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Cover of Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Carl Sagan

Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan

  • 505 pages · about 8 hours
  • First published 1992
  • 13 editions
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1 About this book

World renowned scientist Carl Sagan and acclaimed author Ann Druyan have written a ROOTS for the human species, a lucid and riveting account of how humans got to be the way we are.

It shows with humor and drama that many of our key traits--self-awareness, technology, family ties, submission to authority, hatred for those a little different from ourselves, reason, and ethics--are rooted in the deep past, and illuminated by our kinship with other animals. Astonishing in its scope, brilliant in its insights, and an absolutely compelling read, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a triumph of popular science.

Good for readers who want: evolution and a long read.

  • Evolution
  • Anthropology
  • Origin
  • Life
  • Mensen

2 About Carl Sagan

1934–1996

Carl Edward Sagan (; SAY-gən; November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996) was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator. Initially an assistant professor at Harvard, Sagan later moved to Cornell, where he was the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and directed the Laboratory for Planetary Studies. He played an active role in the Mariner, Viking and Voyager programs.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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