Resistance to malaria. Blue eyes. Lactose tolerance. What do all of these traits have in common? Every one of them has emerged in the last 10;000 years.Scientists have long believed that the “great leap forward†that occurred some 40;000 to 50;000 years ago in Europe marked end of significant biological evolution in humans. In this stunningly original account of our evolutionary history; top scholars Gregory Cochran and Henry Harpending reject this conventional wisdom and reveal that the human species has undergone a storm of genetic change much more recently. Human evolution in fact accelerated after civilization arose; they contend; and these ongoing changes have played a pivotal role in human history. They argue that biology explains the expansion of the Indo-Europeans; the European conquest of the Americas; and European Jews' rise to intellectual prominence. In each of these cases; the key was recent genetic change: adult milk tolerance in the early Indo-Europeans that allowed for a new way of life; increased disease resistance among the Europeans settling America; and new versions of neurological genes among European Jews.Ranging across subjects as diverse as human domestication; Neanderthal hybridization; and IQ tests; Cochran and Harpending's analysis demonstrates convincingly that human genetics have changed and can continue to change much more rapidly than scientists have previously believed. A provocative and fascinating new look at human evolution that turns conventional wisdom on its head; The 10;000 Year Explosion reveals the ongoing interplay between culture and biology in the making of the human race.
#1115670 in Books 2006-07-25 2006-07-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .70 x 5.50l; .69 #File Name: 0452287480336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I recommend this book for all women for all religionsBy G. A. NordToday I read an article in People magazine on Leah Remini's defection from the Church of Scientology; and I had to LOL; especially when she is considering entering the Catholic church. I recommend this book for all women for all religions.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Easy; fun readBy KarenI only took away one star because the description made it sound like a collection of funny essays. But about half of them are serious or thoughtful. Not that I minded that - some of those were among my favorites. But it's not what you're expecting. And if you got this for a funny and lighthearted read; that might disappoint you. But all in all; a great book for Jewish women trying to figure out exactly what that identity is in the modern world!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. love this book! Heart felt and humorous!By Paprikamy book. I am not Jewish; nor know much about Judaism; and I loved reading this book! The stories in this book are very heart felt and yet they contain great sense of humor. I had many laughs and many tears from reading it and have learned so much about myself and about human dynamics. I have recommended and have gifted this book to many friends since reading it.
