What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Inheritance
After being asked to raise Umber, a bonobo chimpanzee, in his home as part of an experiment to discover the differences in learning patterns between humans and chimps, Dr. Jim Dutton, an anthropology professor, begins to suspect that his primate pupil has been genetically altered and joins forces with Canadian journalist Valerie Radin to uncover the truth. 75,000 first printing.
519 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
84 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
183 books730 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 15, 2011
SF. Oh boy, when you can buy a used hardback for $0.95 it is not a good sign. Apparently I'm not the only person who thinks this book stinks. It's basically Congo crossed with Jurassic Park, except neither of the Gears has Crichton's talent for getting across difficult information with user-friendly efficiency, and the writing is awful. Rape is used as a threat against women (and/or the men who love them) at least four times, from two different sources. The plot has a major hole in it, but I guess we had to get that thirteen-year-old blonde girl to Africa somehow and logic wasn't doing it. Also hilarious is how they kept referring to Equatorial Guinea as deepest, darkest Africa. It's on the coast, you ninnies. Avoid.
May 16, 2020
A really good book. I enjoyed the characters tremendously and they felt pretty real to me, although perhaps a bit too saintly in some cases. Quite a lot of action and tension, some interesting speculation on the nature of humanity and animality. A long book but it moved pretty quickly.
August 2, 2008
An entertaining science fiction type of thriller that is skillfully written with well-developed characters.
I especially liked the skill in which the ape character of Umber was gradually revealed. She was an important character and one that made me think.
About my only criticism of the book is that it really checked off all the requirements for a Hollywood script. It has the broken family reunited during crisis thing going on. It's forgiveable. Overall I found myself thinking about the book when I was not reading it. It kept me interested enough to keep reading and enjoying.
I plan to read some more books by this writing team. They have a lot of work out there and judging from the wordsmithing skill and intelligence displayed in this novel, I bet they have some even better titles.
I especially liked the skill in which the ape character of Umber was gradually revealed. She was an important character and one that made me think.
About my only criticism of the book is that it really checked off all the requirements for a Hollywood script. It has the broken family reunited during crisis thing going on. It's forgiveable. Overall I found myself thinking about the book when I was not reading it. It kept me interested enough to keep reading and enjoying.
I plan to read some more books by this writing team. They have a lot of work out there and judging from the wordsmithing skill and intelligence displayed in this novel, I bet they have some even better titles.
June 4, 2023
Dieses Buch ist eine einzige Triggerwarnung. Blutig, voller Gewalt, Mord, allem, was dazu gehört. Es hat mich total mitgenommen, überfordert und geplättet. Wie genau ich das finde, weiß ich noch nicht.
Allein, dass es mich so bewegt hat, rechtfertigt aber definitiv die gute Bewertung!
Allein, dass es mich so bewegt hat, rechtfertigt aber definitiv die gute Bewertung!
April 23, 2022
Very well written and the story flowed. Fiction but it covers a subject that could easily happen.
April 16, 2022
Excellent book!!
This is is a very well-written, well-researched thriller with an exciting and thought-provoking premise. The characters are well developed and vivid. They bring out strong emotions...for both the protagonists as well as their enemies. I want more from Umber and Brett! There is plenty of suspense and action, and it is obvious the author was well versed in the science used. I would highly recommend this book, and this author!
This is is a very well-written, well-researched thriller with an exciting and thought-provoking premise. The characters are well developed and vivid. They bring out strong emotions...for both the protagonists as well as their enemies. I want more from Umber and Brett! There is plenty of suspense and action, and it is obvious the author was well versed in the science used. I would highly recommend this book, and this author!
March 22, 2022
Crying!
Will have to write a proper review another day. Took me about half an hour to read the last chapter because I was crying so much. Buy the darn book.
Will have to write a proper review another day. Took me about half an hour to read the last chapter because I was crying so much. Buy the darn book.
March 21, 2022
I was fully prepared to cry for this book, and thank the eye inside I didn't have to cry for Umber, if I could give it 6 stars I would
May 13, 2008
Can you tell I am on a kick? Trade paperback, oh sweet pulp fiction. This book was a more educated thriller than most and well-written to boot!
I am not a fan of the Cricton-like writers, mainly because techno-thrillers do very little for me; however, throw a bit of genetics, ethics, horror and the occult in there and I'll read till my hears content. Now add a killer and I am hooked.
What's best about this style of book though is that they are often decently researched and have some educational value. This book, with its heavy emphasis on anthropology, has quite a bit of information on bonobo/chimp/human evolution.
Learning and a good book? How can you go wrong! Two words: you can't.
I am not a fan of the Cricton-like writers, mainly because techno-thrillers do very little for me; however, throw a bit of genetics, ethics, horror and the occult in there and I'll read till my hears content. Now add a killer and I am hooked.
