Overview

What can fossilized teeth tell us about our ancient ancestors' life expectancy? Did farming play a problematic role in the history of human evolution? And what do we have in common with Neanderthals? In this captivating bestseller, Close Encounters with Humankind, paleoanthropologist Sang-Hee Lee explores our greatest evolutionary questions from new and unexpected angles. Through a series of entertaining, bite-sized chapters that combine anthropological insight with cutting-edge science, we gain fresh perspectives into our first hominin ancestors and ways to challenge perceptions about the traditional progression of evolution. With Lee as our guide, we discover that we indeed have always been a species of continuous change.

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9780393356762

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Reviews

To describe this as a toilet book is not a criticism. The short, punchy, stand-alone chapters (including Are We Cannibals? Are Humans Still Evolving?) lend themselves perfectly to reflective moments in the smallest room of the house. -- BBC Wildlife Magazine Succinctly and engagingly, Lee revisits... key questions about the story of our evolving species - and gives some unconventional answers... ultimately, Lee will inspire even experts with her efforts at elucidating a field often seen as arid and inscrutable. -- Wild reading - books for the summer - Nature ... Close Encounters with Humankind offers additional vistas on our unique plight... -- The Ideas Driving 2018 - New Scientist

"""... Close Encounters with Humankind offers additional vistas on our unique plight..."" -- The Ideas Driving 2018 - New Scientist ""Succinctly and engagingly, Lee revisits... key questions about the story of our evolving species — and gives some unconventional answers... ultimately, Lee will inspire even experts with her efforts at elucidating a field often seen as arid and inscrutable."" -- Wild reading - books for the summer - Nature ""To describe this as a toilet book is not a criticism. The short, punchy, stand-alone chapters (including Are We Cannibals? Are Humans Still Evolving?) lend themselves perfectly to reflective moments in the smallest room of the house."" -- BBC Wildlife Magazine"

Lee, a paleoanthropologist, tells us much about our evolutionary origins by sorting through our ancestors' mortal remains. I have struggled for years to find reading materials that cover the basics of human evolution without overwhelming students with dry, technical minutiae. At last, a book that does this! This book will appeal not only to students, but to anyone who is curious about the world.--Dean Falk, coauthor of Geeks, Genes, and the Evolution of Asperger Syndrome An exceptionally reader-friendly introduction to human evolution.... Highly accessible, consistently interesting popular science writing. Sang-Hee Lee has posed some of the big questions in human evolution and has written brief, clear, and jargon-free essays about them. Her informal, clear style and commonsense explanations are delightful and engaging. Brava!--Pat Shipman, professor of anthropology and author of The Invaders In this insightful collection, Sang-Hee Lee shows herself to be a gifted storyteller, breathing new life into the old bones, with both the intimate knowledge of a practitioner and a dose of cross-cultural scientific sensitivity. A pleasure to read!--Jonathan Marks, professor of anthropology and author of Tales of the Ex-Apes A terrific introduction to the story of human evolution for someone who is just beginning to explore the field, but even those familiar with the material will find a lot of new information here. An appealing, factual, and entertaining book on the ever-fascinating topic of human evolutionary history.--Wenda Trevathan, author of Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives Lee uses quick-take chapters and a congenial tone to give us an overview of what paleoanthropology has discovered and how it works.... Think of it as visiting some really old friends. Succinctly and engagingly, Lee revisits... key questions about the story of our evolving species--and gives some unconventional answers.

