History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Understanding Human Evolution (5th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Complete, comprehensive and compelling

Understanding Human Evolution (5th Edition)
Jeffrey K. McKee , Frank E. Poirier , and W. Scott McGraw
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131113909

Book Description

This book provides a complete, unbiased, relatively non-technical overview and state-of-the-art discussion of the rapidly changing field of paleoanthropology. It features an abundance of illustrations and photographs from the authors' visits to fossil sites, and views skeletal remains in light of what they can reveal about the populations they represent -- not only their anatomy but also their behavior and social organization. Features rather extensive discussions on the use of genetic data -- particularly that of mtDNA. Covers: Fossils, Fossilization, and Dating Methods; Determining Evolutionary Relationships; Our Place in the Animal Kingdom; Reconstructing Human Behavioral Patterns and Social Organizations: Use of the Comparative Approach; Early Primate Evolution; The Transition to Apes; Trends in Human Evolution; The Earliest Hominids; The Hominid Divergence; Homo Erectus; Early Homo Sapiens; Neandertals and Their Immediate Predecessors; and The Appearance of Homo sapiens sapiens. For anyone interested in a state-of-the-art discussion of paleoanthropology.

Customer Reviews:

Complete, comprehensive and compelling.......2002-02-02

Poirier and McKee present a wealth of information on the history of human evolution. They outline the methods of dating, identifying and assembling hominid fossils. Dating is shown to be, within the ranges of accuracy, nearly an absolute with today's technology. With the age of the fossil[s] established and the parts identified, the fossil may then be placed in its proper location on the human family tree. Poirier and McKee spend the remainder of the book describing the concepts, controversies and resolutions associated with that final step. The material requires attentive perusal, but the interested reader will be richly rewarded.

Early hominid fossils were chronologically located by stratigraphy - the position of the fossil in the rocks in relation to other, known, remnants. The early finds were often located in poorly identified areas, or mistakenly dated for a variety of reasons. Paleoanthropologists of an earlier day lacked the technology available today. Worse, they were often unaware of the need to examine the likely environment of the time the fossil was laid down. As the authors point out, this misunderstanding led to misinterpretation of how evolutionary relationships were structured. Today's "digs" are the subject of multi-discipline effort, with botanists, geologists and other fields represented. The more comprehensive picture laid out by these environment associated with the find allow a firmer footing on our ancestral lineage.

While that assertion sounds promising and our heritage is now viewed with confidence, nothing could be further from the truth. Where the human evolutionary tree once looked rather simple, with but a few offshoots extending from the central trunk, the improved accuracy of dating shows many branches. How many of these truly belong on the main branch and how many led to the dead end of extinction is what gives this book its real value.

Paleoanthropology has been among the liveliest of sciences. The debates and controversies have left academic halls and achieved public exposure. Poirier and McKee present the contentions of most of the major figures in the field with circumspection and clarity. With each new find, various interpretations arose, researchers attacking and defending positions from various foundations. The authors give each assertion its due, with resolution occasionally based on their own assessment. They have no hesitation in stating their own position, but it's given with justifications. Counter arguments are made with confirming data. Evidence is shown, but not nearly as strongly as the need for new results. This book, in many respects, reads like an academic work, but that in no small part is due to the authors'
call for more work in the field.

It would be unfair to say that every hominid fossil is given the authors' personal scrutiny, but the impression is proximate. Nearly every major site, with many of the associated prime fossils are described, sometimes with maps and photographs. The illustrative material, maps, diagrams and photographs are invaluable. About the only missing element is a single skeleton and skull with the bones frequently discussed in the book labeled. While many are, they must be examined out of context in many cases. If you have the anatomy, you won't need the information, but the rest of us require the crutch.

For anyone wishing to keep abreast of the research in determining where humanity comes from, this book is a treasure. Given the amount of information the authors had to cope with, the work is clear, unequivocal and immensely valuable. While not a light read, there's little to obstruct even the novice reader. The material is well organized and presented with a clear, straightforward style. Since the authors' aim is to explain [and recruit!] without perplexing the reader or seeking adherence to positions, they have produced a book that will endure.

