Fascinating discoveries

Fascinating discoveries, got me even more interested in ancient DNA, but the structure/storytelling could be improved. The narrator did not help either

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Ground breaking seminal piece of work

As an archaeologist, my opinion of this book is that it is groundbreaking for thr study of archaeology and the understanding of human evolution, even to the point of changing our understanding - yet again - of British archaeology.

Because it covers a emerging area of scrience which for us archaeologists, is not a natural habitat, it is a struggle to follow, but only because every paragraph seems to contain a new nugget of understanding.

Tom Higham and Dr Alice Roberts have both expressed a concern that the study of the genome is radically changing our understanding of archaeology, but that very few archaeologists understand this emerging discipline...or perhaps want to. To quote the "Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams, " What is the point of discussing whether or not God exists, if this thing bleeding well gives you his phone number the next morning"

I get the feeling that this is where some archaeologists maybe heading!!

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Very enlightening

This book has been an excellent update on the science of genealogy and the vast strides that have been made in the last decade regarding both the extraction and understanding of DNA sequences. Tracking the movements of people has given a far better understanding of where humans came from and how they spread throughout the world. Knowledge of the admixture of populations has destroyed the myth of "pure-bred" lineages and showed us to be a mongrel race of both sapiens and their forebears. My only cavil is that, having gone to great lengths to explain the scientific methodology, he occasionally uses jewish mythology to illustrate his point. Stories may help to get a point across but it grates with real science.

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Fascinating discoveries

A must read if you are interested in ancient history. This story is only starting to unfold so great time to be picking it t

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An excellent summary of the latest science on population genetics.

This is a detailed summary of the latest science (c. 2018) on population genetics and in particular what this tells us about the mixing and movements of different populations over the last 50,000 years.
It tells a fascinating if complex and sometimes tentative story that shows how previous assumptions (for example on mixing between modern humans and Neanderthals) have repeatedly been overturned by the hard science of genetics.
There is also a very interesting chapter in which Reich clearly demonstrates the falsity of the assertion that there are no significant differences between populations.
A compelling account that shows how we have learned- and have yet to learn from this new science. Highly recommended.

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We may never know the answer

I felt this was well written, referenced and presented. I listened mainly on my daily commute and at times longed to understand better as I was distracted by traffic. Consequently I couldn’t say how many out of Africa waves there were, if it was even stated, and what happened next. So the title question is still unanswered for me. Perhaps this helped me understand that if you want to know something you need to give it your undivided attention. I particularly liked the last part addressing the sensitivity of DNA testing and the taboo of race and religion. Ultimately we are all here because of the many different paths taken by others we do not know. We are all related and we need to get on better. There is no them and us, just us.

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5 people found this helpful

Worth a listen. Give it a go!

This summaries how far we have come in analysing and understanding ancient humans' DNA, told succinctly as the journey our species has been on.
Easy to listen to and smoothly read (no length statistic tables to suffer through).
Great choice for a "included with membership" audiobook, and adds a lot of colour to all the amateur historians our their getting DNA tests and tracing their lineage and genealogy.

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Fascinating

Very solid position on human prehistory in light of modern genetics. Excessively anti racist at times but otherwise great.

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1 person found this helpful

Good book

Book is great and informative but at least at one place author of this book fell to what you would call Alt-Crap. Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

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Informative and objective

Reich gives a truly scholarly account and credible overview of the current knowledge of the peopling of the earth using genetic data. He systematically explains the methods used and the data collected in Eurasia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Far East and Oceania and on the African continent. He pertinently states the consequence of our advances in genetic sequencing through sequencing of deep ancestry specimens and has some compelling arguments for what we can expect.

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