The History and Geography of Human Genes

Book Description

L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza and his collaborators Paolo Menozzi and Alberto Piazza have devoted fourteen years to one of the most compelling scientific projects of our time: the reconstruction of where human populations originated and the paths by which they spread throughout the world. In this volume, the culmination of their research, the authors explain their pathbreaking use of genetic data, which they integrate with insights from geography, ecology, archaeology, physical anthropology, and linguistics to create the first full-scale account of human evolution as it occurred across all continents. This interdisciplinary approach enables them to address a wide range of issues that continue to incite debate: the timing of the first appearance of our species, the problem of African origins and the significance of work recently done on mitochondrial DNA and the popular notion of an "African Eve," the controversy pertaining to the peopling of the Americas, and the reason for the presence of non-Indo-European languages--Basque, Finnish, and Hungarian--in Europe.

The authors reconstruct the history of our evolution by focusing on genetic divergence among human groups. Using genetic information accumulated over the last fifty years, they examined over 110 different inherited traits, such as blood types, HLA factors, proteins, and DNA markers, in over eighteen hundred, primarily aboriginal, populations. By mapping the worldwide geographic distribution of the genes, the scientists are now able to chart migrations and, in exploring genetic distance, devise a clock by which to date evolutionary history: the longer two populations are separated, the greater their genetic difference should be. This volume highlights the authors' contributions to genetic geography, particularly their technique for making geographic maps of gene frequencies and their synthetic method of detecting ancient migrations, as for example the migration of Neolithic farmers from the Middle East toward Europe, West Asia, and North Africa.

Beginning with an explanation of their major sources of data and concepts, the authors give an interdisciplinary account of human evolution at the world level. Chapters are then devoted to evolution on single continents and include analyses of genetic data and how these data relate to geographic, ecological, archaeological, anthropological, and linguistic information. Comprising a wide range of viewpoints, a vast store of new and recent information on genetics, and a generous supply of visual elements, including 522 geographic maps, this book is a unique source of facts and a catalyst for further debate and research.

Customer Reviews:

What I got out of this book.......2005-05-07

I learned who the people closest genetically to Basques are. The French! Makes sense the French have a a portion of Basque country in their political nation of France. I'm of French background myself. French-Canadian that is.

Great book, if you can get through it..........2005-04-06

This book is very hard to get through as someone with no backing in genetics or biology, but it is very interesting, and it shows how we humans are really just like a couple thousand breeds of dogs, all slightly different, but with the same ancestor, our distant ancestor though was probably no wolf. It is interesting when they mention the little unexplainable historical abnormalities (african genes and caucasian genes in latin american indigenous populations, perhaps?) that they see in the genes of some groups of humans.

I allmost want to dedicate my life to genetics because of all the damn interesting knowledge that could be spawned from the information presented by the authors of this book. If you know anyone studying in this field, you must give them this book for christmas or something, please.

It is now my theory that human language has been the driving force behind human evolution, how often do two parents without a common language stay together 18+ years to raise a family? Just think about that, and it explains the human diaspora pretty well. Humans very rarely mate outside of their language group. You have a group of people in africa that speak the same language, then later on, two languages develop, or three or four, these people migrate off, and form a tribe, this tribe doesnt mate with other tribes because romance and love just dont work without a common language. Tribal names and language names are usually connected anyway, and this is why. When you read this book, you need to view humanity as an animal group pretty much, its very objective without any feeling. Human beings are creatures of communication, communication has driven our evolution forward. Writing started cities, before even that farming started widespread language and trading. It seems that the natural path this should take is more communication, but most people dont like to talk, fewer like to read and write, though that is our path of destiny as humans. The average american spends more money on lottery tickets every year than books. TV is far too widespread now, the love for books is dying, though civilization has allways been built upon the libraries of past civilizations, the histories of the victors.

Anyway,
The things that could be done if these scientists who wrote this book could get together to do research with the people that are at the tip of the spear in supercomputer research...

If you want to have some mental fun/anguish, then this book should be read in conjunction with 'Forbidden Archaeology' by Michael Cremo.

Try it =)

Note that this book is not made for the layman, but if you are a layman, and have a biology textbook laying around, you can get through it no problem.

