Awarded the W. W. Howells Award for the Outstanding Book in Biological Anthropology; this volume presents a comprehensive; integrated; and up-to-date overview of the major physiological and behavioral factors affecting human reproduction. In attempting to identify the most important causes of variation in fertility within and among human populations; Wood summarizes data from a wide range of societies. Trained as an anthropologist as well as a demographer; he devotes special attention to so-called "natural fertility" populations; in which modern contraceptives and induced abortion are not used to limit reproductive output. Such an emphasis enables him to study the interaction of biology and behavior with particular clarity.The volume weaves together the physiological; demographic; and biometric approaches to human fertility in a way that will encourage future interdisciplinary research. Instead of offering a general overview; the focus is to answer one question: Why does fertility and the number of live births vary from couple to couple within any particular population; and from population to population across the human species as a whole?Topics covered include ovarian function; conception and pregnancy; intrauterine mortality; reproductive maturation and senescence; coital frequency and the waiting time to conception; marriage patterns and the initiation of reproduction; the fertility-reducing effects of breastfeeding; the impact of maternal nutrition on reproduction; and reproductive seasonality. This unique combination of comprehensive subject matter and an integrated analytical approach makes the book ideally suited both as a graduate-level textbook and as a reference work.
#597982 in Books 2016-08-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.50 x 9.40l; .0 #File Name: 0199964238408 pages
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jeff SchmittVery interesting and well-written2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Southern Academic and Legal Justifications for SlaveryBy Ronald H. ClarkThis is quite an interesting book relating to American slavery written by legal historian Alfred L. Brophy of the University of North Carolina law school. Brophy argues that during the period between the Nat Turner revolt in 1831 and the beginning of the Civil War in the 1860's; a sustained battle of ideas occurred relating to southern slavery. Basically; southern thought leaders realized that northern abolitionists were producing a forceful literature attacking slavery from a variety of perspectives. It also became evident to these leaders that unless pro-slavery advocates were able to mount their own counter-arguments; the South would lose this debate and weaken its ability to protect slavery. This book examines those southern academic and legal arguments from the perspectives of history; economics; morality and law. The book is divided into three sections; each with multiple chapters; as well as a preface and introduction. The introduction effectively outlines the key themes and arguments to come.The first section deals with the contours of academic pro-slavery arguments. Much attention to developing supportive arguments occurred in various academic institutions. The major figure here was Thomas R. Dew of the College of William and Mary. He analyzed the findings of a special committee established in Virginia in the wake of Nat Turner. His book on the commission laid out many of the arguments that would be relied upon for the next 30 years: how slavery had been recognized throughout history; why abolition was impracticable; and how slavery actually benefited the slaves. So instead of philosophical arguments based on the Enlightenment; the focus of argument shifted to practical considerations like economics. The remaining chapters in this section focus on particular institutions and their personnel; the role of literary societies; and the arguments put forward by various southern scholars in defense of slavery.Two anti-slavery academics are also profiled; including the difficulties they faced.The second section involves "connecting moral philosophy and legal thought." This is where the book really hits its stride. One chapter deals with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. In this connection the author adds to our understanding of American jurisprudence in a surprising discussion of Harriet Beecher Stowe's "jurisprudence of sentiment." Stowe in her important trilogy ("Uncle Tom's Cabin"; "Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp"; and the "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin") brilliantly tied the continued existence of slavery to the legal system. Instead of applying cold legal logic to cases; judges needed to consider the human dimensions; i.e.; sentiment. Human considerations ought to override utility. In fact; Stowe launched the first attack on American legal formalism. I have studied jurisprudence for years and never became aware of Stowe's contributions to the field. This uncovering of her role is one of the greatest contributions of the book. Moreover; she certainly intensified the attack on southern slavery.In the third section; the author moves on to "the core of southern legal thought." Here are discussed several key legal thinkers who defended slavery and constituted a reaction to Stowe. Three southern thinkers are examined: Thomas Ruffin; Joseph Henry Lumpkin; and the especially important Thomas R.R. Cobb. Cobb writes a vital book in 1858 (which neatly bookends with Dew's earlier treatise) which collects all the arguments in favor of slavery on the very doorstep of the Civil War. One volume is devoted to the history of slavery going back to the ancients; the second to the legal issues employing the very legal formalistic techniques that Stowe had attacked. Looking at his book demonstrates that Cobb was a scholar of some repute even though his arguments are regrettable. Another chapter looks at judicial opposition to freedom. The final discussion is how the issue of protecting slavery was addressed in the secession debates.The 295 pages of text are supported by 64 pages of invaluable notes and references; as well as a thorough index; helpful illustrations and a timeline. While this is a book of the highest scholarship; it is not only for scholars to read and ponder but for all of us. I would suggest that one could not have a truly complete understanding of American slavery without having read and digested this fine book. The author is to be commended.
