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Who We Are and How We Got Here

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Who We Are and How We Got Here

By: David Reich
Narrated by: John Lescault
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About this listen

A groundbreaking book about how ancient DNA has profoundly changed our understanding of human history

Geneticists like David Reich have made astounding advances in the field of genomics, which is proving to be as important as archaeology, linguistics, and written records as a means to understand our ancestry.

In Who We Are and How We Got Here, Reich allows listeners to discover how the human genome provides not only all the information a human embryo needs to develop but also the hidden story of our species. Reich delves into how the genomic revolution is transforming our understanding of modern humans and how DNA studies reveal deep inequalities among different populations, between the sexes, and among individuals. Provocatively, Reich's book suggests that there might very well be biological differences among human populations but that these differences are unlikely to conform to common stereotypes.

Drawing upon revolutionary findings and unparalleled scientific studies, Who We Are and How We Got Here is a captivating glimpse into humankind - where we came from and what that says about our lives today.

A New York Times best-seller in Science Books. A #1 Amazon.com bestseller in the Biochemistry List.

©2018 David Reich (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Anthropology Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Genetics Science Social Sciences Ancient History

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Fascinating discoveries, got me even more interested in ancient DNA, but the structure/storytelling could be improved. The narrator did not help either

Fascinating discoveries

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This book has been an excellent update on the science of genealogy and the vast strides that have been made in the last decade regarding both the extraction and understanding of DNA sequences. Tracking the movements of people has given a far better understanding of where humans came from and how they spread throughout the world. Knowledge of the admixture of populations has destroyed the myth of "pure-bred" lineages and showed us to be a mongrel race of both sapiens and their forebears. My only cavil is that, having gone to great lengths to explain the scientific methodology, he occasionally uses jewish mythology to illustrate his point. Stories may help to get a point across but it grates with real science.

Very enlightening

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As an archaeologist, my opinion of this book is that it is groundbreaking for thr study of archaeology and the understanding of human evolution, even to the point of changing our understanding - yet again - of British archaeology.

Because it covers a emerging area of scrience which for us archaeologists, is not a natural habitat, it is a struggle to follow, but only because every paragraph seems to contain a new nugget of understanding.

Tom Higham and Dr Alice Roberts have both expressed a concern that the study of the genome is radically changing our understanding of archaeology, but that very few archaeologists understand this emerging discipline...or perhaps want to. To quote the "Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams, " What is the point of discussing whether or not God exists, if this thing bleeding well gives you his phone number the next morning"

I get the feeling that this is where some archaeologists maybe heading!!

Ground breaking seminal piece of work

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A must read if you are interested in ancient history. This story is only starting to unfold so great time to be picking it t

Fascinating discoveries

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This is a detailed summary of the latest science (c. 2018) on population genetics and in particular what this tells us about the mixing and movements of different populations over the last 50,000 years.
It tells a fascinating if complex and sometimes tentative story that shows how previous assumptions (for example on mixing between modern humans and Neanderthals) have repeatedly been overturned by the hard science of genetics.
There is also a very interesting chapter in which Reich clearly demonstrates the falsity of the assertion that there are no significant differences between populations.
A compelling account that shows how we have learned- and have yet to learn from this new science. Highly recommended.

An excellent summary of the latest science on population genetics.

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Very solid position on human prehistory in light of modern genetics. Excessively anti racist at times but otherwise great.

Fascinating

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Book is great and informative but at least at one place author of this book fell to what you would call Alt-Crap. Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

Good book

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Reich gives a truly scholarly account and credible overview of the current knowledge of the peopling of the earth using genetic data. He systematically explains the methods used and the data collected in Eurasia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Far East and Oceania and on the African continent. He pertinently states the consequence of our advances in genetic sequencing through sequencing of deep ancestry specimens and has some compelling arguments for what we can expect.

Informative and objective

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I found the content of this book fascinating and intriguing, and the overall tale it tells is marvellous. I couldn't help wondering how much (perfectly reasonable) conjecture is involved though, given the small number of samples we have from some populations.
It's not a well-written science book for the general reader, but rather more like a text book. And it's a bit repetitive at times.
For me, the narration was wooden and lifeless, and the pauses before many names and non-English words made me feel that more rehearsal and preparation was needed.

Fascinating content, dull style, wooden narration

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A fantastic overview of a developing field. Thoughtful, full of insight, and informative.
My only critique would be that without diagrams it’s hard to follow all of the detail.

Fascinating

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