Any one who is thinking of reading this book, or anyone who has should really do a bit of research on National Geographic's Genographic project that is collecting genetic information all over the world right now (the same migratory route tracing that is in this book) and building a huge database...The cool thing though is that you can send National Geographic $100, and they will send you a kit, you send a cheek swab back, and later on, they tell you everything that you ever wanted to know about your ancestors, and their migratory routes, back 60,000 years...
The database is also building daily, so the information that you will first get about your genes will get more comprehensive as time goes on, and more genetic samples are collected from 10's or 100's of thousands of people all over the planet...
Anyone who reads this book actually MUST do a google search on this National Geographic Genographic Project, right now =)

History and Geography of Homan Genes.......2004-06-09

This work, in hardback, is written with the advanced researcher in mind. The author is world famous for his pioneering efforts in identifying traits in particular traits in ethnic groups with unique genetic markers. The color plates in the index section can be helpful to those who know how to intrepret them.
It's a scholarly treatment of a highly technical subject and a thorough one as well. This is ground-breaking work collected from many samples and analyzed in detail. I think this should be required reading for college students in the field of genetic research.

A review of everything.......2003-06-17

Cavalli-Sforza presents the nearest approximation possible to the correlation of all measurable human genes, markers and attributes. You might think of the work as the "unified field theory" for evloutionary biology, culture and linguistics.

While the heft even of the abridged version is imposing, the component parts are manageable for those who already have basic statistical knowledge or who are willing to pay attention to the author's explanations. The world's populations are addressed in geographic chunks, and then at various appropriate points, more general conclusions drawn from the pieces.

Given the advances in genetic research acheived since publication, the model may ultimately prove more valuable than the particular contents...but for this decade the contents are fascinating.

Good Book, but Martel is Wrong.......2003-04-11

The book provided a great deal of information about genetic distances and the relationships between populations. However, Mr. Martel's review includes lies and these lies must be addressed. First of all, the native North Africans were not "very blonde" or "nordic". In fact, the ORIGINAL population was as black as their rock art depictions of themselves (which just so happen to span the Sahara and date back nearly 10000yrs). Many of these Ancient Saharans were, however, completely abosorbed by an incoming of migrants from the Middle East. Perhaps these migrants are the people Mr. Martel is speaking of??? At any rate, with the dessication of the Sahara, most of the original Saharans (blacks) migrated South into The Sudan. In fact, they can still be found in West Africa today. They (especially the Fulani and Dogon) can be recognized in person as easily as they can be recognized in the Ancient Saharan depictions drawn by their ancestors.

Thus, despite Mr. Martel's comments to the contrary, the admixture seen in North Africans today is not so much the result of slaves (modern admixture) as it is the result of both modern admixture as well as ancient admixture - admixture which took place LONG before the Arabs ventured anywhere near the region. As for the Egyptians, they were from the same stock as the rest of North Africa and they almost always depicted themselves as brown and intermediate between and separate from both the white people of the North (Europe), the light skinned Semites (Middle East), and the darker, more Sudanese people of the South (Nubia).

Mr. Martel is not completely wrong in so far as SOME of these Middle Eastern migrants had blonde hair and light eyes (a few individual Lybians were depicted this way). But, such features were most probably seen at the same rate theyre seen in Middle Easterners and North Africans today. Neither people, however, are "Nordics", and to assume they descend from Nordics based on hair color alone is ridiculous. Blondism occurs in Aborigines... are we to believe they descend from Nordics as well? Somehow, I think not.

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The History and Geography of Human Genes. (book reviews): An article from: Human Biology
John H. Relethford
Manufacturer: Wayne State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B00093MH3G
Release Date: 2005-07-28

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This digital document is an article from Human Biology, published by Wayne State University Press on August 1, 1995. The length of the article is 2007 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The History and Geography of Human Genes. (book reviews)
Author: John H. Relethford
Publication: Human Biology (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 1995
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Volume: v67 Issue: n4 Page: p673(5)

Article Type: Book Review

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THE HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF HUMAN GENES.

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THE HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF HUMAN GENES.
Luigi Luca et al. Cavalli-Sforza
Manufacturer: Princeton Univ. Press,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N7GN92

Book Description

This book not only emphasizes the potential biotechnological applications of the photosynthetic prokaryotes, but also describes their physiology, biochemistry, ecology and molecular biology. It is aimed at microbiologists in industry and the environmental services, as well as undergraduates and research workers.

