The Seven Daughters of Eve

Rating:
Summary: Bad, Bad, Bad
Review: If you want to hear a pretty story of how modern humans came into the world, based upon a science that sounds convincing but is actually full of holes, by all means, buy this book. All scientists love to propagate their personal points of view, and this book is no exception. However, Sykes has to use innuendo to get his point across precisely because the science is so flawed. He will lead you in circles, and whether or not you believe him at the end of the book, you will not have been reading a real work of science (I, of course, am a multiregionalist). For a more balanced argument in support of the out-of-Africa camp, I recommend _The_Neandertal_Enigma_ by James Shreeve. If you do decide to purchase this book, I suggest adding _Race_and_Human_Evolution_ by Milford Wolpoff and Rachel Caspari in order to hear a similarly biased view from the other side of the tracks. And for the most thorough, theoretically sound treatment of this case, there is no substitute for _Genetics_and_the_Search_for_Modern_Human_Origins by John H. Relethford.

There is much science still to be done before we really know where the first humans came from; read this book if you like, but if you are looking for truth, the book of Genesis would be just as accurate a place to start.

Rating:
Summary: * Almost 5-Stars For Seven Daughters *
Review: "The Seven Daughters of Eve" by Bryan Sykes is a truly fascinating book. I was not sure what to expect when I began reading, but discovered that this work really turns out to have three distinct and separate elements to it. The first element is a detailed description of the work of a genetic scientist and his associated research team. This part is a challenging read for anyone not brought up with the Scientific Method, as it occasionally bogs down in discussion on the most significant analytical premise: the transfer of mitochondrial DNA from human mother to daughter. The second element consists of Sykes' seemingly well-intentioned, but obviously political motivation in discussing all the bickering that occurs within the scholarly community when researchers are not exactly in agreement. The third, and maybe most interesting element, is a fictional (speculative), cultural anthropologic account of his Seven Daughters of Eve, the end result of his initial discoveries.

The portions of the book related to the scientific research really are interesting and necessary. Without this foundation, the reader would be unable to follow his proof that all human life on Earth is related to a genetic mother (Eve), a climatic point he finally reaches in the last chapter of the book. The only portion of the book I had issue with, were the obviously many grudges researchers have for each other, a problem created by intense competition for research funds created within the scientific community in capitalist societies. It is also obvious that Sykes welcomed the chance to list off former colleagues and competitors as he eventually proved their ideas and research wrong.

The strongest part of the work was the final one-third of the book, where Sykes weaves archaeological, anthropological and historic evidence together in a speculative history piece on each of the seven women, to whom more than 95% of all European human descendants are related. His work pretty much proves this fact, now well accepted by experts in the field. In summary, he also shows that all human beings basically descend from less than forty different women called clan mothers, each of whom would have been in fact direct descendants of a "Mitochondrial Eve", who lived at the dawning of the era of Homo Sapiens. Thus, we are all related to each other, and different races are not truly that different after all.

I loved the book; it really makes a reader think. The reading was a challenge at moments, but not so much that you couldn't get through it. The conclusion makes up for any wasted time Sykes spends settling scores with fellow scientists throughout. I rate the book at a solid 4.45 out of 5.00 stars, rounded down to 4.00 stars. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Detective Story!
Review: Outstanding! Professor Sykes' tale is on the cutting-edge of scientific discovery. Expertly told, this drama of the human condition leaves little room for speculation. Although I am not one for "interpretation" (as in his thoughts concerning the actual lives of the Seven Daughters) I did find this work of tremendous scientific worth. Thoroughness is vital in research. In this work Professor Sykes vividly tells the story of the painstaking efforts in not only discovering the value of mtDNA, but the monumental effort in defending its validity as an important factor in human evolution. As a layman very much interested in human genetics, I found this book extremely understandable, and an easy read. The only question I have concerns the native Aulstrailians (Aboriginies?). They seem to be a mystery. I wonder if professor Sykes will attempt, as he has with other "mysteries" he has encountered, delve into their origins? I for one hope he will.

Thanks

Elwood K. Tutt

Rating:
Summary: The Iceman Cometh and Goeth
Review: For me, this book begins to solve the eternal metaphysical question: What is the meaning and purpose of life? The answer is startling in its simplicity: Self replication. Until further notice, we are merely conduits for succeeding generations. Individually, we have no other function or meaning. Thus, if any or all of those seven ancestral grandmothers had chosen not to bear young, her posterity--and only reason for being--would have gone to the grave with her never to return. That sacred chain of DNA would be lost and the long march to its ultimate destiny halted forever.

