The Journey of Man

  • Spencer Wells
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The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

  • Princeton Science Library

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Around 200,000 years ago, a man—identical to us in all important respects—lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. How did this real-life Adam wind up father of us all? What happened to the descendants of other men who lived at the same time? And why, if modern humans share a single prehistoric ancestor, do we come in so many sizes, shapes, and races? Showing how the secrets about our ancestors are hidden in our genetic code, Spencer Wells reveals how developments in the cutting-edge science of population genetics have made it possible to create a family tree for the whole of humanity. We now know not only where our ancestors lived but who they fought, loved, and influenced. Informed by this new science, The Journey of Man is replete with astonishing information. Wells tells us that we can trace our origins back to a single Adam and Eve, but that Eve came first by some 80,000 years. We hear how the male Y-chromosome has been used to trace the spread of humanity from Africa into Eurasia, why differing racial types emerged when mountain ranges split population groups, and that the San Bushmen of the Kalahari have some of the oldest genetic markers in the world. We learn, finally with absolute certainty, that Neanderthals are not our ancestors and that the entire genetic diversity of Native Americans can be accounted for by just ten individuals. It is an enthralling, epic tour through the history and development of early humankind—as well as an accessible look at the analysis of human genetics that is giving us definitive answers to questions we have asked for centuries, questions now more compelling than ever.

" The Journey of Man  is a book that should be read, for undeniably the story Wells reveals will transform our understanding of ourselves."—Tim Flannery, , New York Review of Books

"Spencer Wells chronicles the history of genetic population studies, starting with Darwin's puzzlement over the diversity of humanity he saw first-hand from the deck of the Beagle, and ending with the various attempts to classify human variation on the basis of different political and social agendas."—Rebecca Cann, , Nature

" The Journey of Man  is fascinating and oozes charm. . . . [It] is packed with important insights into our history and our relationships with each other. . . . Who needs literature when science is this much fun?"—Chris Lavers, Guardian

" The Journey of Man  is the best account available of the story of human origins and dispersals."—Colin Renfrew, Times Higher Education Supplement

"Fortunately for the lay reader, Wells has a knack for clear descriptions and clever analogies to help explain the intricacies of the science involved. Both entertaining and enlightening."— Library Journal

"Wells does an excellent job of making complex scientific data accessible and weaves a tapestry of physical anthropology and archaeology as well as linguistics and, of course, genetics to piece together the rise of the agricultural society, the interrelations between far-flung languages, and the eventual settlement of humans into virtually every corner of the globe."—Elise Proulx, East Bay Express

"Written with much verve, easy to read, and up-to-date on many important developments."—Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, Stanford University, author of The History and Geography of Human Genes and Genes, Peoples, and Languages .

"Spencer Wells, whose genetic work has contributed to our understanding of human prehistory, has provided the lay reader with an account of the spread and mixing of the human species from its origin in Africa that is both scientifically accurate and accessible to the nonscientist. In achieving that accessibility, he has not made the common error of confusing simple explanations with simplistic ones. Most important, Wells has the intellectual integrity, all too rare in popularizations of science, to distinguish what is really known from what is only speculation."—Richard Lewontin, Harvard University, author of It Ain't Necessarily So: The Dream of the Human Genome and Other Illusions .

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Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, impacts millions of people around the world. TV series have portrayed the illness with various results. Unfortunately, alcohol use disorder is often not taken seriously or played as comedy. However, there are certain series that accurately showcase alcohol use disorder, both the consequences that the illness brings and the fact that there is so often hope for recovery with love and support.

Some series, like M*A*S*H , take a serious look at the realities of addiction in a single, character-focused storyline. Other series, like Shameless , had themes connected to alcohol use disorder woven throughout the entire series. The most effective storylines on TV that portray alcohol use disorder focus on the humanity of the person with the illness. These stories also show how the illness impacts the friends and family members of those with the illness and how important community support is in recovery.

10 'M*A*SH'

"bottoms up" (season 9, episode 15).

