No, I haven’t. The difference between Wrangham’s book and hers is, I believe, the time period: Wrangham talks about Lower Paleolithic, Zuk, I think, focuses on Upper Paleolithic.
And I am not going to read any reviews because I really want to read the book first. I get like that when I am convinced I will like something—it’s some sort of romantic-, blind-love thing.
Ok, it sounds interesting and will go on my list. I’m currently reading Chris Stringer’s “The Origin of Our Species”. He focuses on the development of Homo Sapiens Sapiens. Blind love huh? And so close to Valentine’s day!
I thoroughly enjoyed Wrangham’s book and his thesis was sound.
Not according to the latest Scientific American’s Special Collector’s Edition, titled “What Makes Us Human.” Have you seen it? If not, don’t! Wrangham is supposedly making things up, but Jablonski knows exactly why our brains began to swell in the first place: it’s because we lost our hair. Whatever. And then there was some stupid article by some obnoxious philosopher who knows exactly why Pinker, Buss et al. are all wrong. Not sure why I am writing all this—I am probably still pissed.
There’s always some faux scholar out to make a name for himself by attacking a high profile researcher like Pinker. It would be interesting to read his refutations but I don’t have the time. Right now I’m reading “How the Mind Works”. And as to Wrangham’s book his research and conclusions are sound enough for me at this point.
You really don’t need to read it, Jack. Glossy pages with beautiful illustrations and diagrams, but that’s about it. I had no idea Scientific American was such garbage.
That’s sad in a way because Scientific American has had some pretty insightful articles in past issues, but maybe they have fallen prey to the profit motive rather than advancing and popularizing science. I mean look at Oz and the History channel. Both disappointing because they could have served as a conduit for sound scientific evidence. It really hacks me off to see a medium misused.
I finished some days ago Mary Shelleys Frankenstein(and next day, went to see play about it to finnish national theatre). It has something very important to say about bad sides of human nature, lot to consider. Maybe i write more about it later.
Village Atheist, looking for advice. I finished “Battle Cry of Freedom” by McPherson. Very good. Too short, but very good.
I’m moving on to the Reconstruction phase now. Unfortunately the Oxford series book for Reconstruction has not yet been written.
I’m thinking Foner’s book?.... any thoughts?
I like large 750-900 page single volumes giving a good thorough treatment of the different eras so I can move on through time.
Foner’s book appears to be well acclaimed.
If you have better ideas let me know. Really wanted the Oxford book, but I aint waiting that long.
Perhaps 2 smaller volumes by different authors-on Reconstruction?
Let me know….Thanks.
Anything by Foner is good. I like his writing style, not too pedantic and aimed at a broader audience. I suggest his “Reconstruction: America’s unfinished Revolution…” for starters. Be prepared to be angry at hack politicians, corruption, unbridled robber barons and the destruction of the Natives of the Far West. Not much in the way of foreign policy though. There were a few bright spots like Edison and his minions. Also the rise of labor unions and feuding in Appalachia!
Oops, sorry, you wanted two. Add anything by John Hope Franklin. He does have a book out on Reconstruction, and while he writes extensively on the Civil War! he has branched out to include Reconstruction. Franklin BTW is the premier African-American historian and an expert on the period.
Village Atheist, looking for advice. I finished “Battle Cry of Freedom” by McPherson. Very good. Too short, but very good.
I’m moving on to the Reconstruction phase now. Unfortunately the Oxford series book for Reconstruction has not yet been written.
I’m thinking Foner’s book?.... any thoughts?
I like large 750-900 page single volumes giving a good thorough treatment of the different eras so I can move on through time.
Foner’s book appears to be well acclaimed.
If you have better ideas let me know. Really wanted the Oxford book, but I aint waiting that long.
Perhaps 2 smaller volumes by different authors-on Reconstruction?
Let me know….Thanks.
Just started The Price of Inequality by Joseph E. Stiglitz. Interesting so far, presents lots of statistics in a conversational manner, along with a ton of footnotes for futher reference.
I’ve read John Hope Franklin. Haven’t read Foner. I’ll take you up on that one. I’ll have to look at Battle cry of freedom. I love to read history books.
