The Last Neanderthal : The Rise, Success, and Mysterious Extinction of Our Closest Human Relatives

Customer Reviews:

A speculative introduction.......2007-01-17

This is an introduction into investigating the "Neanderthal". The prologue is a speculative story of the final days of the last family. Their appearance as presented is complete conjecture. The book contains a selection of fossils, tools and jewelry photos with detailed descriptions of each. Tattersall lists a few apologetic references for further reading. Obviously a fascinating subject, but fleeting, why?

Were they oddities in the rise to humans? Were they just old men as the bible tells us, or possibly early humans with rickets?--please check out the book "Buried Alive". They had the same brain capacity as us. He donates a brief chapter on evolution; this could have been left out, instead Ian should have focused on the hard science of the so called "Neanderthal" man. The chapter on "Before the Neanderthals" is very much in doubt and some has been proven false, such as: Australopithecus, "Java Man", and "Peking Man". A lot of soft science; light weight, even for evolutionists.

Wish you well
Scott

Superb Illustrations, Clear Concepts, Outstanding Text.......2003-12-13

I'm not a reader who usually pays too much attention to photos and illustrations, but I could recommend "The Last Neanderthal" on that basis alone. There are nearly 150 of them in this 200-page book, some covering an entire page in my oversized edition. Almost all of them are superb. The illustrations are mostly of various fossilized bones and reconstructions. They are not haphazardly thrown throughout the book or tightly grouped in the middle, but introduced when appropriate for the text.

Ian Tattersall's set-up of what is known about Neanderthals is masterful. Most of the first third of the book is about evolution, how fossilization works, and a brief description about what is known of the precursors to both Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. Tattersall is clearly at home with this material and confident in his presentation of it. He takes his time in this area - even though it has little to directly do with the topic of his book - because one cannot understand Neanderthals unless one has some understanding of other pre-modern humans and the scientific techniques used to understand them.

The set-up is not wasted on a flat ending. When Tattersall finally gets to the Neanderthals, he maintains a high level of interest for the reader by first showing how the scholarly views on Neanderthals have changed so much over the last hundred-fifty years (much more fascinating than it sounds) and then by moving into areas about its evolution and what is known about its lifestyle. He appears to be a fair partisan, pointing out evidence both for and against different sides of the numerous controversial topics on Neanderthals.

great intro to current thoughts on neanderthals.......2003-12-09

This book was my entry into current theory on neanderthal man and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very well written, it covered most if not all of my basic questions. The author's biases are clear yet he is seemingly forthwright about opposing views. The language he uses betrays the complexities of conjecture and theory behind many finds, rather than simply laying things out as 'fact'. Many excellent photographs, paintings, etc...

the last neanderthal.......2002-11-19

Tattersall's book is a must have. It covers all the basics in a compelling style and with particular focus on site locations. The photos and illustrations are as good as those of any "coffee table" book. It is too light on some particular aspects concerning extinction, e.g. hybridization, pelvic ring size, birth/death ratios, and exotic disease resistance, but is superior in descriptions of Neanderthal morphology and environment.

Wonderful Illustrations!.......2002-04-08

The Last Neanderthal is a wonderfully illustrated book perfect for anyone interested in human evolution. While providing an excellent overview of human evolution and the history of the discovery and study of Neanderthals, this book's true merit lies in its photographs of all the major finds of both Neanderthals and other human ancestors. Great as a reference for someone wishing to begin a more in-depth study of Neanderthals for class or just for fun.

The Last Neanderthal: The Rise, Success, and Mysterious Extinction of Our Closest Human Relatives

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The Last Neanderthal: The Rise, Success, and Mysterious Extinction of Our Closest Human Relatives
Ian Tattersall
Manufacturer: Macmillan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O93MSY

Book Description

This new title in the Blue Guide series covers the cultural and artistic treasures of this vast country. Presented here are fifty itineraries that pass through idyllic landscapes, scenic towns, and the major cities, including Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Poznan, Lodz, Torun, and Wroclaw. This guide provides an insider's view of Poland, from its culture, people, myths, folklore, to its art, architecture, literature, and history.