What's best about this style of book though is that they are often decently researched and have some educational value. This book, with its heavy emphasis on anthropology, has quite a bit of information on bonobo/chimp/human evolution.
Learning and a good book? How can you go wrong! Two words: you can't.
March 30, 2014
A quick and easy read. I thought the characters had great depth and I got hooked on the storyline right off. I enjoyed the science and it was explained well with just enough and not too many scientific terminology. All in all, a great read!
June 11, 2018
Liked the writing about chimps and bonobos. Disliked the violence and obsession with rape. Would skip this one.
May 19, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed. This was the second time I had read this and I think I enjoyed it more the second time than the first.
October 1, 2024
Sinopsis: W. Michael Gear y Kathleen O'Neal Gear presentan un apasionante thriller contemporáneo que invita a la reflexión, en la tradición de Jurassic Park de Michael Crichton. Aquí, un proyecto de genética de vanguardia podría conducir a un mundo mejor... o a una pesadilla.
Durante trece años, desde que el doctor Jim Dutton se convirtió en uno de los científicos elegidos para criar monos por parte del gigante farmacéutico SAC, éste, su hija Brett y su bonobo Umber constituyen una familia. Umber es mucho más que un objeto de investigación o una mascota: sabe escribir a máquina, leer, hablar el lenguaje de los signos e incluso contempla la naturaleza de Dios.
Entonces un colega obliga a Jim, a enfrentarse con una realidad que ha tratado de pasar por alto: Umber y los otros simios de la SAC son demasiado inteligentes para ser simples bonobos. Son simios “mejorados”, más similares a los primeros homínidos que a los antropoides. Y cuando la SAC de pronto exige el inmediato regreso de Umber, se vuelve vital para Jim descubrir por qué la multinacional farmacéutica ha creado esta nueva especie.
La búsqueda de respuestas se llevará a Jim y su familia a África, a un centro de SAC que aparentemente es una reserva dedicada a ayudar a los chimpancés que una vez estuvieron en cautividad. Pero las instalaciones también esconden un laboratorio de genética encubierta, una banda que monos liderada por uno de ellos que tiene los ojos azules, edificios primitivos decorados con calaveras y, en lo profundo de las sombras, cadáveres humanos salvajemente despedazos…
A partir de aquí los secretos de la SAC se convierte en una lucha por la supervivencia. De repente, Umber, Brett, y Jim se encuentran perseguidos por los seres que son ferozmente territoriales, brutalmente agresivos, con una inventiva brillante y mucho más fuertes que cualquier humano.
Y al igual que los seres humanos pueden ser total y criminalmente, psicóticos…
Opinión final del libro:
📍Con solo leer el prefacio de este libro lloré (cuando lo lean me entenderán, espero). Es un libro muy entretenido y que me mantuvo enganchada hasta el final.
Me gustó mucho que se tratara el tema sobre la experimentación con animales en este caso (simios).
Y en como juegan a ser "Dios" creando animales alterados genéticamente para su supuesto bien. El como el confinamiento en jaulas daña a los animales causadoles estrés y dependencia entre muchas otras cosas (ejemplo: T-rex quien se volvió loco por estar encerrado en una jaula y luego fue "liberado" para adaptarse nuevamente a vivir como un simio normal, ya entenderán luego porque).
Espero quien lea mi reseña quedé tan cautivado como yo y se anime a leerlo.♥️🇨🇷
Durante trece años, desde que el doctor Jim Dutton se convirtió en uno de los científicos elegidos para criar monos por parte del gigante farmacéutico SAC, éste, su hija Brett y su bonobo Umber constituyen una familia. Umber es mucho más que un objeto de investigación o una mascota: sabe escribir a máquina, leer, hablar el lenguaje de los signos e incluso contempla la naturaleza de Dios.
Entonces un colega obliga a Jim, a enfrentarse con una realidad que ha tratado de pasar por alto: Umber y los otros simios de la SAC son demasiado inteligentes para ser simples bonobos. Son simios “mejorados”, más similares a los primeros homínidos que a los antropoides. Y cuando la SAC de pronto exige el inmediato regreso de Umber, se vuelve vital para Jim descubrir por qué la multinacional farmacéutica ha creado esta nueva especie.
La búsqueda de respuestas se llevará a Jim y su familia a África, a un centro de SAC que aparentemente es una reserva dedicada a ayudar a los chimpancés que una vez estuvieron en cautividad. Pero las instalaciones también esconden un laboratorio de genética encubierta, una banda que monos liderada por uno de ellos que tiene los ojos azules, edificios primitivos decorados con calaveras y, en lo profundo de las sombras, cadáveres humanos salvajemente despedazos…
A partir de aquí los secretos de la SAC se convierte en una lucha por la supervivencia. De repente, Umber, Brett, y Jim se encuentran perseguidos por los seres que son ferozmente territoriales, brutalmente agresivos, con una inventiva brillante y mucho más fuertes que cualquier humano.
