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The Incredible Human Journey (2009)

by Alice Roberts(Favorite Author)

4.14 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0747598398 (ISBN13: 9780747598398)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Bloomsbury UK

review 1: This was fascinating in many ways, hugely frustrating in others. Some incredible stories and evidence of how humans spread across the globe. I particularly enjoyed Prof. Roberts' stays with indigenous peoples and her musings on how our ancestors in those areas made their living, relating them to modern day humans.One of my frustrations arose from the repetitive nature of the book. There is an awful lot of detail that to the non-academic seems to be told in the same way time after time (descriptions of tools, climate etc.). The second is the constant reference to geological time periods by name (early Neolithic, Last Glacial, Early Bronze Age etc) which the non-academic will need to constantly refer back to as they are given different names on different continents. These ar... moree in no way criticisms of Alice Roberts, who I am a huge fan of. I just feel the book may aim more towards the academic or undergraduate actually studying this subject rather than the casual, educated reader.
review 2: How did we get here? Where did we come from? You and I; Homo Sapien. The Modern Human. If like me, you've often pondered these questions then look no further. Following Alice Roberts on her 6 month journey 'out of Africa' as she follows in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors across the planet. TIHJ is well written and thoroughly enlightening, Dr Roberts obvious enthusiasm for the subject lifts what could at times be a dry subject. Her writing works best when she writes from experience, the tales of her planet-scouring journey and her sense of wonder at the sights she witnesses and the people she meets along the way. At times when a sit-down lesson is required though her writing struggles to convey the enthusiasm she so obviously holds. These lessons are short but necessary though and once the terminology of Paleolithic and Neolithic and the like sinks in you wil soon be understanding at a good level. All in all a good read, I now have a greater understanding of the subject matter and of my opening questions. Now with my appetite wet I wish to learn more which can only be a compliment to Dr Roberts and TIHJ. less

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