50 Great Myths of Human Evolution

50 Great Myths of Human Evolution

Author: John H. Relethford

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2017-01-17

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 0470673923

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

50 Great Myths of Human Evolution uses common misconceptions to explore basic theory and research in human evolution and strengthen critical thinking skills for lay readers and students. Examines intriguing—yet widely misunderstood—topics, from general ideas about evolution and human origins to the evolution of modern humans and recent trends in the field Describes what fossils, archaeology, and genetics can tell us about human origins Demonstrates the ways in which science adapts and changes over time to incorporate new evidence and better explanations Includes myths such as “Humans lived at the same time as dinosaurs;” “Lucy was so small because she was a child;” “Our ancestors have always made fire;” and “There is a strong relationship between brain size and intelligence” Comprised of stand-alone essays that are perfect for casual reading, as well as footnotes and references that allow readers to delve more deeply into topics


The Myths of Human Evolution

The Myths of Human Evolution

Author: Niles Eldridge

Publisher:

Published: 1984-02-01

Total Pages: 195

ISBN-13: 9780231051453

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Examines the mechanism of evolution, criticizes the theory of constant adaptive change in terms of gaps in the fossil record, and looks at the evolution of humans


The Top 10 Myths about Evolution

The Top 10 Myths about Evolution

Author: Cameron M. Smith

Publisher: Prometheus Books

Published: 2009-09-25

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 1615921443

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In this concise, accessible, "myth-busters handbook," two renowned educators clearly dispel the ten most common myths about evolution. Using a refreshing, jargon-free style, they set the record straight that evolution is "just a theory." Illustrations.


Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You

Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You

Author: Agustín Fuentes

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2015-05

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 0520285999

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

There are three major myths of human nature: humans are divided into biological races; humans are naturally aggressive; and men and women are truly different in behavior, desires, and wiring. In an engaging and wide-ranging narrative, Agustín Fuentes counters these pervasive and pernicious myths about human behavior. Tackling misconceptions about what race, aggression, and sex really mean for humans, Fuentes incorporates an accessible understanding of culture, genetics, and evolution, requiring us to dispose of notions of “nature or nurture.” Presenting scientific evidence from diverse fields—including anthropology, biology, and psychology—Fuentes devises a myth-busting toolkit to dismantle persistent fallacies about the validity of biological races, the innateness of aggression and violence, and the nature of monogamy and differences between the sexes. A final chapter plus an appendix provide a set of take-home points on how readers can myth-bust on their own. Accessible, compelling, and original, this book is a rich and nuanced account of how nature, culture, experience, and choice interact to influence human behavior.


The Mythology of Evolution

The Mythology of Evolution

Author: Chris Bateman

Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

Published: 2012-09-16

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1780996497

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book liberates evolution from misrepresentative scientific myths to find a more nuanced vision of life that shows how advantages persist, trust is beneficial, and the diversity of species emerges.


Man the Hunted

Man the Hunted

Author: Donna Hart

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-04-17

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 0429978715

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Man the Hunted argues that primates, including the earliest members of the human family, have evolved as the prey of any number of predators, including wild cats and dogs, hyenas, snakes, crocodiles, and even birds. The authors' studies of predators on monkeys and apes are supplemented here with the observations of naturalists in the field and revealing interpretations of the fossil record. Eyewitness accounts of the 'man the hunted' drama being played out even now give vivid evidence of its prehistoric significance. This provocative view of human evolution suggests that countless adaptations that have allowed our species to survive (from larger brains to speech), stem from a considerably more vulnerable position on the food chain than we might like to imagine. The myth of early humans as fearless hunters dominating the earth obscures our origins as just one of many species that had to be cautious, depend on other group members, communicate danger, and come to terms with being merely one cog in the complex cycle of life.


Narratives of Human Evolution

Narratives of Human Evolution

Author: Misia Landau

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 1993-01-01

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 9780300054316

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Aims to uncover a hidden level of agreement among theories of human evolution. Analyzing classic texts on evolution by Darwin and Keith as well as relatively recent accounts by Dart, Robinson and Tobias, the book reveals that they have a common narrative form based on the universal hero tale.


The Story of the Human Body

The Story of the Human Body

Author: Daniel Lieberman

Publisher: Vintage

Published: 2014-07-01

Total Pages: 482

ISBN-13: 030774180X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A landmark book of popular science that gives us a lucid and engaging account of how the human body evolved over millions of years—with charts and line drawings throughout. “Fascinating.... A readable introduction to the whole field and great on the making of our physicality.”—Nature In this book, Daniel E. Lieberman illuminates the major transformations that contributed to key adaptations to the body: the rise of bipedalism; the shift to a non-fruit-based diet; the advent of hunting and gathering; and how cultural changes like the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions have impacted us physically. He shows how the increasing disparity between the jumble of adaptations in our Stone Age bodies and advancements in the modern world is occasioning a paradox: greater longevity but increased chronic disease. And finally—provocatively—he advocates the use of evolutionary information to help nudge, push, and sometimes even compel us to create a more salubrious environment and pursue better lifestyles.