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Thank You For Writing The Disposable Male

DARWIN EXPLAINED, MORE OR LESS

Just one man's opinion

At Last, Someone's Written it All Down

Gender stereotypes recast in scientific jargon

The Disposable Male: Sex, Love, and Money--Your World Through Darwin's Eyes
Michael Gilbert
Manufacturer: The Hunter Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The God Delusion

Letter to a Christian Nation

The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason

The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature

ASIN: 0977655237

Product Description

In its fast paced, entertaining pages you will learn about the deep-seated forces that shape the behavior of today's men and women, and develop valuable tools for getting the most out of your relationships, your work, and your life. A rollicking ride--from the Big Bang to the day after tomorrow--The Disposable Male delivers a searching examination of what it means to be human in our modern, high-tech wonderland. It will have you looking at your world in a whole new and exciting way.

Customer Reviews:

Thank You For Writing The Disposable Male.......2007-06-19

As a 37 single male living in Hollywood, CA, your book provided me with an insightful and invaluable perspective into "how come" we men are where we are today without being "preachy" or redundant. By means of pragmatic logic, light hearted anecdotes and statistical analysis you paint an uncanny holistic "snapshot" of many sentiments that i too have felt about being "disposable" in modern society. Indeed, it is a relief to have some of these pent-up concerns finally unearthed and validated by someone with legitimate expertise on the subject.

Now that you have firmly established the "how come" part, I'm hoping you next delve further into the "how to's" of attaining, sustaining and mastering the more enticing role of "Indispensable Man". Perhaps a follow up book is in the works? I sincerely hope so...KS

DARWIN EXPLAINED, MORE OR LESS.......2007-02-01

I am an assistant professor teaching in a field related, but not directly applicable, to the book, which was brought to my attention by one of my students. I am, however, familiar with much of the science.

I would give this book an A for effort, with an overall grade of B+ (which I guess means 4 stars). The deductions are for the lack of footnotes (the author says above that they're coming to the book's web site, but there's simply too much here that's controversial to excuse the delay). The book also would have been better if opposing views were featured more often and if the language didn't occasionally sacrifice precision in favor of style.

That said, The Disposable Male is a very bold and highly-readable book. It may succeed where many others have failed and win the prize for conveying the story of evolution to the general public. It's been almost 150 years since Darwin's The Origin of Species was first published, and its implications couldn't be more relevant. The theory of evolution is still wildly controversial, at least in America, just look at some of our faithful school boards. This is where Gilbert shines. The impact of our ancient past, the crucial role our genes and hormones play, not to mention our biological predispositions, count for a whole lot, says the author, even in the way we live our hectic lives today. Near as I can tell, the underlying science is mostly within mainstream thinking and general references are sprinkled throughout the book. Deploying casual language, humor (sometimes side-splitting) and some vivid metaphors in the service of a very ambitious undertaking, Michael Gilbert lays out the Darwinian version of the creation story, educating readers about many crucial aspects of our modern existence. Placing the evolutionary spotlight he develops on contemporary times yields a diagnosis best summed up in his comment that, despite our social progress, "there are cavemen and cavewomen at the keyboards."

This ground has been tread by other writers. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus actually uses evolutionary principles but it is several leagues beneath this book. Scholars such as Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, and Matt Ridley (as well as Robert Wright) aim their work above the heads of the ordinary American reader. Gilbert, who has a disarmingly casual way of talking about some very controversial things, gets it just about right, I think, even if he cuts the odd corner.

At its heart, The Disposable Male is a credo, a way of looking at life. The problem comes when you attempt to apply the philosophy to individual lives. There he, and the many thinkers in the field of evolutionary psychology, is on less firm ground. He's almost certainly correct when he argues that we've gotten too far away from nature. He also makes a point of saying that there is a great deal of variation within each gender when nature's laws are viewed in human terms. This can't be said enough and he probably doesn't.

Perusing the reviews here confirms my sense that this is a provocative, informative and entertaining book. It will elicit a wide range of genuinely heartfelt but not always sympathetic responses. To my way of thinking, that makes it a pretty good read. Here's how one thoughtful reviewer puts it below. "If there's a more accessible, broader, and enjoyable presentation of sociobiology/evolutionary insights, I don't know it." Neither do I.