What is that destiny? To what end does this perpetual propagation lead? It's possible, probable even, to an ever and ever higher state of evolution, as per Nietzsche's thesis, culminating at some future time in an awesomely evolved Superbeing who will be the master of the Universe and not its humble servant. In that scenario, Marie of Dorset, a direct mitochondrial descendant of the five thousand year-old Iceman, should be a noticeably more evolved (via subtle and clever mutations) specimen than her distant ancestor and her descendants more so than she. But the real kicker is that simultaneously they are all one entity, which passes--almost intact--on to the next generation. You literally are your own ancestral grandma and she you. Death takes an everlasting hike and immortality is assured ... if the chain remains unbroken. If we all fulfill our only real purpose and do our share of enlightend begetting the Superbeing of the future is us.

But who can say for sure? Maybe there is no purpose other than replication for replication's sake leading to nothingness. Maybe the Universe is entirely purposeless and the stars just look down and dust is our only destiny.

While you're waiting to find out, read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A difficult subject clearly presented
Review: The Seven Daughters of Eve is an exception to my usual rule of "facts" only. The book is written in first person with many personal anecdotes, and while I often times write this way myself, I generally find reading this prose style in informational literature distracting and time consuming. In this instance I found it helped me to follow the history of what, for me anyway, is a very difficult subject.
Professor Sykes carries the reader smoothly through mitochondrial DNA research and what it can tell anthropologists, historians, and paleontologists about the spread of the human species and its technology. The book starts with the early conception of the method and how it was initially used to elucidate human mysteries like the relationships between finds like the Iceman (for which see my review: Iceman : Uncovering the Life and Times of a Prehistoric Man Found in an Alpine Glacier by Brenda Fowler ) and modern people. In succeeding chapters he also writes about the identification of the remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, the current mitochondrial evidence regarding the fate of the Neanderthals, the spread of agriculture in Europe, the relationship between modern Europeans and their hunter-gatherer and agrarian ancestors, the origin of the Polynesians, among other topics long in question.
Sykes also makes it clear that long held "facts" can be unseated by new data and that ideally in science it is the theory which best describes and explains the data that carries the day. He also brings out the fact that, even in science, some individuals are more wedded to their own pet theories than to the advancement of science. Through his own experiences Sykes takes the reader through the gauntlet of legitimate scrutiny, petty jealousy, vested interest, and wilful suppression of data that, for better or worse, have become hallmarks of the scientific process. It makes it very clear that for every theory-in whatever field of science-there has been battle royale with personal casualties in abundance.
The last chapters of the book are dedicated to the "Seven Daughters" whom Sykes has delineated by means of his research as the maternal founders of modern European society. This is where he lets himself go with respect to imagination, fictionally recreating the lives, relationships, and environments of the seven women to bring each more vividly to the reader's eye. Although the actual facts of these women's lives are forever irretrievable, some of the physical artifacts of the people of the times are archaeological realities. The house frames of mastodon tusk and bone (as described in daughter Xenia), for instance, have been recovered as have fine bone and stone tools (as in daughter Helena,) small ivory art objects (as in daughter Velda,) and stone agricultural tools (as in daughter Jasmine). That any of the women owned any of the objects we presently have preserved in our museums is very unlikely, but certainly they may have possessed similar types of objects.
Interesting too are Sykes estimates of the portion of the modern European population that can claim descent from each of the daughters, Ursula 11 per cent, Xenia 5 per cent, Helena 47 per cent, Velda 5 percent, Tara 9 per cent, Katrine 6 per cent, and Jasmine17 per cent. Much of this data is presented by means of graphs that help the reader better visualize relationships through time.
In concluding his book, the author notes that the maternal lines of the rest of the world are only now becoming clearer. As they do, the reality of the genetic relatedness of all human kind makes a mockery of the racial stereotypes with which we have divided ourselves and of the bigotry that uses these divisions to distinguish the "haves" and "have nots" of our world. He also presents an alarming case for opposing the patenting of the human genome by the world's pharmaceutical companies.
My only criticism is that the book has no bibliography from which one might locate information on the subjects or on the people mentioned in the book. Of particular interest to me would be any works published by Dr Erika Hagelberg, who comes out rather badly in the book. For all I know she deserves it, but I guess I'd like to know more of her side of the story to decide for myself. One might justifiably say that it is not up to Dr. Sykes to provide such information in his book, which is probably true. Still, to get the whole story, one would like to know the opposition's perspective if there is one. Prehaps Dr. Hagelberg will write her own book on the subject. Should make interesting reading.

