Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

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.

Author: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 09/07/1993
Pages: 528
Weight: 1.12lbs
Size: 9.23h x 6.11w x 0.95d
ISBN: 9780345384720