Just one man's opinion.......2007-01-28

Not only was this book homophobic, the whole book was fiction strung together with quotes and studies that are not footnoted. Some of the studies I recognized and have been debunked. This is not to say that the topic is not a worthy one for discussion. However, the book was boring and amaturish. I was expecting the caliber of Jared M. Diamond or Sperm War by Robin Baker
A heterosexual male

At Last, Someone's Written it All Down.......2007-01-25

This book lays out a Darwinian view of life that says just about everything I think and feel about women and men, sex and romance and what family life is all about. In the first half the author takes you literally from the Big Bang to today. He lays out the evolutionary point-of-view in a funny and very interesting way, explaining how the original relationship evolved between the sexes. There are many interesting diversions along the way, about everything from how our brains developed, to the role our genes play in our make-up now, to the meaning of our sexual fantasies.

In the second half of the book Gilbert turns to our modern lives. Thats when he analyzes how our lives look when you look at it from this evolutionary position. How the lives of men and women today are in harmony with the past and how our lives now vary from it. This leads in to a lot of common sense ideas but also some controversial issues. In a way, its a conservative book but the more traditional values he puts forth are based on science, not on religion.

Feminists are going to hate this book but, as a woman, I found it very fair. In fact, he's pretty hard on men and often exalts the feminine values, especially in relationships. The author also makes a point of saying how these classical gender roles based on our natural history do not apply to everyone--that there are big differences among each gender. I highly recommend this book. You may not agree with it as much as I did but you're definitely in for an entertaining read.

Gender stereotypes recast in scientific jargon .......2007-01-24

The message of this book is simple: Women should step aside because the fact that they are doing "everything" nowadays (working and supporting families on their own) is leaving men without any direction or goals in life. This situation is also "unnatural," as men are meant to be the dominant sex and women are meant to devote their life to child rearing. How is this argument any different from that of conservative Christians? It isn't. It simply rephrases morality in pseudo-scientific terms: that which is "immoral" or "goes against God's wishes" is now "unnatural" or "disease-producing" (except for porn).

This book belongs to the bourgeoning genre of "masculinist" literature, a genre that argues that men, and consequently society as a whole, have become the victims of the agenda of radical feminists (I guess that would be me). The author tries to "seduce" women into accepting a passive and submissive role by telling us we have the moral high ground, that we women, with our lofty goals of marriage and motherhood, tame the savage (and very horny) beast called man when we insist on marriage in return for sex. While there may be some truth to this stereotype, it is not universal, nor is it a recipe for strong, lasting and sexually healthy, heterosexual relationships.

I would argue that if men are aimless, goofballs these days (and I don't think this is so), it's their responsibility to turn themselves around. Going back to the fifties: "no sex for you until you get a good job, marry me, and give me babies," is not going to give men a "real purpose" in life. Men, like women, need to find their own purpose in their lives. This is a human (existential) struggle, and for most of us it goes beyond (although for many it does include) the realm of our reproductive drives.

I've decided to give the book three stars this time (first review was not a hit), as as I found it thoroughly entertaining. No book has gotten me this worked up in a long time. I'm going to recommend it to all my "radical feminist" friends.

The Symbiotic Man: A New Understanding of the Organization of Life and a Vision of the Future

Average customer rating:

Insightful!
Cybion and the future of the Society

The Symbiotic Man: A New Understanding of the Organization of Life and a Vision of the Future
Joel De Rosnay , and Joel De Rosnay
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0071357440

Book Description

The brilliant European best-seller that presents a multi-disciplinary look at the way life is organized and where our evolution is taking us

In The Symbiotic Man, de Rosnay expresses his persuasively optimistic view of how humans will learn how to evolve in harmony with our ecosystem, much as the cells of our body must work together for our continued health. "The great challenge of the future will not be technical," he writes; "it will be human." The challenge is for us to learn how we fit into a planetary macro-organism that includes all humans, machines, organisms, networks and nations.

In this exhilarating search for the outlines of the future, as de Rosnay shows, we will be using such emerging and evolving new disciplines as biotics, molecular electronics, neobiology, and cognitive sciences.

Customer Reviews:

Insightful!.......2001-06-02

Joël De Rosnay's book is a gold mine of provocative ideas about the evolution of mankind, economics, politics and more. It pulls together information from organic chemistry, computer technology, chaos theory and a slew of unrelated fields to argue for a less egocentric approach to business and government. In the process, it redefines competitiveness and industry. This eloquent presentation is definitely not a light read. It is mind-boggling in scope but fractal in delivery - which means you can delve into virtually any section and get a feel for its message. Business wisdom is spotty here, but this is not a business book. Instead, it's more of a cross between Wired magazine and an intricately researched science fiction novel. It is not for the faint of heart (or brain), but we [...] recommend it, if you'd like to stimulate your mind, shake up your old beliefs, check the inventiveness of bold technological projections, or glimpse an exciting future.