Rating:
Summary: Good overview--not much meat
Review: You'd think I'd learn to stop picking up books based on their title. I do that often in airport bookstores and have almost always regretted my choice. This was no exception.

The title promised me an ancient story--one that I imagined would lead me back to the mother-roots in Africa through the chain of mitochondrial DNA. It did--sort of. But it didn't live up to it's promise. The book is perfect for my teenage son, and it'd be perfect for anyone who is looking for an introduction to mt-DNA. It's not a bad book, it just was lacking the 'meat' I was hoping for.

I could have handled Sykes self-inflated writing style (his ego's so big it dominates!) if his book had offered some insight. Rather, after a very long, round-about journey, he finally gets to fictionalizing our roots. Instead of telling me
the story of molecular evolution and letting the wonder of science fill in the blanks, he covers basic information between a million sidetracks--the result: his seven daughters were terminally boring.

I've read the good reviews here--and am left to think that I may have been expecting too much. Perhaps if this were my introduction to the subject, I could have enjoyed it. I think Carl Sagan could have done this brilliantly, and it almost seems sad that he didn't take it on before Sykes and that we'll never hear his voice on it.

My recommedation would be to skip this book if you're already pretty familiar with mitochondrial DNA and the mechanisms of inheritance, but pick it up if you want a good introduction told as a story rather than as dense text.

Rating:
Summary: seven daughters of eve
Review: having seen the author present at an international genetics conference, his enthusiasm overwhelming, it is easy to see why this book is such a good read. yes some of the genetics is noddy, and yes the fictional daughters are just that, but the book gives a fascinating insight into mtDNA inheritance as well as the relationships between modern populations in the world.
If linking genetic data to real people with their permission for the press causes this much interest in genetics it can only be good. Nice that "laypeople" are able to gain this insight into the world of genetic research. about time.
as for comments about Dr Sykes writing as if he was the only researcher on the project, what supervisor/university doesnt do this? results are attributed to those highest up the command chain.
keep up the good work!

Rating:
Summary: save your money
Review: the book is poorly written, contains little new information, and seems more like a long advertisement for the author's company than anything else. His final chapters on each of the 'seven daughters' is misleading and will seem silly to even a layperson with some knowledge of recent discoveries in human genetics

Rating:
Summary: Shameless self promotion
Review: Not only did Bryan Sykes skew the history of using genetic markers to answer historical questions, he danced on the edge of irresponsible science. The problems I have with this book are the following:
1)He makes it sound as if he was the major researcher studying human genetic origins. [He was one of many]
2)His use of donated samples is shameful (looking up names in the database), and gives genetic researchers a bad name.
3)His fictionalized daughters of Eve is confusing for the more gullible reader, and just plain silly for the more astute.
4)His shameless promotion of his company is in very poor taste. I would be careful about sending in my DNA sample. He will probably sell his surname/genotype database to the highest bidder.
The field as a whole is very exciting and important for historians, anthropologists, forensic scientists and family researchers. It is too bad that this book will be the main way that the general public can learn about the field.

Rating:
Summary: The signature of deep time
Review: This vivid account brings home the revolutionary implications of the new findings in genetics applied to mitochondrial DNA and its invariant traces travelling in a cellular time machine to our present. Beginning with the discovery and analysis of the Alpine man, the author takes us through the detective work and analysis of a series of enigmas now resolvable in the laboratory, from the origins of the inhabitants of the Cook islands, to the differences of Cro-Magon and the Neanderthal and the relationship of hunter-gatherers to farmers. The book traces the genes of modern Europeans to seven Eves or clan mothers, telling their tale in a series of charmingly whimsical snapshots. This epic told induces a fine sense of man's genetic unity as man, even as his mutational clock is ticking to record his journey. The author also brings in a strong case against racist conceptions of man, as the mitochondrial signature is found to pop up in the strangest of corners of a global mixture. Fascinating saga I found hard to put down.