Hands - (Princeton Science Library) by John Napier (Paperback)

About the Book

The late John Napier was a physician specializing in hands, and he was also a professor and writer on primates and evolution. In this illustrated work, Napier explores a wide range of absorbing subjects such as fingerprints, handedness, gestures, fossil remains, and the making and using of tools. University of Chicago Professor of Anthropology Russell Tuttle updates Napier's work.

Book Synopsis

Intended for all readers--including magicians, detectives, musicians, orthopedic surgeons, and anthropologists--this book offers a thorough account of that most intriguing and most human of appendages: the hand. In this illustrated work, John Napier explores a wide range of absorbing subjects such as fingerprints, handedness, gestures, fossil remains, and the making and using of tools.

Review Quotes

"[John Napier's] book is deliberately 'not too technical, ' light and full of wit. . . . Fingerprints, gestures, nerves, bone, hand hair--all are given attention . . . in this interesting survey."-- "Scientific American"

"Each fascinating chapter in this book is a conjured mixture of anecdote, entertainment, and instruction."-- "Annals of Human Biology"

"Maybe Newton was right about the thumb [that it was evidence of God's existence], but there is far more to arouse wonder in the hand than he knew, and Dr. Napier indicates its scope with authority and imagination."-- "The New York Times Book Review"

About the Author

The late John Napier was a physician specializing in hands, and was also a professor and writer on primates and evolution. Russell H. Tuttle is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Chicago.