Cybion and the future of the Society.......2000-12-21

With the metaphor of the Cybion, central concept of the Symbiotic Man, Joel de Rosnay has jumped a new step since the Macroscope. The first part of the book will delight a reader who likes imagination and vision. This part describes a lot of conceptual ideas and requires a serious attention when reading it. On the other hand, the second and third parts are more practical with many political, economic and social examples and graphics illustrating the ideas of the first part. One of the characteristic of the book is the possibility to open the book at any page and extract relevant information. This book would be particularly suited to be published on the Internet in order to navigate between main ideas and examples ! Before reading this book, I had a very imprecise idea of chaos, rigidity, fractal evolution, order, complexity. No I understand these notions when applied to organisations and society.

Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution

Average customer rating:

Bad Science
Best dog book for biologically-minded
Logical, easy to understand insights into behavior and evolution
Dissatisfied
Fido--the wolf at my feet?

Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution
Raymond Coppinger , and Lorna Coppinger
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0226115631

Book Description

Biologists, breeders and trainers, and champion sled dog racers, Raymond and Lorna Coppinger have more than four decades of experience with literally thousands of dogs. Offering a scientifically informed perspective on canines and their relations with humans, the Coppingers take a close look at eight different types of dogs—household, village, livestock guarding, herding, sled-pulling, pointing, retrieving, and hound. They argue that dogs did not evolve directly from wolves, nor were they trained by early humans; instead they domesticated themselves to exploit a new ecological niche: Mesolithic village dumps. Tracing the evolution of today's breeds from these village dogs, the Coppingers show how characteristic shapes and behaviors—from pointing and baying to the sleek shapes of running dogs—arise from both genetic heritage and the environments in which pups are raised.

For both dogs and humans to get the most out of each other, we need to understand and adapt to the biological needs and dispositions of our canine companions, just as they have to ours.

Customer Reviews:

Bad Science.......2007-09-15

I found this book loaded with inaccuracies, leaps to conclusions not scientifically supported, poor understanding of the science of evolution, unfair comparisons of natural selection with artificial selection, misinterpretaion, incorrect definition of the science of psychology, lack of positive peer review as evidenced by the source of recommendations on the back cover and generally frustrated reading for even a Master degree dog behaviorist. I'm sorry, but I found it difficult to believe these folks are biologists. It is clear they are not behaviorists although they freely infer that their opinions and statements are related to science based facts.

I am upset that I spent my hard earned money on this book.

I liked the "stories" and personal experience. The authors go against not only the current trends in well-researched theory but against the better judgment of thoughtful dog lovers. It's a wonder to me that people can make a small fortune printing this stuff.

Best dog book for biologically-minded.......2007-06-13

After getting my first dog, I went through at least a dozen dog books in a short time, and this was the best of all of them. The author presents well-thought through arguments to present theories in dog evolution, and doesn't rely on common assumptions of dog behavior. If you are tired of dog books that lack a strong biological foundation, this is the book for you.

Logical, easy to understand insights into behavior and evolution.......2007-02-03

Heard Dr. Coppinger speak at the APDT conference and was fascinated by his theories, and the fact that he's able to change his opinions as insights, training and knowledge evolves. Not someone that's afraid to say he was wrong or has changed his opinion. Some VERY interesting arguments and absolute bolts of insight that should be obvious, but sometimes isn't, things like why infant, puppy, adolescent and adult dogs have different behaviors and why those behaviors aren't carried from one stage of life to the next, heat exchange principles in working dogs (primarily sled dogs, but applies to all dogs), cognitive vs. inherent behaviors, and the argument as to why we wouldn't be thinking of dogs with regard to their "wolf" ancestry, but that they've evolved so far past that the analogy is no longer applicable. A little "wonky" and research"y" in tone, but totally worth the effort for the insights! Scholar meets technician, clearly someone with real world dog experience.

Dissatisfied.......2007-01-11

Although this is a superb book written by a knowledgeable author I would not know how to rate it as I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT!

Fido--the wolf at my feet?.......2006-07-29

An excellent review of current literature on the canine. This book can stimulate reflection on the behavior of domestic dogs, and provide clarity on some of the more puzzling aspects of pet dog activities.

Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution

Average customer rating:

Applied Coppingerology K9 style
"Dogs" is a fascinating journey into the soul of "dogginess"
Fascinating look at dogs
GREAT BOOK!
although the dog genome has been sequenced

Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution
Raymond Coppinger , and Lorna Coppinger
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0684855305

Amazon.com

There are dog lovers, and then there are dog lovers. Behavioral scientists Raymond Coppinger and Lorna Coppinger have raised hundreds of dogs of various breeds, raced sled teams, and published professional and popular works on canine behavior. Dogs is their manifesto of canine evolution and treatment by humans, and it offers deep insight, provocative theories, and controversial ideas regarding our relationship with them. Though some of the material is most appropriate for readers with some zoological background, much of it is written for a general audience--one that cares about dogs not just for what they offer humans, but for their own sake.

Arguing that much of current thinking about dogs' evolutionary history is misguided, the authors share their own complex story of wolflike animals coevolving with permanent human settlements and only recently being subject to directed breeding and artificial selection. This is interesting enough, but they go on to take issue with the use and treatment of dogs, some of which they claim is bad for dog and human alike. Pure breeding, making companion animals of inappropriate breeds, and even some uses of disability assistance are assailed for neglecting genetic and other hardwired aspects of canine life. Surprisingly little is known for sure about dogs' lives and behavior, so the Coppingers' contribution is a welcome, if occasionally unsettling, eye-opener. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

Marking the first time that dogs have been explained in such detail by eminent researchers, Dogs is a work of wide appeal, as absorbing as it is enlightening.

Drawing on insight gleaned from forty-five years of raising, training, and studying the behaviors of dogs worldwide, Lorna and Raymond Coppinger explore the fascinating processes by which dog breeds have evolved into their unique shapes and behaviors. Concentrating on five types of dogs -- modern household dogs, village dogs, livestock-guarding dogs, sled dogs, and herding dogs -- the Coppingers, internationally recognized canine ethologists and consummate dog lovers, examine our canine companions from a unique biological viewpoint. Dogs clearly points the way for dog lovers, dog therapists, veterinarians, and all others who deal with dogs to understand their animals from a fresh perspective.

How did the domestic dog become a distinct species from the wolf? Why do different breeds behave differently? Most important, how can we improve the relationship between humans and dogs?

The authors show how dogs' different abilities depend upon the confluence of their nature and nurture -- that both genetics and the environment play equally key roles. They also reveal that many people inadvertently harm their canine companions because they fail to understand dogs' biological needs and dispositions.

Dogs is a highly readable biological approach by noted researchers that provides a wealth of new information about the interaction of nature and nurture, and demonstrates how unique dog behavior is in the animal world.

Customer Reviews:

Applied Coppingerology K9 style.......2007-07-20

My husband, a biology faculty member, brought home a review in the journal, _Science_, of the Coppingers' new revolutionary work, and after I read the review, I was intrigued, so Darling Doc brought the book home from University library. I ate it with laughter, outloud head nodding, and pondering brain wrinkles. I am a K9 trainer of 15 years, have competed nationally, currently have two K9 partners working with me and train others to train their K9s. We also do a sport called Schutzhund, designed as a breed qualifcation test for German Shepherd Dogs. GSDs are very wolflike in appearance, so dispelling the notion that they ARE domesticated wolves was not a topic I wanted to take on with my trainees....until Drs Coppinger. Now I understand my own gut reaction to the earlier theories of evolution wolf to dog. My husband teaches the Coppinger theory, as well, in his intro evolutionary biology course (freshpersons always love dogs and this is a great start, discussion wise and learning wise).

I have been using Drs Coppingers' ideas, information, and wisdom for about 2-3 years now with huge success given the way I train...use of presented genetic/biological characteristics, shape behavior to desired form, and voila! trained dog with little stress.

I cannot recommend this series of books highly enough. I have personally seen the results of application on 3 of my own competition dogs and many others. This book is for the layperson whose dog has the most important job of all, companionship and partnership, to the serious dog trainer and trainer of dog handlers.

