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Sep 07, 1993 | ISBN 9780345384720 Buy
Jul 06, 2011 | ISBN 9780307801036 Buy
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Sep 07, 1993 | ISBN 9780345384720
Jul 06, 2011 | ISBN 9780307801036
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Exciting and provocative . . . A tour de force of a book that begs to be seen as well as to be read.”—The Washington Post Book WorldWorld renowned scientist Carl Sagan and acclaimed author Ann Druyan have written a Roots for the human species, a lucid and riveting account of how humans got to be the way we are. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a thrilling saga that starts with the origin of the Earth. It shows with humor and drama that many of our key traits—self-awareness, technology, family ties, submission to authority, hatred for those a little different from ourselves, reason, and ethics—are rooted in the deep past, and illuminated by our kinship with other animals.Sagan and Druyan conduct a breathtaking journey through space and time, zeroing in on critical turning points in evolutionary history, and tracing the origins of sex, altruism, violence, rape, and dominance. Their book culminates in a stunningly original examination of the connection between primate and human traits. Astonishing in its scope, brilliant in its insights, and an absolutely compelling read, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a triumph of popular science.
Carl Sagan served as the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary… More about Carl Sagan
Ann Druyan is an award-winning writer and producer whose credits include the motion picture Contact and the documentary series Cosmos—both the… More about Ann Druyan
“Dazzling . . . a feast. Absorbing and elegantly written, it tells of the origins of life on earth, describes its variety and character, and culminates in a discussion of human nature and the complex traces of humankind’s evolutionary past. . . . It is an amazing story, masterfully told.”—Financial Times (London)“As in much of his previous work, Sagan has framed the debate—concise, elegant, and provocative as always.”—San Diego Union-Tribune“A BIG book about BIG questions—‘Who are we? Where do we come from? Why are we this way and no other? What does it mean to be human?’ With all the Sagan/Druyan trademarks—crystal-clear exposition . . . eye-popping anecdotes . . . crack science writing for the masses.”—Kirkus Reviews
Carl Sagan’s reputation is truly awesome (in the old sense of the word), and his writing is terrific. He won the Pulitzer prize; he hosted the Peabody & Emmy award-winning series Cosmos; and the book of the same title is the best-selling science book every published in the English language. His wife, Ann Druyan, collaborated with him on many projects.Mr. Sagan made an immediate connection with a lot of people — his books are written in such accessible language and with so much wit and intelligence that they have changed not only the way we look at science but also the way we look at life. This book especially touched many people’s lives — mine included.A. KrijgsmanAssociate Managing Editor
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