The First Human: The Race to Discover Our Earliest Ancestors
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This dynamic chronicle of the race to find the "missing links" between humans and apes transports readers into the highly competitive world of fossil hunting and into the lives of the ambitious scientists intent on pinpointing the dawn of humankind. Through scrupulous research and vivid first-person reporting, The First Human takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the intense challenges of fossil hunting on a grand competitive scale. KLIATT Gibbons provides a detailed account of the long hunt for our earliest ancestors. The book outlines a clear history of every expedition and discovery that led to finding the oldest fossils. Gibbons mainly focuses on the paths of four teams, competing fiercely and passionately. The cast of unique characters is introduced slowly and the hunt plays out as a race, which makes for an excellent story. The book is well researched and incredibly informative. No need to already be an expert on the topic or an avid enthusiast—Gibbons makes it accessible and interesting enough for any reader. For those already interested in paleontology or anthropology, this book is a perfect companion. For those new to the field, expect to learn a lot about fossils and the history of humans. A bit slow paced, but this could be an excellent resource for this topic.
Map : the cradle of humanity"First human" fossil finds by yearTime line : the human familyThe fossil huntersPt. 1Ancient footsteps23Ch. 1African trailblazers25Ch. 2Continental divide46Ch. 3The early ancestor59Ch. 4Drawing bloodlines70Ch. 5Lucy, the late ancestor79Ch. 6Defining humans88Ch. 7Banishment98Pt. 2The decade of discovery117Ch. 8The lady of the lake119Ch. 9A view from afar129Ch. 10The root ape137Ch. 11West side story153Ch. 12Turf wars166Ch. 13Toeing the line180Ch. 14Millennium man193Ch. 15Toumai208Pt. 3Wisdom of the bones223Ch. 16Bones of contention225Ch. 17Habitat for humanity236