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Phototrophic Prokaryotes
Gunter A., Ed. Peschek
Manufacturer: Plenum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 030645923X

Book Description

This book represents a concise scientific summary of the latest results of scientific research on Phototrophic prokaryotes. It covers in depth the huge variety of bacteria capable of utilizing light as their energy source, all aspects of structure and development, genetics and molecular biology, experimental and physiological ecology and taxonomy, and metabolism and bioenergetics.

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Structure of Phototrophic Prokaryotes

Manufacturer: CRC Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Electron Microscopes & Microscopy | Experiments, Instruments & Measurement | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

This book provides an in-depth review of the ultrastructure of the phototrophic bacteria and how electron microscopy is used in the study of light-harvesting antennae and reactions centers, as well as ecology. Topics discussed include detailed methods and models for the three basic types of photosynthetic apparatus. The thylakoid (cyanobacteria), intracytoplasmic chromatophore membrane (purple bacteria), and chlorosome (green bacteria) models are presented based on ultrastructural studies including ultra-thin sections, 3-D reconstruction of thick sections, freeze-fracture replicates, and immunolabeling. The book also explains how species of phototrophic bacteria can be identified in natural populations by their ultrastructure. Structure of Phototrophic Prokaryotes will be an invaluable reference resource for researchers and students working in photosynthesis and microbial ecology.

Chlorophyll b-containing oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes: oxychlorobacteria (prochlorophytes).: An article from: The Botanical Review

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Chlorophyll b-containing oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes: oxychlorobacteria (prochlorophytes).: An article from: The Botanical Review
Dilwyn J. Griffiths
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Botanical Review, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2006. The length of the article is 21244 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: The major ultrastructural and pigment characteristics of three chlorophyll b-containing photosynthetic prokaryote genera, Prochloron, Prochlorothrix, and Prochlorococcus, are summarized. Aspects of their ecology are reviewed, as are also the major findings of comparisons among the three genera, and between them and the cyanobacteria, based on analyses of nucleotide sequences. The information summarized is discussed to assess how closely the three genera are related and whether they form a natural taxonomic grouping within the cyanobacteria. It is concluded that, although much of the evidence points to substantial differences among the three genera, the convenience of keeping them together as a group, namely, Oxychlorobacteria (formerly Prochlorophyta), outweighs certain inconsistencies revealed by analysis of a range of objective criteria. Current views on the possible significance of the group to considerations of the evolution of green chloroplasts are also presented.

Citation Details
Title: Chlorophyll b-containing oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes: oxychlorobacteria (prochlorophytes).
Author: Dilwyn J. Griffiths
Publication: The Botanical Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 72 Issue: 4 Page: 330(37)

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Ecology of photosynthetic prokaryotes with special reference to meromictic lakes and coastal lagoons: Proceedings of an international seminar, Tvarminne ... 17-20 October 1985 (Acta Academiae Aboensis)

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Ecology of photosynthetic prokaryotes with special reference to meromictic lakes and coastal lagoons: Proceedings of an international seminar, Tvarminne ... 17-20 October 1985 (Acta Academiae Aboensis)

Manufacturer: Abo Academy Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 951949801X

Photosynthetic Prokaryotes (Biotechnology Handbooks, Vol 6)

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Photosynthetic Prokaryotes (Biotechnology Handbooks, Vol 6)
Noel G. Carr Nicholas H. Mann
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OS6WV4

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Heavy duty paper...but little substance

Next best thing to going there

Interesting/Informative/Beautiful Pictures

Compass American Guides: Maine, 4th edition (Compass American Guides)
Charles Calhoun
Manufacturer: Compass America Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Fodor's Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, 10th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides)

ASIN: 1400012376
Release Date: 2005-06-07

Book Description

Created by local writers and photographers, Compass American Guides are the ultimate insider's guides, providing in-depth coverage of the history, culture and character of America's most spectacular destinations. Covering everything there is to see and do as well as choice lodging and dining, these gorgeous full-color guides are perfect for new and longtime residents as well as vacationers who want a deep understanding of the region they're visiting.

