Remarkable Creatures:
Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species
by Sean B. Carroll
Excellent! Just the right depth of field to make me understand the monumental significance of the discoveries made by the scientists, but not so bogged down in details that I got tired reading. I enjoyed every single minute.
He started out reviewing travelers of naturalists and explorers and how their significant journeys unfolded, but soon merely told life stories of the discoverers. This made sense, because many of the modern researchers sit in a lab or stay close to home, but still make fascination journeys--of time and space and of the mind! And also, while Darwin's ocean voyage was an episode of importance and made a convenient chapter in the book, it wouldn't have been possible to include all of the many expeditions led by Louis or Mary Leakey.
One thing I found very puzzling. On the chapters about human DNA analysis, he repeatedly said that there was no mixing of Neanderthal with modern human DNA. For example, he said this:
While this is yet more supporting evidence that Neanderthals did not mix with modern humans or contribute to modern human evolution....
Very confusing. Possibly he is just pointing out that the latest waves of human progression out of African did not include any Neanderthal DNA. Which we believe is true. But misleadingly stated.
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