'The Descent of Woman' is a pioneering work, the first to argue for the equal role of women in human evolution. On its first publication in 1972 it created an international debate and became a rallying-point for feminism, changing the terminology of anthropologists forever. Starting with her demolition of the Biblical myth that woman was an afterthought to the creation of man, Elaine Morgan rewrites human history and evolution. This lively, informative book sets out to solve the riddle of our origins; its answer is controversial. Elaine Morgan has made the 'Aquatic Ape Hypothesis' a plausible alternative to conventional theories of evolution and 'The Descent of Woman' first set out an understanding of who humans are and where they come from.
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Review
"It was one of the most outrageous, improbable evolutionary ideas
ever proposed... now the idea... is becoming respectable." -- 'The Observer'
"Part feminist polemic, part evolutionary bombshell." -- 'The Guardian'
"She is more scientific than Genesis, more up to date than
Darwin... and she writes better than Desmond Morris."
-- 'Sunday Telegraph'
ever proposed... now the idea... is becoming respectable." -- 'The Observer'
"Part feminist polemic, part evolutionary bombshell." -- 'The Guardian'
"She is more scientific than Genesis, more up to date than
Darwin... and she writes better than Desmond Morris."
-- 'Sunday Telegraph'
About the Author
Elaine Morgan was best known as a writer for television until the publication of 'The Descent of Woman' in 1972, which became an international bestseller. She then spent ten years researching human evolution before publishing 'The Aquatic Ape' in 1982.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
We hear a lot today about the ascent of man or woman, how humans evolved. This seems to be logical how humans split from other primates. I found it interesting concerning Ms Morgan's view that by the time humans 'left' their aquatic lifestyle, there has only been one human species.
I do not disagree or agree with that. It hints at a possibility concerning those 'semi-species' that might have co-existed with modern man at any time prehistory - their differences may have been only racial rather than a separate human species. Ms Morgan suggests that even the earliest austropicalus africanus, were far more human like in appearance than the general view among experts.
Still, her view on why people are what they are seems logical enough. She argues in this book that it was 10 million years ago when certain apes were forced to take to the water for protection while in the book Aquatic Ape, she decided that it was only 5 million years ago.
But even if woman and man are much older, there is no reason why he and she couldn't have evolved from a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
A fascinating and interesting book.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Elaine Morgan's Descent of Woman argues against some of the oldest superstitions of "Tarzanian" (Ms Morgan's term) physical anthropology. Her seminal work casts serious doubt on the andro-centric hypotheses which ascribe Women's physical attributes to the sexual needs of men. Today her theories have been all but proved, yet her book still makes illuminating reading, and a source of wonder!
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Janet Raynor
Format:Paperback
I've bought about 5 copies of this book since the first edition was published in the 1970s: they were lent to friends because the book is so good, and not returned for the same reason.
Elaine Morgan provides a refreshing and plausible account of how we got where we are today, how you cannot consider evolution without considering women, and challenges many of the men-the-mighty-hunter myths.
What puzzles me is that her theories (based on Hardy) have now got wide-spread credence, but it is still possible to find recently-published books on evolution that make no reference to the aquatic theory.
A brilliant book: informative, readable ... and - added bonus - funny.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
descent of woman
shes a brilliant writer not frightened to state her views and qualifies it up with very feasable facts. Nice to see /read that women are on par if not above men!!
Published 7 days ago by susan roderick
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Descent of Woman
.Having read "Knock 'em Cold, Kid" I have further enjoyed the intellectual rigor and research of this book. Thoroughly enjoying it!
Published 12 days ago by John Gough
4.0 out of 5 stars
well worth having
We read this book decades ago, and were very impressed with its hypothesis. I don't think the quality of the reprint is quite as good as the original, but it's far better than some... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Taponne
5.0 out of 5 stars
A convincing and thoroughly entertaining read
Elaine Morgan is 92 and has just been given the freedom of the Rhondda Valley. I heard about this author recently on a BBC series on Welsh writers and wonder why her work and ideas... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dream Diver
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Descent of Woman
I purchased this book after seeing the first chapter in "The Observer" newspaper in 1972. The all the books after... I am such a fan... Read more
Published 4 months ago by R. J. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
stepping back into the early feminist movement
Two fascinating things here, first the freshness of the rights of women shown here (she was born in 1920 and I was born in 1929, so some 50s experience shared), and where our race... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ms Joy Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Theory
I really enjoyed this book and I think the aquatic ape theory deserves more research and recognition by experts. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars
fascinating, fun, clever and informative
I borrowed a copy and had to order a few more for interested friends.. Fascinating, clever, and enlightening on many aspects of male-female interaction. Interesting and funny.
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by E. Dalhuijsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
How women became oppressed....?
The Descent of Woman takes a critical look at how the theory of evolution, has become dogged by male prejudice. Read more
Published on 26 May 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cannot praise this book highly enough.
What can I say? This book makes perfect sense, rewrites history and gives a far more plausible explanation than the traditional Savannah theory.
Published on 30 May 2002
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