Throughout M*A*S*H 's time on the air , the show often made something of a joke about the rampant alcohol use that became a part of the culture of the 4077th. "Bottoms Up" takes a more serious approach to alcohol use disorder and shows how traumatic environments can serve as massive triggers. Margaret's ( Loretta Swit ) friend Helen Whitfield ( Gail Strickland ) visits the 4077th as a visiting nurse, and it quickly becomes apparent that her alcohol use is interfering with her life and career.

What makes this episode so effective is that it showcases how alcohol use disorder can impact those who are talented and career-driven . This episode first aired in 1981, and so it is notable that the series portrayed alcohol use disorder in a woman. While "Bottom's Up" makes the connection that alcohol use is often tied to traumatic environments and experiences, like war, the episode also shows that the illness is far more complex and that there are people who are more at risk due to historical factors.

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9 'The West Wing'

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In the middle of President Barlet's ( Martin Sheen ) legal troubles about the fact that he concealed his multiple sclerosis diagnosis from the American public, Leo McGarry ( John Spencer ) is also put under the microscope. Fairly early on in the series, it is established that this character lived with alcohol use disorder. From the early days of The West Wing , Leo acknowledges his history with alcohol use disorder. It comes out that he also struggled with addiction to other substances.

Throughout The West Wing , Leo is shown to be open and honest about his alcohol use disorder. It is clear that those around him, including his family and his colleagues, are nothing less than supportive of him. "Barlet for America" is an honest look at how those with alcohol use disorder can engage in recovery with support . Leo's honesty in this episode is notable as well, as he describes his own experience with alcohol use disorder, how it impacted his life, and how he was eventually able to engage in recovery.

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8 'mom', "a community hero and a wide turn" (season 8, episode 17).

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"A Community Hero and a Wide Turn" is a testament to the massive impact that Marjorie has had on her friends. Watching Bonnie ( Allison Janney ) earnestly celebrate her friend and how influential she is. This penultimate episode is also a showcase of how powerful mutual aid is in recovery. "A Community Hero and a Wide Turn" is especially heartwarming because it has such a hopeful tone when Marjorie is ultimately reunited with her previously estranged son .

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7 'BoJack Horseman'

"a horse walks into a rehab" (season 6, episode 1).

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5 'The Flight Attendant'

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The premiere episode of The Flight Attendant showcases the chaos that so often comes with alcohol use disorder. While the introduction to Cassie as a character becomes increasingly dramatic, she is always shown to be fully human. It is immediately easy to empathize with Cassie, as her life is evidently in the middle of a significant, life-altering spiral. While Cassie's story may become increasingly wild as the series continues, the first episode remains a grounded portrayal of how alcohol use disorder can affect anyone.

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4 'Mad Men'

"the rejected" (season 4, episode 4).

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3 'Criminal Minds'

"self-fulfilling prophecy" (season 7, episode 9).

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2 'how to get away with murder', "say goodbye" (season 6, episode 1).

How to Get Away With Murder followed Annalise Keating ( Viola Davis ), a defense attorney and law professor who finds herself and some of her students on the wrong side of the law. Annalise's alcohol use disorder impacts her life in subtle ways as the series goes on. However, in the premiere episode of the final season, things come to a head for her while her life unravels. As she deals with a death and a disappearance, she decides to go to rehab.

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The Queen's Gambit follows chess prodigy Elizabeth "Beth" Harmon as she rises through the ranks of international chess. Throughout the miniseries, Beth is shown to struggle with trauma, addiction, and grief as she advances in her career. The final episode of the series features flashbacks to Beth's childhood and how her mother also lived with alcohol use disorder. The episode gives Beth a chance to acknowledge her past and make a kind of peace with it to move forward .

