Out of Africa (An Epic of Human Ancestor Migration)

Author: (American) Spencer Wells, translated by Du Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: This is part of the epic of humanity. Wells traces prehistoric history in clear and captivating language, presenting the extremely complex issue of human genetics in such an elegant manner that it is rare among scientists. It is a rare and excellent popular science book. Wells speaks with the integrity of an intellectual, explaining what is real and what is speculation. In this book, American geneticist Spencer Wells uses DNA to guide us to every corner of the Earth, from the Sahara Desert to Siberia, from the Middle East to Australia, deciphering the genetic code of humans. He paints a grand picture of our ancestors' epic journey: leaving Africa, migrating to all parts of the world, and continuously conquering nature, reproducing, and creating language and culture during the process. Spencer Wells tells us why humans have differences in body shape, appearance, and skin color, and explains that humans share common biological traits, with no superiority or inferiority among races. He depicts the family tree of humankind, where the early human family had very few members and all lived on the African continent. Due to drought and famine, a group of people left their homeland and embarked on an adventurous journey. These branches spread out and extended to the ends of the world. We are all their children, and we share the same roots. The book includes chapters such as: Diverse Apes; Ape Man; Eve's Companion; Drifting Apart; Leaping; Blood in the Stone; The Weight of Culture, etc.