Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan · first published 1992
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
Pop-science introduction to human evolution and genetics, tracing the history of life and how closely human behavior resembles that of chimpanzees; suits general readers curious about where we come from.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
World 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. 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. Astonishing in its scope, brilliant in its insights, and an absolutely compelling read, SHADOWS OF FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS is a triumph of popular
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…IMAX and see Hubble 3D. If you ever dreamed of space, you need to see it. Really. For random science fact, I like Jared Diamond. I like virtually everything by Stephen J. Gould. I recently re-read Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors and still love that. I could list more, but that's enough for the moment.
on “Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?” ↗I strongly recommend reading the Carl Sagan book in a similar vein called "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" for folks interested in a pop-intro to genetics and the history of life.
on “Life in the Universe” ↗…level social similarities between chimps and humans. But if so, they are not similarities that we would feel comfortable admitting to. If the topic interests you, for further reading I would suggest Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Carl Sagan and Anne Druyan. Among other things it is the source of the facts that I just quoted for you. And as a final thought, one of strongest cross-primate similarities is a connection between…
on “Orangutans plan their future route and communicate it to others” ↗The book Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Carl Sagan is a revelation in how close human behaviour is to those of chimps. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61662.Shadows_of_Forgott...
on “Chimpanzees in Uganda locked in vicious 'civil war', say researchers” ↗I would suggest Shadows of forgotten Ancestors, by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan.
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗…to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known." 2. Cosmos. 3. BILLIONS AND BILLIONS - the part he described coming to know that he had cancer was beautifully written. 4. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are with Ann Druyan. I never read that fiction book he wrote - Contact. But, man, I'm going to add one of his books to my To Be Read list again lol.
on “The Demon-Haunted World” ↗