Peter H. Rhys Evans

Rhys-Evans provides an up-to-date account of all the paleontological, environmental and medical evidence for the aquatic ape hypothesis. The information is interesting, makes use of well-referenced scientific articles, and applies logic where gaps need to be filled in. A variety of human "attributes" are compared with similar attributes in terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic animals. Any speculation on the author's part is noted as such. This is not a popular science book as such, since there are no interviews, anecdotal or fashion commentaries (thank you!). The information is presented in a straight-forward manner, with the use of the correct technical terms for anatomical organs/structures, which may require some effort on the part of non-medical readers. Illustrations are provided where relevant. My only issues are with the some-what erratic organization of the sections; a failure on the author's part to fully explain why something mentioned is relevant (sometimes it is obvious, sometimes not); and the lack of flow and cohesion between sections. This book really could have used an editor to make the narrative flow more smoothly. Regardless of its faults, the information contained in this book is fascinating and really should be read by anyone even vaguely interested in human evolution.… (plus d'informations)