Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors - Carl Sagan & Ann Druyan

Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

By Carl Sagan & Ann Druyan

  • Release Date: 1992-09-15
  • Genre: Life Sciences
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 37 Ratings

Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Exciting and provocative . . . A tour de force of a book that begs to be seen as well as to be read.”—The Washington Post Book World

World renowned scientist Carl Sagan and acclaimed author Ann Druyan have written a Roots for the human species, a lucid and riveting account of how humans got to be the way we are. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a thrilling saga that starts with the origin of the Earth. It shows with humor and drama that many of our key traits—self-awareness, technology, family ties, submission to authority, hatred for those a little different from ourselves, reason, and ethics—are rooted in the deep past, and illuminated by our kinship with other animals.

Sagan and Druyan conduct a breathtaking journey through space and time, zeroing in on critical turning points in evolutionary history, and tracing the origins of sex, altruism, violence, rape, and dominance. Their book culminates in a stunningly original examination of the connection between primate and human traits. Astonishing in its scope, brilliant in its insights, and an absolutely compelling read, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a triumph of popular science.

Reviews

  • A Must Read!

    5
    By CaryMGVR
    I just got through watching "Cosmos" & decided to GOOGLE any other books besides that & "Contact" he had written. I came across *this*, downloaded the sample, got hooked, bought the entire thing & immediately went through it. About Carl -- and his lovely & likeminded wife Ann -- I can only say this: he's on a stamp for a reason ....
  • So enlightening

    5
    By robpage
    I read it twice. Beautiful.

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