In the Footsteps of Eve: The Mystery of Human Origins

There are so many anthropology books to choose from! Why read this book? Simple. It keeps you hooked from beginning to end and leaves you wanting more! Dr.Berger asks a question that I too would like to know the answer to...Why isn't there more focus on post-cranial evidence? His writing is excellent. I can't wait for Dr. Berger to write more!

I do not have an acedemic background. As a human being curious about our origins, I am always on the lookout for books on this topic. The author is very considerate of its readers, acknowledging that not all have a PHD. The book offers insight into the scientific community's struggle to find a clear path to the modern human. Full of history, theories and political intrigue. Its simply fascinating. I'm inspired to read more.

This book brings closer to our imagination the Australopithecs and other ape-like creatures that were our ancestors. A job well done! An honest book as well, as there are many secrets still to be unveiled.

To a large extent this is a personal account of Lee Berger's career. Dr. Berger leads a university department focused on human evolution at Wit in South Africa. The book includes a nice review of the current knowledge of human evolution with a focus on Austalopithicus. The current dogma has been that Lucy's species, or A.anamensis, is our ancestor. Lee Berger presents evidence and conjecture this may not be the case. There is review of what is and isn't known about the genus Homo and about archaic Homo sapiens. Dr. Berger presents his theory that modern man may have developed 130,000 years ago in South Africa. The politics of the community of scientist working on human evolution are discussed. One of the attitudes of the author is that he doesn't get stuck in dogma but acknowledges that our ancestral lineage is open for debate. This is an easy to read book. It was very enjoyable. This is one of the better books I have read on human evolution.

From the keyboard of a amateur, this is an engaging and thoughtful book about a powerful and fascinating subject. Lee Berger has succeeded in bringing to light some of the most personal issues to our species, how and when we became human. He is a superb writer discussing what could be dry scientific issues with in a suspenseful and charismatic way. If you have any interest in the current scientific thought on human evolution, you must read this book!