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The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey (Princeton Science Library, 51)

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The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey (Princeton Science Library, 51) Paperback – March 28, 2017

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Around 200,000 years ago, a man--identical to us in all important respects--lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. How did this real-life Adam wind up father of us all? What happened to the descendants of other men who lived at the same time? And why, if modern humans share a single prehistoric ancestor, do we come in so many sizes, shapes, and races? Showing how the secrets about our ancestors are hidden in our genetic code, Spencer Wells reveals how developments in the cutting-edge science of population genetics have made it possible to create a family tree for the whole of humanity. We now know not only where our ancestors lived but who they fought, loved, and influenced. Informed by this new science, The Journey of Man is replete with astonishing information. Wells tells us that we can trace our origins back to a single Adam and Eve, but that Eve came first by some 80,000 years. We hear how the male Y-chromosome has been used to trace the spread of humanity from Africa into Eurasia, why differing racial types emerged when mountain ranges split population groups, and that the San Bushmen of the Kalahari have some of the oldest genetic markers in the world. We learn, finally with absolute certainty, that Neanderthals are not our ancestors and that the entire genetic diversity of Native Americans can be accounted for by just ten individuals. It is an enthralling, epic tour through the history and development of early humankind--as well as an accessible look at the analysis of human genetics that is giving us definitive answers to questions we have asked for centuries, questions now more compelling than ever.

  • Print length 240 pages
  • Language English
  • Publisher Princeton University Press
  • Publication date March 28, 2017
  • Dimensions 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • ISBN-10 0691176019
  • ISBN-13 978-0691176017
  • See all details

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Editorial Reviews

From the back cover.

"Written with much verve, easy to read, and up-to-date on many important developments." --Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, Stanford University, author of The History and Geography of Human Genes and Genes, Peoples, and Languages .

"Spencer Wells, whose genetic work has contributed to our understanding of human prehistory, has provided the lay reader with an account of the spread and mixing of the human species from its origin in Africa that is both scientifically accurate and accessible to the nonscientist. In achieving that accessibility, he has not made the common error of confusing simple explanations with simplistic ones. Most important, Wells has the intellectual integrity, all too rare in popularizations of science, to distinguish what is really known from what is only speculation." --Richard Lewontin, Harvard University, author of It Ain't Necessarily So: The Dream of the Human Genome and Other Illusions .

About the Author

Product details.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press; Revised edition (March 28, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691176019
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691176017
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • #682 in Genetics (Books)
  • #3,084 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)
  • #3,925 in Biology (Books)

About the authors

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Spencer Wells

Spencer Wells is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and Frank H. T. Rhodes Class of '56 Professor at Cornell University. He leads the Genographic Project, which is collecting and analyzing hundreds of thousands of DNA samples from people around the world in order to decipher how our ancestors populated the planet. Wells received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and conducted postdoctoral work at Stanford and Oxford. He has written three books, The Journey of Man, Deep Ancestry, and Pandora's Seed. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, a documentary filmmaker.

Customer reviews

  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 66% 24% 7% 3% 1% 66%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 66% 24% 7% 3% 1% 24%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 66% 24% 7% 3% 1% 7%
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  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 66% 24% 7% 3% 1% 1%

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Customers say

Customers find the book very readable and not too technical. They also find the content sufficiently informative and strong, with a hugely interesting story and great description of early migration out of Africa. Customers also describe the overall quality as easy to read and well presented.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book readable, with credible arguments presented in a very readable way. They also appreciate the succinct and supporting documentation for the use of the Y. Readers also mention that the book is not difficult to follow.

"...It is a well written book ...." Read more

"...It is not difficult to follow if you don't try to remember all the data...." Read more

"Great book and very well written . I am a professional cultural anthropologist who just retired after 42 years of teaching...." Read more

"...speed at which the material can be absorbed, are the many geographical references to places that most people have never heard about, be they in..." Read more

Customers find the book sufficiently informative, well-written, and based in hard science. They also say the author stays on top of his topic and makes it easy to understand the complex genetic story of humankind. Readers also say that the book works to bring clarity to ancient DNA and makes a very strong argument.

"...All in all, I think Wells has given an excellent and simple survey of the subject , accessible to anybody who wishes to follow the author on this..." Read more

"...However, it is fascinating in how it traces our ancestory and demonstrates genetic proofs of our journey around the world...." Read more

"...bringing the findings of several disciplines together to make a very strong argument ...." Read more

"...Pros: Nice primer into the field of genetic history , neither too scholarly nor too superficial...." Read more

Customers find the story interesting, easy to read, and detailed. They also appreciate the great description of early human migration and the science behind it.