Outstanding color photography, plus a wealth of archival images
Topical essays and literary extracts
Detailed color maps
Great ideas for things to see and do
Capsule reviews of hotels and restaurants

Customer Reviews:

Heavy duty paper...but little substance.......2003-08-28

It is nicely packaged (heavy paper, color photographs), but the index is incomplete, the organizing odd, and the subject matter is rather limited. Never once does the author say what he would do if he had a day - or week - in Maine. He says nice things about it all, and retells funny anecdotes written by other authors, but gives little direction about the places one really should see. I found the British Rough Guide to New England much more helpful and accurate in describing the nature of towns, and whether they were worth visiting. I really liked the Compass Guide to Arizona, but found this one disappointing. The organization was confusing, as the body would occasionally mention names of places to eat or stay, but you had to look in an appendix for the phone number, etc. Also, the author would not actually vouch for any of the establishments he listed - it seemed as if he just compiled his information from a Chamber of Commerce brochure. The thing the author did well was to convince you that Maine was lovely, but we were already convinced. I like that he recommended other reading about Maine and by Mainers, but his book was little help once we were there.

Next best thing to going there.......2000-05-17

Charles Calhoun's MAINE is a departure from most travel guides. Rather than just pages and pages of lists of motels, restaurants, and things to see, Calhoun focuses on the state's people (past and present), natural history, and state-of-mind. Instead of simply an address and phone number for the famous L. L. Bean's (outdoor outfitters, for example, Calhoun gives us several pages, including the story of the founder of the company.

The book opens with a chapter entitled "Learning Maine" and is organized geographically into nine main sections which cover the entire state. The final chapter, "Practical Information" gives all the usual, plus "A Dozen Fun Places to Eat" and antiquarian booksellers. Scattered throughout the book are literary excerpts and topical essays by authors such as May Sarton, John McPhee, and Longfellow. There are maps, reproductions of period art, and plenty of gorgeous color photos. Whether the reader is planning a trip to Maine or merely wishes an intriguing armchair journey, this guide is a must.

Kimberly Borrowdale, Under the Covers Book Reviews

Interesting/Informative/Beautiful Pictures.......1999-07-21

An excellent book to take along with you during your travels to Maine. The photos in this book are simply beautiful! The photographer, Thomas Mark Szelog actually lives in the lighthouse on the cover!! I was lucky enough to meet him and he was kind enough to show me some of his photgraphs. Absolutely beautiful work. This is a great book and I highly recommend it when you travel down east!

Book Description

In the present volume - the sixth of this series - 48 flowering plant families comprising a total of 712 genera are treated. They represent the newly designed eurosid orders Celastrales, Oxalidales and Rosales and the asterid orders Cornales and Ericales. The recognition of these ordinal concepts is the result of numerous recent gene sequence analyses which, for the first time in angiosperm systematics, have provided a reliable higher order classification. The concept of Ericales is largely expanded beyond its conventional limits to make it monophyletic and now includes parts of the erstwhile Ebenales, Lecythidales, Primulales and other orders. The revised circumscription of families such as Ericaceae, Celastraceae and Cunoniaceae owes much to the application of recent molecular studies, and for the same reason in the primulalean families, a complete remodeling of family limits is proposed.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2005-04-13

This thematic anthology of literature is wonderful. The selections revolve around a number of different myths, folktales, fairy tales, and bible stories. The editors have collected short stories, poems, and plays that allude to the myths, etc. They've organized these wonderful selections (for example, the myth of Persephone and Demeter, along with Robert Hayden's "Pomegranate" and Louise Gluck's "The Pomegranate")to allow students to explore uses of myth and folktale in literature. Even for the non-lit types, this collection offers a way in because it begins with familiar childhood stories.

It is unfortunate that a previous reviewer of this textbook has chosen to rate his professor (one of the book's editors) rather than evaluate the book itself. I don't know Professor Helane Levine Keating, but the single poem of her own that she includes, "The Envious Heart," alludes to "Snow White," and is a beautiful piece.

Pretentious, Conceited Professor.......2003-11-20

She put her own poetry in the textbook she edited. She uses the textbook she edited for the class she teaches. Who does that? If you had the oppportunity to attend her class... DON'T.

Very sincerely,
A Dissatisfied Customer

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Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology (Instructors Manual)

Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0023623020

Product Description

Instructor's Manual

Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology

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Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology
Walter J. Levy Helane Levine-Keating
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8VMH8

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Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology
Helane LevineLevy, Walter Keating
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHRX40

Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology (3rd Edition)

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Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology (3rd Edition)
Helane Levine Keating; Walter Levy
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QY85IO

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