Displaying 1 of 1 2013 Format: Book Author: Lieberman, Daniel E., 1964- Title: The story of the human body : evolution, health, and disease / Daniel Lieberman. Publisher, Date: New York : Pantheon Books, 2013. Description: xii,460 p. ; ill. ; 25 cm. Subjects: Human body. Human evolution. Adaptation (Biology) Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. LCCN: 2013011811 ISBN: 9780307379412 System Availability:1 (of 1) Current Holds: 0 Place Request Add to My List Share Expand All | Collapse All Availability Summary In this landmark book of popular science, Daniel E. Lieberman--chair of the department of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University and a leader in the field--gives us a lucid and engaging account of how the human body evolved over millions of years, even as it shows how the increasing disparity between the jumble of adaptations in our Stone Age bodies and advancements in the modern world is occasioning this paradox: greater longevity but increased chronic disease. The Story of the Human Body brilliantly illuminates as never before the major transformations that contributed key adaptations to the body: the rise of bipedalism; the shift to a non-fruit-based diet; the advent of hunting and gathering, leading to our superlative endurance athleticism; the development of a very large brain; and the incipience of cultural proficiencies. Lieberman also elucidates how cultural evolution differs from biological evolution, and how our bodies were further transformed during the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. While these ongoing changes have brought about many benefits, they have also created conditions to which our bodies are not entirely adapted, Lieberman argues, resulting in the growing incidence of obesity and new but avoidable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Lieberman proposes that many of these chronic illnesses persist and in some cases are intensifying because of "dysevolution," a pernicious dynamic whereby only the symptoms rather than the causes of these maladies are treated. And finally--provocatively--he advocates the use of evolutionary information to help nudge, push, and sometimes even compel us to create a more salubrious environment. (With charts and line drawings throughout.) Author Notes Daniel E. Lieberman is professor of human evolutionary biology and the Edwin M. Lerner II Professor of Biological Sciences at Harvard. He has written more than one hundred articles, many appearing in the journals Nature and Science. Lieberman is especially well known for his research on the evolution of the human head and the evolution of running, including barefoot running (earning him the nickname the Barefoot Professor). His research and discoveries have been highlighted widely in newspapers, magazines, books, news programs, and documentaries. Large Cover Image Trade Reviews Library Journal ReviewLieberman (biology, Harvard; The Evolution of the Human Head) here traces the physical and social evolution of human beings, arguing that the rapid changes brought about by the Agricultural and Industrial revolutions have created environmental conditions for which our bodies are not ideally adapted. Contending that humans have become ill suited for the world in which we live-one of plentiful, highly processed food and labor-saving devices that reduce the need for strenuous physical activity-Lieberman proposes that these circumstances have led to chronic but avoidable diseases such as type 2 diabetes. While the book makes its points powerfully and convincingly, it is occasionally numbingly redundant and, indeed, sometimes seems to chide humans for being human. Seasoned narrator Sean Runnette gives a solid and engaging performance. VERDICT Optional; for public libraries where there is demand.-Forrest E. Link, Coll. of New Jersey, Ewing Twp. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Publishers Weekly ReviewIn thoroughly enjoyable and edifying prose, Lieberman, professor of human evolution at Harvard, leads a fascinating journey through human evolution. He comprehensively explains how evolutionary forces have shaped the human species as we know it, from the move to bipedalism, and the changes in body parts-from hands to feet and spine-that such a change entailed, to the creation of agrarian societies, and much more. He balances a historical perspective with a contemporary one-examining traits of our ancestors as carefully as he looks to the future-while asking how we might control the destiny of our species. He argues persuasively that "cultural evolution is now the dominant force of evolutionary change acting on the human body," and focuses on what he calls "mismatch diseases" that are caused by lack of congruence between genes and environment. Since the pace of cultural evolution has outstripped that of biological evolution, mismatch diseases have increased to the point where most of us are likely to die of such causes. Lieberman's discussion of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer are as clear as any yet published, and he offers a well-articulated case for why an evolutionary perspective can greatly enrich the practice of medicine. Agent: Max Brockman, Brockman Inc. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.CHOICE ReviewBiology professor Lieberman (Harvard) has written a comprehensive, compelling book about the human body's dynamic evolution. The author carefully explores human form and function development along with health and concomitant diseases over millions of years, including humankind's continuing modifications. He provides scholarly research data from related disciplines, particularly fossil aspects and molecular levels of development. The book consists of three evolutionary components: "Apes and Humans," "Farming and the Industrial Revolution," and "The Present, the Future." Lieberman raises analytical questions about earlier relatives and the first Homo sapiens, dietary (metabolic) variations, and global migrations. He distinguishes between human and concomitant cultural evolution. For example, scientific/technological advances prompted the development of modern affluences and conveniences and assisted expanding world populations to live longer. Widespread human health issues, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart ailments, and cancers became prevalent in the past few hundred years. Lieberman also describes "mismatch" disorders and "dysevolution." The concluding chapter offers approaches for the human body's evolution in the future. Preventative, intelligent, individual, societal, and governmental modifications in modern lifestyles, including physical exercise and dietary changes, might offset impending deleterious patterns. Graphics and extensive chapter notes enhance this outstanding single-volume treatment of a complex topic. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries. J. N. Muzio emeritus, CUNY Kingsborough Community College Table of Contents Prefacep. ix1Introductionp. 3What Are Humans Adapted For?Part IApes and Humans2Upstanding Apesp. 25How We Became Bipeds3Much Depends on Dinnerp. 48How the Australopiths Partly Weaned Us Off Fruit4The First Hunter-Gatherersp. 67How Nearly Modern Bodies Evolved in the Human Genus5Energy in the Ice Agep. 94How We Evolved Big Brains Along with Large, Fat, Gradually Growing Bodies6A Very Cultured Speciesp. 126How Modern Humans Colonized the World with a Combination of Brains plus BrawnPart IIFarming and the Industrial Revolution7Progress, Mismatch, and Dysevolutionp. 157The Consequences-Good and Bad-of Having Paleolithic Bodies in a Post-Paleolithic World8Paradise Lost?p. 180The Fruits and Follies of Becoming Farmers9Modern Times, Modern Bodiesp. 209The Paradox of Human Health in the Industrial EraPart IIIThe Present, the Future10The Vicious Circle of Too Muchp. 251Why Too Much Energy Can Make Us Sick11Disusep. 293Why We Are Losing It by Not Using It12The Hidden Dangers of Novelty and Comfortp. 318Why Everyday Innovations Can Damage Us13Survival of the Fitterp. 347Can Evolutionary Logic Help Cultivate a Better Future for the Human Body?Acknowledgmentsp. 369Notesp. 371Indexp. 433 Librarian's View Suggestions and more Displaying 1 of 1
