<div>An “absorbing” look at how our species evolved, from the curator of human evolution at the American Museum of Natural History (Kirkus Reviews). What makes us so different from those other animals? How did we get this way? How do we know? And what exactly are we? These questions are what make human evolution a subject of general fascination. Ian Tattersall, one of those rare scientists who is also a graceful writer, addresses them in this delightful book. Tattersall leads the reader around the world and into the far reaches of the past, showing what the science of human evolution is up against—from the sparsity of evidence to the pressures of religious fundamentalism. Looking with dispassion and humor at our origins, Tattersall offers a wholly new definition of what it is to be human. “Unparalleled insight.” —Donald C. Johanson, author of Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind</div>

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The Monkey in the Mirror

<div>&ldquo;The next best thing to actually seeing the prehistoric cave art of southern Franc[e] . . . A rapturous guide through five major Ice Age sites&rdquo; (Archaeology). The cave art of France&rsquo;s Dordogne region is world-famous for the mythology and beauty of its remarkable drawings and paintings. These ancient images of lively bison, horses, and mammoths, as well as symbols of all kinds, are fascinating touchstones in the development of human culture, demonstrating how far humankind has come and reminding us of the ties that bind us across the ages. Over more than twenty-five years of teaching and research, Christine Desdemaines-Hugon has become an unrivaled expert in the cave art and artists of the Dordogne region. In Stepping-Stones she combines her expertise in both art and archaeology to convey an intimate understanding of the &ldquo;cave experience.&rdquo; Her keen insights communicate not only the incomparable artistic value of these works but also the near-spiritual impact of viewing them for oneself. Focusing on five fascinating sites, including the famed Font de Gaume and others that still remain open to the public, this book reveals striking similarities between art forms of the Paleolithic and works of modern artists and gives us a unique pathway toward understanding the culture of the Dordogne Paleolithic peoples and how it still touches our lives today. &ldquo;Her vivid descriptions help readers visualize the Cro-Magnon man or woman painting the beautiful bison, horses, mammoths, and other symbols. [A] fine reading experience.&rdquo; &mdash;Library Journal</div>

Stepping-Stones

<div>&ldquo;Wine is art. Wine is ritual. Wine is culture. Wine is romance. But in the hands of Tattersall and DeSalle . . . we learn that wine is also science.&rdquo;&mdash;Neil deGrasse Tyson A Wall Street Journal Best Book for Wine Lovers An excellent bottle of wine can be the spark that inspires a brainstorming session. Such was the case for Ian Tattersall and Rob DeSalle, scientists who frequently collaborate on book and museum exhibition projects. When the conversation turned to wine one evening, it almost inevitably led the two&mdash;one a palaeoanthropologist, the other a molecular biologist&mdash;to begin exploring the many intersections between science and wine. This book presents their fascinating, freewheeling answers to the question &ldquo;What can science tell us about wine?&rdquo; And vice versa. Conversational and accessible to everyone, this colorfully illustrated book embraces almost every imaginable area of the sciences, from microbiology and ecology (for an understanding of what creates this complex beverage) to physiology and neurobiology (for insight into the effects of wine on the mind and body). The authors draw on physics, chemistry, biochemistry, evolution, and climatology, and they expand the discussion to include insights from anthropology, primatology, entomology, Neolithic archaeology, and even classical history. The resulting volume is indispensable for anyone who wishes to appreciate wine to its fullest. &ldquo;Chemistry. Evolutionary biology. Genetics. This book is an excellent layman&rsquo;s refresher on these diverse topics, and many more, and how they fit into the grand scheme of wine . . . A fact-packed and accessible read that goes a long way toward explaining why and how wine became such an important component in our enjoyment of the natural world.&rdquo;&mdash;Wine Spectator</div>

A Natural History of Wine

<div>&ldquo;An engaging and complex examination of the development of the human brain throughout its evolutionary history&rdquo; (Publishers Weekly). After several million years of jostling for ecological space, only one survivor from a host of hominid species remains standing: us. Human beings are extraordinary creatures, and it is the unprecedented human brain that makes them so. In this delightfully accessible book, the authors present the first full, step-by-step account of the evolution of the brain and nervous system. Tapping the very latest findings in evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and molecular biology, Rob DeSalle and Ian Tattersall explain how the cognitive gulf that separates us from all other living creatures could have occurred. They discuss &bull; The development and uniqueness of human consciousness &bull; How human and nonhuman brains work &bull; The roles of different nerve cells &bull; The importance of memory and language in brain functions, and much more Our brains, they conclude, are the product of a lengthy and supremely untidy history&mdash;an evolutionary process of many zigs and zags&mdash;that has accidentally resulted in a splendidly eccentric and creative product.</div>

Ian Tattersall
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Books By Ian Tattersall (3 Books)

The Monkey in the Mirror

A Natural History of Wine

The Brain

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Ian TattersallFollow this author

Books By Ian Tattersall (3 Books)

The Monkey in the Mirror

A Natural History of Wine

The Brain

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© 2024 OPEN ROAD INTEGRATED MEDIA

Ian Tattersall
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