Customer Reviews:

First Class Grand Tour.......2001-01-31

I really found this new book in the Blue Guide series to be of great value. It covers many of the travel plans I intend to make and places I want to visit. It covers the people, the land and the artistic treasures of this vastly misunderstood country. There are effective itineraries that explore beautiful landscapes, scenic and rustic towns, and the major cities, including Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. This guide provides an insider's view of Poland, from its music, myths, folklore, to its art, architecture, cinema, literature, food, drink and colorful history. This is a land of a proud and great people. I have to thank my co-workers for this one.

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Krakow (Blue Guides)
Jasper Tilbury
Manufacturer: Blue Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Poland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Poland (Blue Guides)
Jasper Tilbury , and Pawel Turnau
Manufacturer: Blue Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Poland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Book Description

The methods in Volumes 189 and 190 apply to the use of retinoids in basic research in molecular, cellular, and development biology and in clinical medicine.

Retinoids, Part A : Molecular and Metabolic Aspects, Volume 189 : Volume 189: Retenoids Part A (Methods in Enzymology)

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Retinoids, Part A : Molecular and Metabolic Aspects, Volume 189 : Volume 189: Retenoids Part A (Methods in Enzymology)
Academic Press
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OH4W9O

Book Description

This volume covers advanced polymer processing operations and is designed to provide a description of some of the latest industry developments for unique products and fabrication methods. Contributors for this volume are from both industry and academia from the international community. This book contains nine chapters covering advanced processing applications and technologies.

Book Description

Mathematical systems theory is a vibrant research area in its own right. The theory has an impact in numerous applications areas including aeronautics, biological systems, chemical engineering, communication systems, financial engineering and robotics to name just a few. This volume contains survey and research articles by some of the leading researchers in mathematical systems theory. Many authors have taken special care that their articles are self-contained and accessible also to non-specialists. The articles contained in this volume are from those presented as plenary lectures, invited one hour lectures and minisymposia at the 15th International Symposium on the Mathematical Theory of Networks and Systems held at the University of Notre Dame, August 12-16, 2002.

Celtic Miscellany, a: Translations From the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)
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Celtic Miscellany, a: Translations From the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)
Kenneth Hurlstone (Translator) Jackson
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JVEWBI

A Celtic Miscellany: Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)
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A wonderful selection, beautifully translated!

this is a wonderful collection

A great collection

Useful and enjoyable

A Celtic Miscellany: Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)

Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Eastern European | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Celtic & British Isles | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Collections & Readers | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
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Early Irish Myths and Sagas (Penguin Classics)

Tales of the Elders of Ireland (Oxford World's Classics)

The Tain

The Epics of Celtic Ireland: Ancient Tales of Mystery and Magic

The Journey Through Wales and The Description of Wales (Penguin Classics)

ASIN: 0140442472

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful selection, beautifully translated!.......2005-08-01

Despite the recent 'boom' in Celtic literature, there are not that many anthologies around, which present the whole palette, as it were, of the Celtic mind, feeling and imagination. In this respect, Kenneth Jackson's anthology remains one of the best. When he died in 1991, his obituary notice in The Times declared him 'a master of all four of the major Celtic languages' - an accolade not many could claim. In fact, the material here has been drawn from six Celtic sources - Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish and Manx (the variety of Celtic spoken in the Isle of Mann).

Hence, this anthology enables you to savour the taste of Celtic literature, from an unusual number of sources. While all translations have their limitations, Jackson had an uncanny way of reproducing the alliteration and feel of Celtic. In this book, we find Hero tales, epics, reflections on nature, love, delightful epigrams, Celtic magic poems, descriptive sketches,humour & satire, Bardic Poetry, Elegies, religious reflections etc. - a rich collage indeed.