"...DNA and all the scientific jargon there is of course a hugely interesting story ...." Read more

"... Interesting . Worth the read. Aimed at the Lay reader. I am glad I read the book...." Read more

"The Journey of Man is one of the most exciting detective stories I've ever read!..." Read more

"The Journey of man is easy to read and an exciting story of discovery ...." Read more

Customers find the book easy to read, well presented, and fascinating. They also say the title describes the book perfectly.

"...I'd also like to mention the very useful drawing of the "M-tree" on page 181, and the world-map with migration routes on pages 182-183...." Read more

"...Did I mention the wonderful photographs ?" Read more

"...The illustrations are particularly useful and I bookmarked some important ones to serve as a constant reference during my reading...." Read more

"...The title describes the book perfectly . All in all It gives a thorough enough account for the lay person of mans journey out of Africa...." Read more

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VIDEO

  1. The Journey of Life

  2. Genealogist Dr Spencer Wells talks about Humans Genetics

  3. Spencer wells freestyle jet ski

  4. Will Self and Spencer Wells

  5. Spencer Wells

  6. THE JOURNEY OF MAN THE GENETIC ODDSSY: Written by Spencer wells _REVIEW_

COMMENTS

  1. The Journey of Man

    The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey is a 2002 book by Spencer Wells, an American geneticist and anthropologist, in which he uses techniques and theories of genetics and evolutionary biology to trace the geographical dispersal of early human migrations out of Africa.The book was made into a TV documentary in 2003. [1]

  2. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    Hardcover - January 12, 2003. by Spencer Wells (Author), Mark Read (Photographer) 4.5 558 ratings. See all formats and editions. Around 60,000 years ago, a man--identical to us in all important respects--lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him.

  3. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey. Paperback - February 17, 2004. by Spencer Wells (Author) 553. See all formats and editions. Around 60,000 years ago, a man—genetically identical to us—lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him.

  4. The Journey of Man

    The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

  5. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    Spencer Wells. Princeton University Press, Mar 28, 2017 - Reference - 240 pages. Around 200,000 years ago, a man--identical to us in all important respects--lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. How did this real-life Adam wind up father of us all? What happened to the descendants of other men who lived at the same time?

  6. The Journey of Man : A Genetic Odyssey

    The Journey of Man : A Genetic Odyssey. Paperback - January 1, 2003. by Spencer Wells (Author) 4.5 559 ratings. See all formats and editions. Around 60,000 years ago, a man, identical to us in all important respects, walked the soil of Africa. Every man alive today is descended from him.

  7. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey. The Journey of Man. : Spencer Wells. Random House Publishing Group, Oct 31, 2012 - Science - 240 pages. Around 60,000 years ago, a man—genetically identical to us—lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him.

  8. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    Spencer Wells was formerly head of the population genetics research group at Oxford University's Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics and is currently a consultant to the biotechnology industry. The writer and presenter of the science film The Journey of Man, he has been a consulting scientist for several other film productions.

  9. The Journey of Man by Spencer Wells: 9780307830456

    About The Journey of Man. Around 60,000 years ago, a man—genetically identical to us—lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. ... Spencer Wells reveals how developments in the revolutionary science of population genetics have made it possible to create a family tree for the whole of humanity.

  10. The journey of man : a genetic odyssey : Wells, Spencer, 1969- : Free

    The journey of man : a genetic odyssey by Wells, Spencer, 1969-Publication date 2002 Topics Human evolution, Human genetics, Biological Evolution Publisher London : Allen Lane ... "Informed by this new science, The Journey of Man is packed with information: that there was a real Adam and Eve - but that Eve came first by some 80,000 years; that ...

  11. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey by Spencer Wells

    The Journey of Man was written by Spencer Wells, a geneticist with a PhD in Biology from Harvard University. Wells wrote this book in conjunction with a documentary by the same title as part of the Genographic Project. The Genographic Project - headed by Wells and funded by National Geographic and IBM - is focused on mapping the geographic ...