Lee uses quick-take chapters and a congenial tone to give us an overview of what paleoanthropology has discovered and how it works.... Think of it as visiting some really old friends. -- Library Journal A terrific introduction to the story of human evolution for someone who is just beginning to explore the field, but even those familiar with the material will find a lot of new information here. An appealing, factual, and entertaining book on the ever-fascinating topic of human evolutionary history. -- Wenda Trevathan, author of Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives I have struggled for years to find reading materials that cover the basics of human evolution without overwhelming students with dry, technical minutiae. At last, a book that does this! This book will appeal not only to students, but to anyone who is curious about the world. -- Dean Falk, coauthor of Geeks, Genes, and the Evolution of Asperger Syndrome In this insightful collection, Sang-Hee Lee shows herself to be a gifted storyteller, breathing new life into the old bones, with both the intimate knowledge of a practitioner and a dose of cross-cultural scientific sensitivity. A pleasure to read! -- Jonathan Marks, professor of anthropology and author of Tales of the Ex-Apes Sang-Hee Lee has posed some of the big questions in human evolution and has written brief, clear, and jargon-free essays about them. Her informal, clear style and commonsense explanations are delightful and engaging. Brava! -- Pat Shipman, professor of anthropology and author of The Invaders An exceptionally reader-friendly introduction to human evolution.... Highly accessible, consistently interesting popular science writing. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Lee, a paleoanthropologist, tells us much about our evolutionary origins by sorting through our ancestors' mortal remains. -- New York Times Book Review

A breath of fresh air for palaeoanthropology. Lee navigates difficult topics expertly, weaving complex ideas like fore and couvade into her light narrative style. From cannibals to art to 'hobbits', Close Encounters covers an impressive array of topics that will interest anyone fascinated by how we became human. -- Kristina Killgrove, Assistant Professor, University of West Florida In this insightful collection, Sang-Hee Lee shows herself to be a gifted storyteller, breathing new life into the old bones, with both the intimate knowledge of a practitioner and a dose of cross-cultural scientific sensitivity. A pleasure to read! -- Jonathan Marks, Professor of Anthropology and author of Tales of the Ex-Apes Sang-Hee Lee has posed some of the big questions in human evolution and has written brief, clear, and jargon-free essays about them. Her informal, clear style and commonsense explanations are delightful and engaging. Brava! -- Pat Shipman, Professor of Anthropology and author of The Invaders Close Encounters with Humankind is a delightful book full of memorable stories that reveal deep truths and penetrating mysteries about our past. What a fun way to explore the origins of our strange human ways. -- Nathan H. Lents, The Human Evolution Blog and Professor, John Jay College Close Encounters with Humankind is a terrific introduction to the story of human evolution for someone who is just beginning to explore the field, but even those familiar with the material will find a lot of new information here. I congratulate Sang-Hee Lee for writing an appealing, factual, and entertaining book on the ever-fascinating topic of human evolutionary history. -- Wenda Trevathan, author of Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives: How Evolution Shaped Women's Health Lee uses quick-take chapters and a congenial tone to give us an overview of what paleoanthropology has discovered and how it works... Think of it as visiting some really old friends. -- Library Journal I have struggled for years to find reading materials that cover the basics of human evolution without overwhelming students with dry, technical minutiae. At last, a book that does this! This book will appeal not only to students, but to anyone who is curious about the world. -- Dean Falk, coauthor of Geeks, Genes, and the Evolution of Asperger Syndrome An exceptionally reader-friendly introduction to human evolution... Highly accessible, consistently interesting popular science writing. -- Kirkus (starrred review) Lee, a paleoanthropologist, tells us much about our evolutionary origins by sorting through our ancestors' mortal remains. -- New York Times, New & Noteworthy Succinctly and engagingly, Lee revisits key questions about the story of our evolving species-and gives some unconventional answers. -- Nature Humans walk upright, possess giant brains, have nearly hairless skin, and live exceptionally long lives. How did we come to be such peculiar primates? Sang-Hee Lee tackles this question with aplomb. Deftly weaving together science and personal observation, Lee proves an engaging, authoritative guide on this nickel tour of the human condition. -- Kate Wong - Scientific American

Author Information

Sang-Hee Lee is a professor of anthropology and associate dean of the college of humanities, arts, and social sciences at UC Riverside, and lives in Riverside, California. She earned her MA and PhD in anthropology from the University of Michigan.

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