The main text comprises 305 pages, but reading it is more akin to perusing a Celtic library, for that is effectively what Jackson had to do, to procure this rich diversity of sources. The text includes a map of Ireland and Wales, in case you want to locate places mentioned in the text. Extensive notes have been appended to the text - with a pronouncing index. Not everyone will want to get their tongue round that, but the beauty of this text is that you can dip into the material without worrying unduly about such matters, savouring the imagery for its own sake.

It is hard task to select passages for review, for the whole book deserves to be savoured. I may prejudice the reader's mind with my choices. Epics are too long to quote, but you'll hear of Cu Chulainn and all the rest. At random, how about this from the section titled 'Nature':

(34) To the Sun

Greeting to you, sun of the seasons, as you travel
the skies on high, with your strong steps on the
wing of the heights; you are the happy mother
of the stars.

You sink down in the perilous ocean without harm
and without hurt, you rise up on the quiet wave
like a young queen in flower.

Scottish Gaelic; traditional folk prayer.

- or how about these beautiful lines, from the end of
'The Wish of Manchan of Liath' (Religion. 223.)

" This the housekeeping I would undertake, I would
choose it without concealing; fragrant fresh leeks,
hens, speckled salmon, bees. "

How about this sweet epigram (93) 'Her Light Step'

"There's my darling merry star, flower of the
parish of Llangeinwen; beneath her foot the
grass no more bends than does a rock beneath
a bird's foot."
Welsh. Traditional verse.

Another charming epigram (84, The Snowfall).

White flour, earth flesh, a cold fleece on
the mountain, small snow of the chill black day;
snow like platter, bitter cold plumage,
a softness sent to entrammel me. "

- Welsh englynion.

Here's a snippet of Irish 'Zen.'
A Vain Pilgrimage

" Coming to Rome, much labour and little profit!
The King whom you seek here, unless you bring
Him with you - you will not find him. "

Irish;author unknown; 9th c.

The strange mixture of pity, humility and assertiveness in the following, is peculiarly Celtic.

244. A Charm with Yarrow.

" I will pick the smooth yarrow that my figure may be more elegant, that my lips may be warmer, that my voice may be more cheerful;may my voice be like a sunbeam, may my lips be like the juice of the strawberries.

May I be an island in the sea, may I be a hill on the land, may I be a star when the moon wanes, may I be a staff to the weak one: I shall wound every man, no man shall wound me. "

Scottish Gaelic; traditional folk charm.

Yarrow, a delicate wild flower, long used in Celtic herbal lore and suchlike, grows all over Britain. Like the Japanese Yamato nadeshiko, Yarrow symbolises and invokes ideal qualities of femininity. Yet it is a resilient and tough little plant. Reading this verse, I have always imagined a young woman, tender enough to go through life without betraying the better qualities of womanhood, yet apprehensive that she may be abused. So, along with her wish to be - and remain charming, she also nurtures her sense of cosmic attunement and the strength of the feminine in nature, the power of yielding, happy to be a star when the moon wanes, and a staff to the weak. The closing line - 'I shall wound every man, no man shall wound me' - looks callous, even violent, but really, it conveys nothing more than the wish to remain lucky in love, that the 'charm' with the yarrow should work, not leaving the young woman hurt. It is quite likely that the original form of the verse comprised the first four lines - and the closing line. The additional components soften it, making it less predatory.

Just for its own sake, I've included:

The Harp of Cnoc I Chosgair

"Harp of Cnoc I Chosggair, you who bring sleep to eyes long sleepless;sweet, subtle, plangent, glad, cooling, grave. "

" Excellent instrument with the smooth gentle curve, trilling under red fingers, musician that has charmed us, red, lion-like, of full melody. "

" You who lure the bird from the flock, you who refresh the mind, brown spotted one of sweet words, ardent, wondrous, passionate. "

" You who heal every wounded warrior, joy and allurement to women, familiar guide over the dark blue water, mystic, sweet sounding music. "

"You who silence every instrument of music, yourself a pleasing plaintive every instrument of music, dweller among the Race of Conn, instrument yellow-brown and firm. "

" The one darling of sages,restless, smooth, of sweet tune, crimson star above the fairy hills, breast jewel of High Kings."

