Genealogy Books - The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: An eye opener
Comment: This book popularizes the results of the latest research on the history of homo sapiens over the
past 200,000 years from the traces this history left in the DNA of living people. While I have never
been particularly interested in molecular biology for its own sake, I found its use in prehistoric
detective work fascinating. I used to think of this kind of forensics as relying exclusively on
fossilized bones and artifacts dated with carbon 14. This book made me realize that every cell of
our body contains a detailed historical record, and that an astonishingly precise history of our
species can be inferred from comparisons of these records between individuals and populations. This
book opened my eyes on something new, and for this I am indebted to the author.

But
the book is not perfect. It lacks illustrations, and the few illustrations it does have are of poor
quality. Besides tree diagrams of chromosome markers, there are a few world maps that seem to be
grayscale renderings of color originals in which essential information was color-coded. Diagrams of
polymorphisms or the principle of dHPLC, for example, would have improved readability. I also have
quibbles with the author's use of vocabulary. He calls the common male and female ancestors to all
living human beings Adam and Eve, which is confusing because his Adam and Eve have nothing to do
with the biblical characters. They were not the first humans, and his Adam lived 100,000 years later
than his Eve. In addition, terms like "polymorphism" are not defined clearly and seem to be used
with different meanings throughout the book. Other terms, like "marker" or "microsatellite
diversity" are not explained. I also don't see much value in the quotations by authors ranging from
Gloria Steinem to T.S. Eliot at the head of each chapter, that don't have obvious connections to the
subject.

With these few reservations, I recommend it to all non-biologists who are
curious about our origins.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Response to "Journey Of Man"
Comment: Although the topic of the show was one that interests me enormously (I am a professor of History), I
was truly shocked by the blatant sexism of the content. Were there no women involved in the early
journeys of (as you kept repeating) "mankind"? It is not necessary to keep up some boring his/her
referencing, but it is necessary to throw in the occasional woman as a member of the human race. />E. Healey
Princeton, NJ

Customer Rating:

Summary: Extra informative on Indians from India is this book.
Comment: It's already been pointed out that Wells writes about the aryan dna in the inhabitants of India. He
proves the aryan in them is no myth. He also, as stated here in the reviews, writes of neolithic
middle eastern dna in the inhabitants of India. I further this one better by pointing out that he
also writes of a 30,000 year old dna strain in the people of India which came from the middle east
also. Surprisingly even these early people were not the first to reside in india.

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Y Chromosome Chips In
Comment: Spencer Wells has penned a welcome addition to the genetic history of humankind. The mitochondrial
DNA story is well known by now, and his analysis of the travels of the Y chromosome fills in an
important gap. For me, this book drives the final nail in the coffin of the multiregional theory of
human evolution.

Although it's eminently readable, it's helpful if the reader has taken
a semester course in genetics - and not one that's 30 years old, as it is in my case. I found that a
second, slower reading increased my understanding of the concepts. The illustrations are
particularly useful and I bookmarked some important ones to serve as a constant reference during my
reading.

As a student of human evolution and pre-history, Wells' book is a welcome
addition to my library of "how we came to be what we are."

Customer Rating:

Summary: Good companion to the video but could be a little more clear
Comment: I recently had the opportunity to read this companion to the excellent video which I saw on PBS when
it premiered in early 2003. I gave the video/DVD 5 stars. The book I give 4 stars for reasons which
I'll note. The book for the most part goes into more detail for the general/layman reader without
getting overly technical.

However, the book could have been improved by including more
detailed maps showing the places where the author traveled to or discussed - which are numerous.
While I had no problem following due to my knowledge of geography and travels, I suspect others may
not. From what I recall the maps shown in the book aren't labeled with country names, only arrows.
The book also starts to get a little confusing when the author talks about linguistics which support
his premise in the 2nd half of the book. It is also easy to lose track of the various genetic
trees and the short names for them. It was only when I neared the end of the book that a complete
tree was shown. If this had been put on the inside cover or earlier I think it would have
facilitated easier reading. The tree could also be labeled with which country the split occurred in
and when.

If I had not already seen the video it would have taken me longer to grasp
and accept the details of the author's premise in the book. The book should be able to stand more on
its own. With this said I still recommend this book, I would just suggest watching the video first,
and perhaps having a globe/atlas nearby for those geographically challenged.

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