Y al igual que los seres humanos pueden ser total y criminalmente, psicóticos…
Opinión final del libro:
📍Con solo leer el prefacio de este libro lloré (cuando lo lean me entenderán, espero). Es un libro muy entretenido y que me mantuvo enganchada hasta el final.
Me gustó mucho que se tratara el tema sobre la experimentación con animales en este caso (simios).
Y en como juegan a ser "Dios" creando animales alterados genéticamente para su supuesto bien. El como el confinamiento en jaulas daña a los animales causadoles estrés y dependencia entre muchas otras cosas (ejemplo: T-rex quien se volvió loco por estar encerrado en una jaula y luego fue "liberado" para adaptarse nuevamente a vivir como un simio normal, ya entenderán luego porque).
Espero quien lea mi reseña quedé tan cautivado como yo y se anime a leerlo.♥️🇨🇷
March 15, 2023
Great near future sci-fi with heart
I have read many of their individual books over the years but this was the first I have read from them together. It's interesting as I can see both voices blended.
The story is great - pulls you in hard and never lets go - you care about these folks and what happens - and the science is mostly sound enough to be scarily believable.
In short - it's a great book - whether you like thrillers, Sci Fi, etc - it's well worth reading.
I have read many of their individual books over the years but this was the first I have read from them together. It's interesting as I can see both voices blended.
The story is great - pulls you in hard and never lets go - you care about these folks and what happens - and the science is mostly sound enough to be scarily believable.
In short - it's a great book - whether you like thrillers, Sci Fi, etc - it's well worth reading.
September 10, 2018
Anthropology, genetic engineering, an idealistic tycoon and unscrupulous pharma executives create "augmented" bonobos, and that's where our story starts...our heroes are an anthropologist, his 13 year old daughter, his former lover (mother of the daughter) and Umber, the most unforgettable ape since King Kong.
This was a great read.
This was a great read.
April 24, 2022
well written
With the backgrounds of the authors I knew this was going to be a good read. Taking the technical aspects and spinning them into the story made for an excellent read that kept my interest
With the backgrounds of the authors I knew this was going to be a good read. Taking the technical aspects and spinning them into the story made for an excellent read that kept my interest
May 3, 2022
Possible or not?
An interesting take on gene splicing. When scientists splice human genes into apes an interesting but scary future ensues. Well developed story line and characters.
An interesting take on gene splicing. When scientists splice human genes into apes an interesting but scary future ensues. Well developed story line and characters.
July 29, 2022
excellent science fiction adventure
I loved this book! The author took a subject I have read articles about, mixing chimps and humans somehow, and brought it to life. Loved Umber and Brett and the rest. Need more by these authors. Perhaps a sequel.
I loved this book! The author took a subject I have read articles about, mixing chimps and humans somehow, and brought it to life. Loved Umber and Brett and the rest. Need more by these authors. Perhaps a sequel.
August 10, 2022
Engrossing Read
I couldn't put this down. Well written although still a few proofreading errors. Great story and good characterization. Will be searching out other books by these authors.
I couldn't put this down. Well written although still a few proofreading errors. Great story and good characterization. Will be searching out other books by these authors.
April 19, 2019
Good, exciting read. Interesting topic.
December 1, 2020
Spannend!
Read
August 19, 2021I loved the concept of the story. My only complaint is the ending. Too predictable.
May 5, 2022
Great read!
I love the "sisters" in this book. I did feel that they should be aged at 17 instead of 12 though.
I love the "sisters" in this book. I did feel that they should be aged at 17 instead of 12 though.
August 1, 2022
Chilling mystery - genetic experiments gone wrong.
January 30, 2023
3.5 stars.
I read a proof, and am left curious how the final product read.
I read a proof, and am left curious how the final product read.
February 1, 2024
By the end of this thing I was ready for it to be OVER! Crazy story line .. more scifi than anything else. Sorry, I was bored stiff by the end, but was determined to finish the thing.
March 18, 2024
Not it
March 20, 2025
Die story an sich gefällt mir und war einfach zu lesen aber da Bauch hätte so viel mehr Potential gehabt um Szenen besser zu schreiben und es spannender zu machen
January 29, 2017
Not usually into suspense/thrillers, but this was an excellent novel.
June 29, 2022
Excellent book
This was an interesting read. Well worth the time and effort. Everything about story was well done,the characters, the locations,and the story line.
This was an interesting read. Well worth the time and effort. Everything about story was well done,the characters, the locations,and the story line.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews