Essentials of Physical Anthropology

by Robert Jurmain, Lynn Kilgore, Wenda Trevathan

Concise, well-balanced, and comprehensive, ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 10th Edition, introduces you to physical anthropology with the goal of helping you understand why it is important to know about human evolution. You'll learn how humans are biologically connected to all other life, including our ancient ancestors and our contemporary primate cousins, and how closely modern human populations are related to each other. Numerous high-quality visual diagrams, artwork, maps, photographs, and other learning tools will help you grasp the big picture of human evolution.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Science, School, Biology, Academic

471 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Robert Jurmain is a professor emeritus of anthropology at San Jose State University.

Reviews

[Reeny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was assigned for a college level physical anthropology class but is written for a fairly uninformed ninth grader in my opinion. It was pretty boring and basic and had a good handful of scientific inaccuracies.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was assigned the 7th edition for a physical anthropology class at a community college. I didn't LOVE it, and I found some of the claims made to be unsubstantiated, but it was a pretty interesting read. It was way better than the last anthro book I had to read--ugh!! I don't remember what the title of it was but this one was way better.

[Hannah Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Well-balanced" may not take into account some bias on Jurmain's part, but at least it was humorous... for a textbook.

[ella fontes]

finished two school books today…feeling like an academic weapon💪📚

[Hayley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a physical Anthropology class at a community college. The book was quite interesting for those who are interested in evolution, however, there are basic errors throughout the book. One that has stuck with me for the past three years is that on one page they discuss the sequencing of the human genome, saying it was sequenced in 2001, then later they say it was sequenced in 2003 (in the ninth edition, pages 45 and 58... exact same sentences but "2001" substitutes "2003")! Luckily I have Google by my side but these errors should be found and corrected in a book that is commonly used for teaching.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I didn't exactly read this book for fun...initially. It was a book I had to have for a class, but it's a reference book that I go back to a lot. And, it was one book and one class I never complained about having to read or do work for.

[Eden Crowhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you think that I am not counting this bad boy for my reading goal, you have another thing coming. I read this for my biological anthropology class and I actually really enjoyed it (for it being a textbook and all)

[Alannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the 7th edition 3 times and it'll be a 4th shortly. I actually quite enjoy it. It's for uni of course. But it's a subject I love so who cares. Great summary of palaeoanthropology.

[Ally M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read every single chapter of this textbook for class, and by God am I counting it on my reading challenge

[Bunnie Hartley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is recognized, as educational textbook used my college however it is extremely biased. Although evolution is completely contrary from religious beliefs. It rather takes a personal opinion against specially Christianity describing it as baseless and blames religion for lack of education as well as set backs in science.It includes multiple converses and the debate between Nye and Hams in 2014. Which I have personally watched Nye discredited the christian's geogology institution as complete heresy.When they have plenty of studies that have nothing to do with religion was personal attack unrelated to Ham debate., And the book explains that this debate was just for front to covert people into Christianity. As well as giving American children the opportunity to learn both evolutionary and creationary ideas of origin and choose what they want to believe as unfair and teaching hersey as a science. Ham debates sole purpose was too allow the creationism educational system coexist by allowing them to believe in there theory and be accepted by the science community as legitimate. As well as collaborate on non-conflicting subjects which was not mentioned. The book goes on to only include creationists fallocies, and discluded Darwin's biggest fallocies. Darwin had a lot influence for his theories on evolution. However his theory of the origin of man was at the base racist. He didn't not believe all humans evolved from a ape like ancestors but spefically only blacks and go to say they separate species from white Europeans.Darwin had no paletologist evidence at the time way before early homin remains were uncovered. He was just grasping at straws, but his theory on evolution was recognized while Alfred who came the same theories on evolution that didn't include such racists propaganda or his grandfather who originally proposed the ideas as well as hinted at the current standing the theory of evolution fell into the limelight. The book lacks to mention a creationist who later opposed Darwin but originally supported , founded the natural history museum, named/ discovered dinosaurs as entirely new species and research contributed to Darwin's early foundings, Owen. Because he was creationist at heart and did not accept evolution but understood adaptions , and variations in species his statue was taken down from the very museum he founded. Which original was made for creationist not naturalist and rival Darwin replaced him. Owen was completely discredited by the science community regardless of him being the true father of paletology.All of this religion vs science shouldn't be mentioned in a textbook , religion in general is life style and a scientist wrong or right should be recognized by their research not judge by personal belief.

It is well possible to teach evolution without the mentions of god, whether a person was creationist or not ( rather the just state if they supported Darwin or not), Christianity or the debates between them. And keep it strictly educational recognize the fallocies and current running theories in evolution.

Furthermore if they really wanted teach evolution to public School children it be more convincing if left discrediting religion out of it. And did a simple class how dinosaurs evolved, and teaching evolutionary ideas like natural selection through non human species and not including any mention of the origin of life there would be 0 religious conflict of teaching this in school.

[John Ayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The authors contradict themselves in several places and give various answers for the same questions but, the book seems to present a very good overview of the concept of human evolution.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a 1st year university anthropology class. It is a great read and also has a DVD that goes with it. Very informative....too bad I didn't do that good in the class! lol

[Mahmoud Mansour · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Mohammed Barri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors really did good job simplifying this fascinating journey of human being in pursuit of answering what does it mean to be human? It is very clear and enjoyable.

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

7th edition