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deanopeez's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
raj_page's review against another edition
5.0
It was a really good decision to pick this book. Reading about Darwin and evolution is nothing new but there were so many things discussed in this book that I was unaware of.
Plus I really loved every second when the writers started discussing about apes and primates. Especially Kanzi. I'd to stop reading and go to Youtube and watch videos because a talking ape was a bit too incredulous for me.
Lucy's story broke my heart though.
Recommended to anyone who wants some good non-fiction
Plus I really loved every second when the writers started discussing about apes and primates. Especially Kanzi. I'd to stop reading and go to Youtube and watch videos because a talking ape was a bit too incredulous for me.
Lucy's story broke my heart though.
Recommended to anyone who wants some good non-fiction
corymojojojo's review against another edition
4.0
This took me much longer to get through than Sagan’s books usually do, and I think that’s for two reasons: first is that it was co-written by his wife Ann Druyan and while I have plenty of respect for her, it seems clear that she doesn’t write as beautifully and effortlessly as Carl, unfortunately. That’s not to say her writing in this book was bad, but it was more matter-of-fact than I’m used to with Carl. Second is that this is my first deep dive into biology and particularly evolutionary biology, so I was learning a lot of this for the first time. All that said, I’m really glad I read it, the last few chapters alone made it worth the read. The conclusions drawn are so impactful and I feel the same sense of profoundness I always feel after reading a Sagan book.
theboundlessbookchase's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
anjreading's review against another edition
4.0
Even though I'm quite sure I read this at some point in college, it felt like a completely fresh read. I guess that's what happens when 25+ years elapses between readings. At any rate, this is an absolutely fascinating read on evolution and what it means to be human. The ideas are presented clearly and Sagan and Druyan write in an engaging, entertaining style. This is definitely worth a read if you're looking for a good book on evolution that will really make you think long after you finish the book.
professor_x's review against another edition
5.0
Carl Sagan and his wife Ann Druyan poetically present the humble beginnings of homo sapiens. They begin with the formulation of the universe and then with the many processes that went into the origination of our planet. The wonder that is DNA and genetics is then explained, showing how closely linked humans are to everything but just how intimately related we are to the great apes, mostly the chimpanzees.
The book is 80% about chimpanzee and other ape behavior and how they relate to us. I found it fascinating how many of our social behaviors are nearly identical with the apes. They function as a family unit. Mothers breastfeed their young and the young learn by seeing what the elders do. Apes groom each other and we like to give massages or cuddle with our loved ones. Chimps like Lucy displayed intelligence and the ability to think abstractedly. They have emotion and use facial expressions to communicate.
Apes are also highly sexual and can be really violent. Especially the Hamadrya baboon. Where the male chimps loosely guard their females when they are not ovulating, the male baboon treats the females like private property and will violently discipline them if they stray to another male. Apes will go patrolling in groups and are masters of stealth and strategy. The military branches of the world can take a page out of the chimp's playbook.
I found it all to be engrossing and enlightening. Carl and Ann shed a sliver of light on the shadows of our ancestors and bring them to the forefront for us to appreciate. We can learn so much about our past if we can continue to study our great antecedents.
The book is 80% about chimpanzee and other ape behavior and how they relate to us. I found it fascinating how many of our social behaviors are nearly identical with the apes. They function as a family unit. Mothers breastfeed their young and the young learn by seeing what the elders do. Apes groom each other and we like to give massages or cuddle with our loved ones. Chimps like Lucy displayed intelligence and the ability to think abstractedly. They have emotion and use facial expressions to communicate.
Apes are also highly sexual and can be really violent. Especially the Hamadrya baboon. Where the male chimps loosely guard their females when they are not ovulating, the male baboon treats the females like private property and will violently discipline them if they stray to another male. Apes will go patrolling in groups and are masters of stealth and strategy. The military branches of the world can take a page out of the chimp's playbook.
I found it all to be engrossing and enlightening. Carl and Ann shed a sliver of light on the shadows of our ancestors and bring them to the forefront for us to appreciate. We can learn so much about our past if we can continue to study our great antecedents.