The human career : human biological and cultural origins /

Klein (University of Chicago) is an established authority in African and European prehistory. His primary intent here is to present human evolution as a complex amalgam of palaeontology and archaeology. Although this work was expressly written for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals, Klein has (justifiably) made no effort to discuss genetics and evolutionary mechanics, as is normally done in introductory texts. Instead, he provides background information on relevant concepts and current methods in geology and zoology, before launching into a relatively detailed and comprehensive discussion of the available biocultural evidence. Klein devotes a chapter to each of the presently identified fossil grades--namely, Australopithecines (and Homo habilis), Homo erectus, early Homo sapiens, the Neanderthals (and other contemporary forms)--and to the emergence of anatomically modern human beings. He concludes with a brief, informed synoptic chapter. Illustrated with clear and relevant drawings and tables, the book should be read for its balanced synthesis and thoughtful and engaging narrative. -F. Spencer, Queens College, CUNY