Overview
How did wolves evolve into dogs? When did this happen, and what role did humans play? Oxford geneticist Bryan Sykes used the full array of modern technology to explore the canine genetic journey when our ancestors first learned to hunt together with wolves. In the process, he discovered that only a handful of genes have created the huge range of shapes, sizes, and colors in modern dogs. Providing insight into these adaptive stages in “prose both scientific and poetic” (Booklist), Once a Wolf also focuses attention on how human evolution was enhanced by this most improbable ally. Whether examining our obsession with canine purity or delving into the prehistoric past to answer the most fundamental question of all—Why do we love our dog so much?—this book is “a must read for anybody who has ever wondered about the origins of human’s best friend” (Library Journal).
Full Product Details
Author: Bryan Sykes (Oxford Ancestors)
Publisher: WW Norton & Co
Imprint: Liveright Publishing Corporation
Dimensions:
Width: 14.00cm
, Height: 2.00cm
, Length: 21.10cm
Weight: 0.236kg
ISBN: 9781631496615
ISBN 10: 1631496611
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 03 July 2020
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
How did wolves evolve into dogs? Persuasively... Sykes reviews the state of the art on matters canine and lupine. Scientifically inclined dog lovers will find this a trove of information and provocation. Reading this is like having your own personal geneticist explain complex research papers in a way that is both comprehensible and fascinating. Heavily peppered with references to scientific papers that have documented the research on dog genetics, this also serves as a wealth of further reading material. Rich in accessible analogies that deftly explain complex scientific concepts, this is a must-read for anybody who has wondered about the origins of humans' best friend. Rich with details about how humans have studied and shaped dog evolution.... Sykes also has a gift for rendering complex concepts, such as mitochondrial DNA or genetic microsatellites, accessible to lay readers.--Publishers Weekly
How did wolves evolve into dogs? Persuasively... Sykes reviews the state of the art on matters canine and lupine. Scientifically inclined dog lovers will find this a trove of information and provocation. Rich with details about how humans have studied and shaped dog evolution.... Sykes also has a gift for rendering complex concepts, such as mitochondrial DNA or genetic microsatellites, accessible to lay readers.--Publishers Weekly Reading this is like having your own personal geneticist explain complex research papers in a way that is both comprehensible and fascinating. Heavily peppered with references to scientific papers that have documented the research on dog genetics, this also serves as a wealth of further reading material. Rich in accessible analogies that deftly explain complex scientific concepts, this is a must-read for anybody who has wondered about the origins of humans' best friend.
Author Information
Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford University, pioneered the use of DNA in exploring the human past. He is the author of Saxons, Vikings, and Celts and the New York Times bestseller The Seven Daughters of Eve.
