Human Biological Variation, 2nd Edition - Softcover

Mielke, James H.; Konigsberg, Lyle W.; Relethford, John H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195387406 ISBN 13: 9780195387407

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Authoritative yet accessible, Human Biological Variation, Second Edition, opens with an engaging introduction to basic genetics and the evolutionary forces that set the stage for understanding human diversity. It goes on to offer a clear and detailed discussion of molecular genetics, including its uses and its relationship to anthropological and evolutionary models. The text features up-to-date discussions of classic genetic markers (blood groups, enzymes, and proteins) along with extensive background on DNA analysis and coverage of satellite DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and Alu inserts. It covers such current issues as the meaning and significance of "race," quantitative genetics and the "nature versus nurture" debates, biocultural interactions, population structure, and cultural and historical influences on patterns of human variation. Discussing the use of probability and statistics in studying human variation and adaptation in a lucid and approachable way, the book provides clearly explained math that is kept to the level of basic algebra.

Integrating real-world examples on interesting topics--including genetic testing, lactose intolerance, dyslexia, IQ, and homosexuality--the second edition of Human Biological Variation provides the most thorough and contemporary view of our biological diversity.

About this title

About the Author:

James H. Mielke is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas.
Lyle W. Konigsberg is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
John H. Relethford is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Anthropology at the State University of New York College at Oneonta.

Review:

This is the most up-to-date and comprehensive text on human variation I have seen. The authors use excellent examples to elucidate the role of evolutionary forces on human diversity, and they present complex concepts clearly. --Lori Baker, Baylor University (need permission to use quote as edited)

"The authors provide an illuminating overview on the history of thinking about race and the classification schemes that have been applied in this arena...Importantly, the authors emphasize humans as social creatures, nothing that our capacity for culture has uniquely influenced our evolutionary trajectory. In most areas, the book is successful in reaching its goals, whereas others could leave readers unsatisfied. Nevertheless, this volume would be appropriate textbook for an upper-division undergraduate or graduate-level course." -- Brian Kemp, The Quarterly Review of Biology

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0195387406
• ISBN 13: 9780195387407
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 464