the writing team.
  
• Dedicated website – www.blackwellpublishing.com/lewin – provides study resources and artwork downloadable for Powerpoint presentations.
  
• Beyond the Facts boxes – explore key scientific debates in greater depth.
  
• Margin Comments – indicate the key points in each section.
  
• Key Questions – review and test students’ knowledge of central chapter concepts and help focus the way a student approaches reading the text.
  
• New emphasis on ecological and behavioral evolution – in keeping with modern research.
  
• Fully up to date with recent fossil finds and interpretations; integration of genetic and paleoanthropological approaches.