Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Having read pretty much everything else Carl Sagan wrote, I was excited to receive a copy of *Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors,* expecting the usual thoroughly enjoyable read. And it was, for the first half. The account of the formation of Earth and the emergence and mechanics of life was fascinating, clearly and articulately written, and illuminating.

It was when the discussion switched over to the apes that things went downhill for me. The first intimation that something bad was happening was "Gangland," in which Sagan and Druyan attempt to put the interior lives of the apes into words. The subject matter was somewhat interesting, but it was rather shocking to see the apes' thoughts phrased using African American expressions and word patterns. I'm positive this was unintentional, and that Sagan and Druyan were anything but racists, but it was still disquieting and made me uncomfortable.

Then, the chapters on the apes' actual, observable behaviors. It was so depressing I ultimately could barely stand to skim it. Let's just say it almost made me want to become a theist, just to deny any kinship with such odious creatures. I found them so repellent I had to force myself to finish reading.

While there are certainly behavioral similarities between humans and apes, I wish Sagan and Druyan had included more information on how humans have advanced further than our "cousins," such as cooking our food, creating music, writing, and a sense of right and wrong. We may have some of the behavioral problems of the apes, but we have also, in the main, come to at least an ideal that is better than the apes' actions. I understand that the book is about evolution, but why not also include humans' cultural evolution to illustrate that the process is still carrying through with us?

So, although there is nothing wrong with the writing, I don't think the book quite reached the finish line. Of all Sagan's books, therefore, I put this one at the bottom. If you're a Sagan fan, read it, if only for the first half--but be prepared for the second.

This is one of those books that, in some ways, changes the way you view humanity. Sagan was more than just a brilliant scientist with the ability to make his field accessible to the rest of us -- he was a prophet. And in this book, by exploring our ancient past, Sagan (and Druyan as well) helps us see ourselves as one species, and all our differences become insignificant. Even though he draws from his ealier works to make conclusions, which he frequently does, this is still one of his best achievements.

This book will take you from the beginning of our universe and trace our evolutionary steps. While never too technical, it will help you understand some pretty complex ideas such as DNA replication, evolutional theories, competition, dominance and submission, sex and much more.

If you ever wanted to know who you are, you should get this book.

I read this as a teenager when it first came out, and am in the middle of giving it another read. I was worried that it would be outdated information, but it really covers the subject well and any new information just compliments what this book is saying. I recommend it highly to anyone who is curious of our origins.

I wish I had read this book when it was first published. I would have used its insight, particularly regarding human innate tendencies,to assist my patients struggling with so many behavioral manifestations. I could have had more empathy for their struggles against their very nature.

I enjoyed this book and found it a pretty easy read for a crappy reader (like me) It explains a lot of evolution and IMO the best part of the book is the later half where it goes more into non-human primate behavior vs ours and how out current social behavior has roots in the evolutionary past. Lots of interesting information and facts in this book!

Dr. Sagan and his wife Ann Druryan tell a good story and make several compelling arguments for evolution, which I believe. One problem I have is that it becomes clear that they are trying over and over to prove that the differences between man and other animals are ones only of degree. The argument could have been more compelling if they had, with all their discussion of genes, DNA, and nucleotides, explained how animals evolve into new creatures when their numbers of chromosomes change. Also, the authors make compelling arguments regarding how man is not that much smarter than the chimpanzee. However, not once do they discuss the fact that man alone stores knowlege outside the body in the form of writing.
I liked The Dragons of Eden for its discussion of the workings of the brain. In fact, many of the laboratory experiments cited in Shadows were mentioned in his earlier works, such as the monkey that called the radish "cry-hurt food."
Good book, but in light of some of the recent revelations regarding the late Dr. Sagan's lifestyle, it's not hard to identify the parts that he wrote while he was "smoking."

After searching many books intended for non-scientific readers I finally found this wonderful book which not only addresses the most relevant scientific discoveries in human evolution and behavior, but also it is written using simple and clear language . I teach a freshman science class for non-science major students and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is one of the books we use for many reading assignments. Although shocking for some, this is the book students like the most.

I failed to see how this book demonstrates that we can get rid of God to explain our existence and our evolution, as it has been argued by some of the commentators and by the author himself. On the contrary, after reading all the concatenated facts presented by Carl Sagan, and also "how" this is supposed to have happened, I can not but wonder "why" all this has occurred, and what makes things to exist. Regarding the writing style, putting aside the first chapters, the poetic pretensions of the authors and the various boring citations to other authors, the book is easy to read, with fascinating details and facts.

Perhaps no author has assumed the daunting task of explaining all and performed it as well as Carl Sagan. His plain, non-jargonistic language and penchant for organization make this book a convincing exposition of the nature of the universe, and of us.

As usual, Sagan expresses himself in overly technical language. it would have been fairly simple to reduce his concepts to layman's terms but apparently Sagan did not feel this necessary. I am amazed that this book was on the best seller's list, since the reader must have a dictionary handy to understand the concepts properly.

It is like a hand started from the hip and with great force and speed, it reached out to smack relgion. (...)

This should be mandatory reading so childen can grow up to be free thinkers and not demoted to be controlled by some half brain religious fanataics.

Book was in wonderful condition as advertised. I wish it had arrived a bit faster, but it was in the timeframe stated, albeit the very last day. Didn't make it for the B-Day party, but it was appreciated when it did arrive.

Another book on evolution by a populist author not really for the serious Biology student. Read Origin of the species for the real thing Or the Beak of the Finch for good research into natural selection on the Galapagos. Sagan once again falls down on his interminable belief that we can find life on other planets. On the good side this book brings to the layman the evolution story written in good prose however it repeats most of his previous excursions into this subject. We all have one book in us and this is Sagan repeat. Sad when he could have utilised his brain to research black smokers and chemobacteria to more effect

Read this 5 months ago. Yes, it's grown on me to an extent, but not in a good way. Carl Sagan is clearly a clever guy, who knows his evolutionary biology. It's written in sharp, polished prose, which draws in (rather than puts off) the layperson. Having spoken to some of my science friends from university, however, it's clear that his views on extra-terrestrial intelligence are not mainstream. In isolation, that's okay, but you need to offer good quality evidence to back it up. Sagan doesn't really do this, and should therefore be more suggestive.

If we evolved from apes then shouldn't our bodies be completely covered with hair? You'd think they should, but no. Why did we lose our hair then, what benefit would that be? Hair is an important thing for survival, otherwise most other animals would've lost it too. But, then, why did we lose our hair? Well, maybe we didn't come from apes!
Evolution is probably flawed, and Creationism doesn't explain how God was created. So, I opt for the agnostic view of things. Perhaps someone else is responsible for life on earth, such as aliens or something (don't ask me who created the aliens, I don't have a clue). For further reading I suggest Erich von Daniken.