Janica Tansey

"Dogs" is a fascinating journey into the soul of "dogginess".......2007-02-17

I had never heard a word about this book before I bought it, but I decided to buy precisely for the inflamed criticism I read from someone who was "horrified" at some of the things he had read in the book,things like "oh,this book is evil, they say horrible things about service dogs(dogs for the blind or deaf)or even pet dogs!!"I think I also read some criticism of someone from the AKC or similar...
I thought Ray & Lorna Coppinger MUST have treaded on some sensitive "paws"+ touched some controversial issues to recieve this kind of criticism...SO I decided to write this review because this book is a JEWEL of dog books.The minute I started reading it,I was fascinated + swept!!Its an amazing and UNIQUE book,full of information it would've been hard to find had not the book been written by biologists.That's probably what sets it aside from other dog books.TRUE:you have to keep in mind its is NOT the book that will tell you how to get your dog to stop chewing on the furniture or how to stop pulling on the leash.But I have already read it twice, and I find it one of the most fascinating books I have ever read in my whole life.I think their hypothesis on dog origin-dogs domesticating themselves by becoming scavengers is highly plausible,just watch dogs in different cities + terraces where people are eating!-and I agree 100% in most(almost all!)of issues the authors claim when they talk about service dogs,show dogs and pet dogs.They are professionals that have decades of experience teamed with scientific data,and real love for dogs.Ray Coppinger has trained + ran with sled dogs for 30 years,and he explains the biological conformation of sled dogs, and why wolves DO NOT make good sled runners(for example)and then he followed shepherd dogs in Europe while they where migrating with flocks of sheep.He explains the difference on how you train one puppy to watch the sheep + another one to herd the sheep, and how the different puppies get used to the different jobs,and how unique that is,considering the dog is a predator and the sheep are its prey,so what a paradox it is to have a predator protecting its prey!!Just read carefully and enjoy every word!I certainly did, and still do.

Fascinating look at dogs.......2006-12-06

Dogs seem so familiar and common that even without owning one, you think you know them. However, this book, written by a biologist specializing in animal behavior, shows us how little we understand dogs. Coppinger points out why the "descended from wolves" story doesn't explain dog behavior and why asserting alpha dominance doesn't mean the same things to dogs as it does to wolves. If you are interested in a scientific understanding of why dogs do what they do, this book will be truly eye-opening. The "critical period" of puppies and the predator behavioral sequences that explain herding vs. guarding dogs were most fascinating. Coppinger should have his own special on PBS.

GREAT BOOK!.......2006-05-31

This book completely convinced me about the way dogs evolved. I really like it! I learned a lot from it. I liked the writers' style as well. Especially I liked the theory for village dog. If you come to Bulgaria, from where I am you'll see the same things authors describe for Mexico and Africa! Thank you, it was such an experience to read this book!

although the dog genome has been sequenced.......2006-03-19

Although the dog genome has been sequenced, this book informs us much abou the developmental genetics as well as the phenotype of the dog species.

Darwinian Happiness: Evolution as a Guide for Living and Understanding Human Behavior

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Know Thyself: The Key to Happiness
A Guide for Happiness!

Darwinian Happiness: Evolution as a Guide for Living and Understanding Human Behavior
Bjorn Grinde
Manufacturer: Darwin Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Developmental Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0878501592

Book Description

To be a Stone Age creature in a Jet Age zoo tends to cause problems. The list of consequences are numerous—from depression and suicide to obesity, drug use, insomnia, loneliness, violence, and wars—to mention only a few of the "diseases of civilization." Are we prisoners of an environment that is at odds with the way evolution has shaped us, and if so, can we do anything about it? Can we use our knowledge of human nature to offer people more appropriate conditions of living, and at the same time create a more peaceful world? The author is convinced that present insight into the nature of being human can help us make better choices.

There is actually a growing interest in applying the biological/evolutionary perspective to medical and social sciences, as exemplified by concepts such as Darwinian Medicine and Evolutionary Psychology. While the former focuses on the prevention of diseases, Darwinian Happinmess is about utilizing this perspective to improve well-being in general.

Our great feats of engineering, from building the pyramids to sending a man to the moon, have been the easy tasks; the real challenge in shaping the future of Planet Earth lies in dealing with human nature. We have the power to turn our planet into a living nightmare and a biological refuse dump, but it is also within our capacity to create conditions of living better than those we ever had. The principle of Darwinian Happiness is meant to offer a guide for living that not only benefits the individual—and should thus be coveted—but also works for the benefit of the society and our planet.

Darwinian Happiness is written for a general audience as well as for professionals interested particularly in evolutionary psychology, behavioral biology, sociobiology, and happiness studies. It should also be read by politicians.