"Sweet tender flowers, brown harp of Diarmaid, shape not unloved by host, voice of the cuckoos in May! "

"I have not heard of music such as your frame makes since the time of the fairy people, fair brown many coloured bough, gentle, powerful, glorious."

" Sound of the calm wave on the beach, pure shadowing tree of true music, carousals are drunk in your company, voice of the swan over shining streams. "

"Cryof the fairy women from the Fairy Hill of Ler, no melody can match you, every house is sweet stringed through your guidance, you the pinnacle of harp music. . ."

Irish. Gofraidh Fionn O Dalaigh; c. 1385

At the risk of butchering things, I've thrown in these random extracts from verse found under 'religion.'

232. The Tree of Life

"Lovely is the flock of birds which keeps it, on every bright and goodly bird a hundred feathers; and without sin, with pure brilliance, they sing a hundred tunes for every feather. "

243. A Prayer to the Virgin

"The Virgin of ringlets most excellent, Jesus more surpassing white than snow, melodious Seraphs singing Their praise, and the King of the Universe saying it was fitting. "

"The Virgin most excellent of face, Jesus more surpassing white than snow, She like the moon rising over the hills, He like the sun on the peaks of the mountains. "

All in all, there is something very satisfying about this book. Something about its 'feeling tone' lingers and sticks to you, like incense. I've dipped into it for twenty years, on and off, and always recall the story of the Christian hermit on a tiny island, shedding tears of joy for catching a fish. Its hard to feel like that in a supermarket.

this is a wonderful collection.......2004-02-21

This is a terrific and pretty comprehensive collection of Celtic poetry and prose. Everything is nicely indexed according to what style of writing it is, and what the subject is, in the table of contents. Under each poem or whathaveyou is a description of where the work comes from, when it dates from, and who (if it is known) wrote the work.

You'll find Welsh, Breton, Cornish, Scots-Gaelic, and Irish works of art here. I know I've often been dissapointed before to buy a book on "Celtic" poetry to find out it was only on Irish works.

To top it all off there is a huge list of end-notes. These explain all those obscure references you'll find in old poetry. Don't know where Aberffraw is, but its in your favorite poem? Flip to the back and find out.

I'm very pleased with this book. I can use it for my classes, simply by looking up a topic and browsing over the many selected works. And I also read it for pleasure, I find the section on humorous works especially enjoyable.

A great collection.......2001-08-18

This has been one of my two or three very favorite books since it came out. I read from it almost every day. I think that anyone interested in poetry or literature or just in the human spirit should have it by their sides. It is a wonderful selection, beautifully translated. It brings out the two things I like best about Celtic literature: the intense, immediate sensitivity to nature, and the extreme importance given to individual men and women (as opposed to the great big abstractions, symbols, word games, etc., in so much of literature). The Celts seem to have remembered, more often than most people, that individual human beings matter.

Useful and enjoyable.......1998-04-17

I've had this book for over ten years and find new things to appreciate that I'd skipped over in the past. I've used some of the shorter poems and englyn for caligraphy and needlework, and on my website. I also feel that to understand a people, it is necessary to read the literature, and this book offers a good selection.

A Celtic Miscellany - Translations from the Celtic Literatures

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A Celtic Miscellany - Translations from the Celtic Literatures
Kenneth Hurlstone (Translator) Jackson
Manufacturer: Routledge and Kegan Paul
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JV5G7M

Celtic Miscellany, A : Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)

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Celtic Miscellany, A : Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics)
Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ5980

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