Free Downloads Reconstructing Human Origins: A Modern Synthesis (Third Edition)
The definitive textbook for paleoanthropology courses.Reconstructing Human Origins is the most authoritative, comprehensive, and popular paleoanthropology textbook available. Respected anthropologists Glenn Conroy and new coauthor Herman Pontzer use clear writing and abundant, carefully chosen illustrations to illuminate key concepts and help students get the most out of the course. This definitive paleoanthropology text has been fully revised to keep pace with all of the exciting recent developments in the field.
Paperback: 672 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 3 edition (February 13, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393912892
ISBN-13: 978-0393912890
Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #67,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #38 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Anthropology > Physical #204 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Anthropology #314 in Books > Science & Math > Evolution
The information is great, as is the presentation (mostly), but the authors seem to occasionally forget early on that the subject is anthropology, not chemistry or mathematics. They have a tendency to "geek out" on related subjects and go into far too much unnecessary detail, causing the eyes to cross and muddling the important-to-the-reader information. For example, instead of going into the mathematical equation used to create radiocarbon dating, it would be more useful to stick with what it is, how it works (the isotopes break down at a predictable date, can be measured), what confounds it and how that is accounted for (calibration), and what conditions and samples are best suited to this kind of dating (not sure they ever explained that).The chapters tend to be about 3 times longer than they need to be because the authors tend to say the same thing in three different ways, and to go back over, extensively, the information presented so that one large section of each chapter is a complete re-stating of the rest of the chapter. They under-utilize lists and comparative tables that would present the same information more clearly with fewer words (eg, the differences and similarities of australopiths).There are far easier ways to get the information, but as required reading, it could be worse.
VERY technical and dense with information. It is by no means a casual read, even for the anthropologically and biologically minded. Great and extremely resourceful book, however. Great, balanced representation.
Fantastic book for those interested or researching in the field of human origins, biological anthropology, etc. They put together a very nice guide with clear wording and appropriate illustrations. Very nice book to add to the collection.
Difficult text...very difficult for an intro the Paleo-Anthropology. Used the powerpoints more than I used this book!
Book quality was good. No probmlems with shipping, everything went superb.
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