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mugunthkumar's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.5
Reads like an auto-biography rather than a paleo-anthropological book
sevenlefts's review against another edition
3.0
Whew -- this was a tough book to get through! I don't have enough of a background in the details of genetics to understand much of what Pääbo was describing in this book. But it's such a cool description of how good science is done. In great detail, Pääbo describes how he became in interested in the genetics of extinct hominins, and how he led a team through the complicated process of teasing the Neanderthal genome out of a handful of bones. The litany of papers, conferences and meetings can be a bit difficult to follow, but it's fascinating to watch a deeply talented scientific mind describe how he and his colleagues approach a project, collaborate, handle roadblocks, and follow through with it.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
This book was wild!
I'm normally not interested when authors try to insert bits about their private lives into nonfiction books that aren't biographies, but this one took me for a loop. I felt like I was watching a documentary, but the feed kept getting hijacked by a reality show.
First was the "would one day be my wife" comment, which got a hard eye-roll because what has that to do with the DNA!? Then was the "dating a girl was different than all my previous boyfriends" bit and being bisexual in Germany, and I was like "wait a minute! boyfriends? I'm here for boyfriends - tell me more!" Then he dropped in the bit about masturbating for science; I mean, he says they produced semen samples - I extrapolated from there.
I'm normally not interested when authors try to insert bits about their private lives into nonfiction books that aren't biographies, but this one took me for a loop. I felt like I was watching a documentary, but the feed kept getting hijacked by a reality show.
First was the "would one day be my wife" comment, which got a hard eye-roll because what has that to do with the DNA!? Then was the "dating a girl was different than all my previous boyfriends" bit and being bisexual in Germany, and I was like "wait a minute! boyfriends? I'm here for boyfriends - tell me more!" Then he dropped in the bit about masturbating for science; I mean, he says they produced semen samples - I extrapolated from there.
sinitron420's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
shimmija's review against another edition
5.0
Oh issake (heh), ma ei teagi, kust alustada...
Lisaks iidsete geenide otsimisel oli vahele pikitud väga palju autobiograafiat ja muud uurimisrühma ning teadusega seonduvaid aspekte, et just see mõjus isegi kainestavamalt. Et mida kujutab endast teaduse tegemine ja millised dünaamikad on uurimisrühmas. Selline teadlaseelust huvituva asjapulga käsiraamat või nii:)
Ja ma poleks eales arvanud, et 1) see on kindlasti juba mu 2024 top3 raamat ja 2) et populaarteaduslik (!) raamat võib reading slump'ist välja tirida. Sest no ma tõesti õgisin seda raamatut. Kindlasti saab sellest raamatust kunagi osa mu isiklikust raamatukogust;) Niivõrd hea ja elumuutev oli see lugemine (suur au läheb ka tõlkijale, sest no oli tõesti mõnus eestikeelne lugemine!).
Lisaks iidsete geenide otsimisel oli vahele pikitud väga palju autobiograafiat ja muud uurimisrühma ning teadusega seonduvaid aspekte, et just see mõjus isegi kainestavamalt. Et mida kujutab endast teaduse tegemine ja millised dünaamikad on uurimisrühmas. Selline teadlaseelust huvituva asjapulga käsiraamat või nii:)
Ja ma poleks eales arvanud, et 1) see on kindlasti juba mu 2024 top3 raamat ja 2) et populaarteaduslik (!) raamat võib reading slump'ist välja tirida. Sest no ma tõesti õgisin seda raamatut. Kindlasti saab sellest raamatust kunagi osa mu isiklikust raamatukogust;) Niivõrd hea ja elumuutev oli see lugemine (suur au läheb ka tõlkijale, sest no oli tõesti mõnus eestikeelne lugemine!).
marcopolo's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book fascinating and intriguing. As much because of the amazing subject but also because it told the story of how the research and discoveries were made. It was a human element that I really enjoyed along with the incredible scientific research and discoveries.
commander's review against another edition
4.0
A much more technical book than I expected. As heavy on actual science as the book was, it was a quick and interesting read.