Humans - by Sergio Almécija

About the Book

This book brings together more than a hundred top experts, who share their insights on the study of human evolution and what it means for understanding our past, present, and future.

Book Synopsis

How did humanity evolve? And what does our evolutionary history tell us about what it means to be human? These questions are fundamental to our identity as individuals and as a species and to our relationship with the world. But there are almost as many answers to them as there are scientists who study these topics.

This book brings together more than one hundred top experts, who share their insights on the study of human evolution and what it means for understanding our past, present, and future. Sergio Almécija asks leading figures across paleontology, primatology, archaeology, genetics, and many other disciplines about their lives, their work, and the philosophical significance of human evolution. They reflect on questions that are both fun and profound: What set you down your career path? Are humans special? Where and when would you travel in a time machine? Does human evolution offer lessons for society? Is evolution compatible with spirituality and religion?

Humans features a remarkably accomplished cast of contributors, including Kay Behrensmeyer, Frans de Waal, Nina Jablonski, Richard Leakey, Robert Sapolsky, and Richard Wrangham. Together, they provide a refreshing, personable, engaging, cross-disciplinary, and thought-provoking exploration of different--even diametrically opposed--ideas about our nature and evolution, what makes humans unique, and what our future might hold. This book also offers practical suggestions for readers seeking to embark on a scientific career.

Review Quotes

[Humans] will stimulate those curious about evolutionary developmental biology.-- "The Quarterly Review of Biology"

A 'top picks by scientists' recommended read.-- "Carol Ward, The Leakey Foundation"

[The] organization and the choice of interviewees is a refreshing one--it's rare you can directly compare thoughts on some of the most profound questions on human nature from scientists raised in sharply differing traditions of thought.-- "Paleontological Society"

I can heartily recommend this book to any fellow human. However, those of us who have long been enthralled by our species' place within nature and our evolution as primates will be especially interested.-- "Trilobite Tales"

A fascinating new book edited by a leading researcher at the American Museum of Natural History. Provides an insightful analysis into the origins and the future of our species. Research scientist Sergio Almécija has compiled an eminent list of contributors. A remarkable book ... designed to permit the reader to dip in and out of it, to explore a variety of topics and to gain fresh insights and perspectives.-- "Everything Dinosaur"

Humans is an extraordinary book. It is unlike anything I have ever previously encountered and is fascinating as well as important from a scholarly perspective.--John G. Fleagle, Distinguished Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Sergio Almécija has produced a most intriguing book that describes the hypotheses, hopes, fears, and beliefs of an extraordinary gathering of scientific scholars in the field of human evolution. Debate is lively among those who wrestle with the details of our origins, and it is certain that this fascinating, remarkable and insightful book will be welcomed by all.--Don Johanson, discoverer of Lucy and founder of the Institute of Human Origins

This wide-ranging compendium... deliver[s] intriguing insights. The result is a panoramic view of the state of evolutionary science.-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

Sergio Almécija is a senior research scientist at the American Museum of Natural History.