  12. The journey of man : a genetic odyssey : Wells, Spencer, 1969- : Free

    The journey of man : a genetic odyssey Bookreader Item Preview ... The journey of man : a genetic odyssey by Wells, Spencer, 1969-Publication date 2002 ... Around 60,000 years ago, a man, genetically identical to us, lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. How did this real-life Adam wind up as the father of us all?

  13. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey. The Journey of Man. : Spencer Wells. Penguin Books Limited, May 29, 2003 - Science - 288 pages. Around 60,000 years ago, a man, identical to us in all important respects, walked the soil of Africa. Every man alive today is descended from him.

  14. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey by Spencer Wells, Paperback

    Editorial Reviews "The Journey of Man is a book that should be read, for undeniably the story Wells reveals will transform our understanding of ourselves."—-Tim Flannery, , New York Review of Books "Spencer Wells chronicles the history of genetic population studies, starting with Darwin's puzzlement over the diversity of humanity he saw first-hand from the deck of the Beagle, and ending with ...

  15. PDF Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey By Spencer Wells

    world for its evolutionary and historical secrets. The focus has sharpened after genetic scientist Spencer Wells found strains of genes in some communities of Tamil. Nadu that were present in the early man of Africa.In the "Journey of Man" aired by the National Geographic channel, Wells says the first wave of migration of early man from Africa ...

  16. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    "The Journey of Man is a book that should be read, for undeniably the story Wells reveals will transform our understanding of ourselves."---Tim Flannery, , New York Review of Books "Spencer Wells chronicles the history of genetic population studies, starting with Darwin's puzzlement over the diversity of humanity he saw first-hand from the deck of the Beagle, and ending with the various ...

  17. The Human Journey

    Anthropologist, geneticist, author, and entrepreneur Spencer Wells discusses his work using genetics to track human movement patterns around the world. A new...

  18. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey

    The Journey of Man. : Spencer Wells. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2003 - Science - 218 pages. Around 60,000 years ago, a man—genetically identical to us—lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. How did this real-life Adam wind up as the father of us all?

  19. Spencer Wells

    Spencer Wells [1] (born April 6, 1969) is an American geneticist, ... He wrote the book The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey (2002), [3] which explains how genetic data has been used to trace human migrations over the past 50,000 years, when modern humans first migrated outside of Africa. According to Wells, one group took a southern route and ...

  20. Spencer Wells

    This is Spencer Wells - The journey of man - A genetic odyssey. Part 1 of 13. Where did homo sapiens originate from? How did we spread across the face of the...

  21. 10 Best TV Episodes About Alcoholism

    In the middle of President Barlet's (Martin Sheen) legal troubles about the fact that he concealed his multiple sclerosis diagnosis from the American public, Leo McGarry (John Spencer) is also put ...

  22. The Journey Of Man

    The Journey Of Man Is An Enthralling Epic Tour Through The History And Development Of Early Humankind Relying On Analysis Of Human Genetics To Provide Definitive Answers To Questions We Have Asked For Centuries. Questions Which, In An Age Obsessed By Our Biological Inheritance, Are More Compelling Than Ever. ... The Journey Of Man: Author ...

  23. Amazon.com: Journey of Man : Dr. Spencer Wells, Clive Maltby: Movies & TV

    A group of geneticists have worked on the question for a decade, arriving at a startling conclusion: the ""global family tree"" can be traced to one African man who lived 60,000 years ago. Dr. Spencer Wells hosts this innovative series, featuring commentary by expert scientists, historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists. From the Back Cover

  24. The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey (Princeton Science Library, 51)

    "The Journey of Man is a book that should be read, for undeniably the story Wells reveals will transform our understanding of ourselves."---Tim Flannery, , New York Review of Books "Spencer Wells chronicles the history of genetic population studies, starting with Darwin's puzzlement over the diversity of humanity he saw first-hand from the deck of the Beagle, and ending with the various ...