Lucy, the Beginnings of Humankind: The Beginnings of Humankind

The value of this book hasn't diminished with the passage of time. It's compelling story of the growth of paleoanthropology in the 20th Century remains unmatched. Johanson's role should be known to most, but this personal relation endures as a landmark for those interested in the development of humanity. He's given us a lucid story of the life and work of the paleoanthropologist both in the field and laboratory. He is candid in assessing other workers and himself in tracing the line of descent from ape-like creatures to modern humans.

He opens with a peerless overview of the key figures in the field, their insights, prejudices, successes and failures. The field was dominated by British research. The small German community of scientists held little challenge, and American researchers were nonexistent. Heady with victories that had left the Victorian Empire firmly established, the British stoutly maintained that intelligent humans were the product of the North European environment. Tropic peoples were torpid and apathetic. The harsher conditions of Northern Europe had forced increased cranial capacity, leading to intelligence. Brain growth, in their view, had preceded human bipedalism. If cranial enlargement was shown to be of British origins, so much the better. The Piltdown find was a prime example of that scenario, nearly universally accepted as fitting into the preconceived assumption.

When a tiny skull found in 1925 in South Africa indicated that a human ancestor walked upright over a million years ago, there was consternation. Modern human roots couldn't be African and bipedalism before intelligence seemed outlandish. The Taung Child, however, couldn't be refuted, increasing the attention to African origins. Louis Leakey led the campaign and his many striking finds captured headlines and brought notoriety. And funding. More importantly, the new discoveries at last made it possible to begin drawing lines of human descent. While the Leakey team disclosures pushed the age of human origins into a more distant past, it was Johanson's discovery of an unusually complete skeleton that rocked the world. Finding ancestral human more than three million years old unseated the Leakey team as the leading paleoanthropological group and catapulted Johanson to the top.

Johanson's account of making the find and his subsequent discoveries makes vivid reading. His outlook is modest enough, admitting to uncommon luck and the support of a talented team. He also shows the value of perseverance in his field. None of this detracts from the science and the struggle he and Tim White endured in presenting Lucy as a likely ancestor to us. The later clash with the Leakey family was disconcerting at a time when some unity was needed to establish the path human evolution has taken. All these circumstances are related without rancour, done in a highly effective homey style. Johanson's respect is deserved, both as a writer and field researcher.

The shining jewel in this account remains the description of a seminar given to Johanson's graduate students by Owen Lovejoy. Lovejoy, an expert in animal locomotion, gives the clearest brief account of the course of human evolution yet offered. In a mere twenty-some pages, he shows how humans departed from other primates in bipedalism, sexual and child- rearing habits leading to modern family and community relationships. If for nothing else, this essay gives this book inestimable value. It remains unmatched, and belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in our origins. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

The best book on paleoanthropology (2/3 people found this helpful)

This is surely the most interesting book I have ever read.It is hard to let go once you start reading.Donald Johanson takes the reader into the field with him , and makes him part of the excitement.A must read book.

Paleoanthropology for Dummies.... (1/1 people found this helpful)

Although this book is written by a very prestigeous scientist, it is remarkably easy to read. For those who think these studies are difficult to understand, this book is quintessential for your library. His writing style makes it seem like more of a story than a history lesson. I read it as a teenager and couldn't put it down.

Riveter !! (0/0 people found this helpful)

This book is a riveter. I could not put it down and read well into the next morning. The background information and private political insights were very informative. I remember as a youngster seeing a short clip on the news about Lucy. This book brings her to life. Dr. Johanson has almost convinced me to do paleoanthropology for a living rather than as a hobby. A very welcome and valuable addition to my private library.

This book is a wonderful work on paleoanthropology. (0/0 people found this helpful)

Johanson has a writing style that instantly draws the reader into the book. He gives a good history of paleoanthropology before heading into the real story about his own fossil finds. Three quarters of the book is narritive on the years he was in the field interlaced with short stories about other paleoanthropologists. He writes with an unbiased, pleasent style that is lacking in most scientists. The book is written so well that most people even if they are not interested in the topic could get enjoyment from it. Its a gripping work that blends the history of paleoanthropology with modern techniques and Johanson's enlightening insight into a remarkably enjoyable scientific work.

Donald C. Johanson, Maitland Armstrong Edey

Reader Reviews:

A jewel to treasure (6/6 people found this helpful)

The best book on paleoanthropology (2/3 people found this helpful)

Paleoanthropology for Dummies.... (1/1 people found this helpful)

Riveter !! (0/0 people found this helpful)

This book is a wonderful work on paleoanthropology. (0/0 people found this helpful)

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