Customer Reviews:

Know Thyself: The Key to Happiness.......2003-12-18

Darwinian Happiness is a novel concept in the literature on well being. Contrary to most books that offer advice on how to live your life, it starts out with a scientific perspective. It explains why, in evolutionary terms, we have a capacity to feel good or feel bad. Based on this understanding of the human brain, we are advised on how to best nurture positive feelings.

All in all the book does a very good job at explaining what it means to be human, why we have evolved a capacity to enjoy life in general, and things like art and music in particular. One recurring recommendation is that we should try to adapt the way we live to the way we are designed to live. By heeding this advice, we are likely to obtain better health both mentally and physically.

Above the entrance to the ancient Oracle of Delphi was written "know thyself". This book on Darwinian Happiness allows you to follow that advice. It is the best book on the biology of human behavior that I have read. I urge you to try it.

A Guide for Happiness!.......2003-11-07

Bjorn Grinde not only explains the nature of being human, he goes beyond that and uses this knowledge to offer advice as to how to improve your quality of life. The resulting concept of Darwinian happiness makes a lot of sense. It offers a way of pursuing happiness that may benefit not only the individual, but also society.

Happiness can be found by tuning in to the potential we all have for positive feelings. It does not require spending a lot of money and it is better served by being kind to people rather than being mean. As to the latter, the author points out that gregariousness and compassion give more joy than aggression.

Sociability evolved relatively late in our lineage at a time when features in the brain were added by coupling them with brain rewards in the form of positive feelings. Our aggressive tendencies, on the other hand, are evolutionarily-speaking very old and are, therefore, more instinctive and, to a less extent, coupled with positive sensations.

The book is entertaining and easy to read. It can be highly recommended. I truly wish this book had been required reading in my college psychology and sociology classes.

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Human Understanding: The Collective Use and Evolution of Concepts
Stephen Toulmin
Manufacturer: Princeton Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Uses of Argument

Cosmopolis: The Hidden Agenda of Modernity

ASIN: 0691019967

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An ideal text for classroom curriculums

This book was a great introductory book with great pictures

Human Antiquity: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Archaeology
Kenneth L. Feder , and Michael Alan Park
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Anthropology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Anthropology: What Does It Mean to Be Human?

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The Bone Woman: A Forensic Anthropologist's Search for Truth in the Mass Graves of Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology

Biological Anthropology: An Introductory Reader

ASIN: 0767416953

Book Description

An accessible, thoroughly integrated introduction to physical anthropology and archaeology.

Customer Reviews:

An ideal text for classroom curriculums.......2001-03-19

Now in a revised and updated fourth edition, Human Antiquity: An Introduction To Physical Anthropology And Archaeology continues to be an ideal text for classroom curriculums. Absorbing, straightforward explanations of human origins and evolution are presented beginning with an innovative opening chapter surveying creation myths and comparing the methods and purposes of science with those of belief systems. Also included in this outstanding text are an overview of evolution, and offers up-to-date information on such controversial issues as the Human Genome project, scientific creationism, the "collapse" of civilization, and more. With this new edition is a section on the contribution of genetics to questions of the geographic source of Native Americans, a major revision and update on the archaeology of Catalhoyuk, the Indus Valley, and the Olmec, early hominid diets, new finds from Dmanisis, Georgia, and Bose in southern China, stone tools from West Turkana, and much, much more. Human Antiquity is reader friendly and an ideal text for the non-specialist general reader seeking to become introductorily acquainted with the latest developments in both physical anthropology and archaeology.

This book was a great introductory book with great pictures.......1999-01-06

I used this for an introductory Anthropology/Archaeology course and found it easy to understand and very informative. The vocabulary was easy to find and learn and the by using the index it was possible to find subjects easily. I really liked using this book. It also had great picutres.

Biology Of Civilisation: Understanding Human Culture As A Force In Nature

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Biology Of Civilisation: Understanding Human Culture As A Force In Nature
Stephen Boyden
Manufacturer: University of New South Wales Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Early Civilization | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

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Human Geography | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

The Biology of Civilisation looks at the complex interrelationships between human culture and the natural environment, covering the entire period from the beginning of agriculture to the present. Through this biohistorical survey, Boyden concludes that a major transformation of the world's current dominant culture to an ecologically sustainable and equitable society is necessary for the long-term survival of civilization, and suggests measures that can be taken right now to facilitate this transformation.

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