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Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: My interests include history, anthropology, and genealogy and I thoroughly enjoyed this entertainingly written and informative book. The way in which Dr. Sykes tells the story of how he and his researchers used mitochondrial DNA to identify seven "clan mothers" from which most native Europeans (regardless of where they live) are descended is compelling. The scientific discussions of DNA are presented in a useful and easy-to-understand manner. Now I'm eager to find out from which of the seven "clan mothers" I am descended.
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Summary: DNA Blockbuster
Review: This is a profound book about the window to our genealogy that modern DNA has opened. It tells of the seven ancient maternal ancestors of European-based people that have been discovered via DNA research. Written in a very personal style even though the technical detail gets heavy at times. But the implications are fantastic for the human race. In fact, the concept of "race" is blown to bits. A great book to read anywhere, anytime.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the Read
Review: This book is worth the read because: 1) It is a clear, accurate depiction of the accuracy and limitations of using mitochondrial DNA in tracing human migrations over tens of thousands of years; 2) It shows how mitochondrial DNA achieved this position, overcoming strong initial resistance from the scientific community; 3) It is a well-written account by one of the key researchers in the field; and 4) It shows DNA from the Y chromosome confirms the evidence of the mitochondria and offers similar possibilities for tracing paternal ancestors.The book finishes with imaginative biographies of each of the seven "daughters". Interesting enough, but if that's what you want, you might be happier with something in the Clan of the Cave Bear series. The only question left unanswered is where do I send some DNA to find out which of the seven daughters is my purely maternal ancestor?
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Summary: Could not put this one down
Review: Origainally bought this for the background on DNA typing but found reading it to be enjoyable. A great writer with a lot to say.
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Summary: Absolutely painful to read is this book!
Review: Either this stuck up English twit Sykes is writing all about himself or he's writing stupid, phony stone age stories. If I want dumb stone age fiction I'll watch The Flintstones.
Rating:
Summary: Educational, Evocative and Entertaining
Review: Of the many science books I have read, very few have been as well-written and sheerly entertaining as they have been educational. In "The Seven Daughters of Eve," Bryan Sykes broadens the view of human evolution, tracing migrations through time and around the globe. His descriptions of the discovery and his defense of the paradigm shift of using mitochondrial DNA in anthropology are clear and easy to understand. The heart of the book is the fictionalized reconstruction of the lives of the seven European "clan mothers" discovered by mitochondrial DNA analysis. Mr. Sykes weaves stories of the day-to-day struggle for survival of women at different points in human history. The stories are evocative, and connected me with the actual women more than simply reading "25,000 B.C." would have done. I enjoyed the stories very much. I only wish that Mr. Sykes had footnoted which of the objects mentioned in the stories had actually been found by archaeologists. I loved Mr. Sykes' use of the word "feminine" to describe the traits that have nurtured and supported human survival. This book is an antidote to superficial definitions of femininity. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in human evolution. I would especially recommend the book to women who want to feel a closer connection with their fore-mothers.
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Summary: Infotainment at its best
Review: Like a cross between the Discovery Channel and "The Clan of the Cave Bear", Bryan Sykes' book seeks to inform us about an important breakthrough in genetic science by personalizing it - making it about our direct ancestors. Yes, each and every one of us has an umpteenth-great-grandmother profiled in this book - well, those of us of European descent, at least. Using mitochondrial DNA (a type of DNA that passes directly from mother to child), Sykes and his colleagues have determined that everyone alive today is descended from one woman, whom they have dubbed "Mitochondrial Eve". Of her descendents, 7 are the ancestral mothers of everyone in Europe. It's fascinating stuff (if you're into that sort of thing). The first part of the book gives us some background on what led Sykes to his conclusions, as well as a smattering of interesting history on genetic research in general. Sykes also gives us some applications of his discovery - determining who the Polynesians are descended from, or when the Native Americans made their trek across the Bering Strait, as well as his elaborate "family tree" which leads to the stories of the "Seven Daughters of Eve". My biggest criticism with this book is Sykes' treatment of the Daughters themselves. I think his first mistake was in naming them. Once he has attached names to them (thoroughly incongruous, modern names like Helena and Katrine), he wants to anthropomorphize them. Each Daughter has a chapter devoted to what her life would have been like - but Sykes oversteps the bounds of generalities and starts getting into specifics he could have no way of knowing. Instead of merely describing the flora and fauna of the period, the region, etc, Sykes attempts to give us the actual life stories of the women themselves. But if he makes up some of this stuff - like Ursula having twin daughters, or Jasmine inventing agriculture - how can we trust the rest of what he tells us? Moreover, despite the fact that he goes out of his way to point out that there is nothing special about these women, his stories paint them all as the most beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished women in their tribes, who discover everything from the domestication of animals to the boat. By the end of the book, Sykes frequently devolves into mushy sentiment, waxing odes to his ancestress Tara, earnestly reminding us that "this just proves how humanity is connected to each other."
It's a tough line to walk between being informative and being entertaining. I guess I can't fault Sykes for erring on the side of entertainment, although a bit less melodrama would not have hurt him. Still, if you have any interest in the modern study and application of genetics, not to mention anthropology and genealogy, this book is a must-read.
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Summary: Differences set aside
Review: Whether you have a keen interest in biology or not, this is an interesting read. The concepts are easily understood and nearly all questions are answered. Beginning with the discovery of a frozen corpse in the Italian Alps, this book quickly jumps into the basics of DNA, the discovery of DNA, thoughts on the origins of human before the discovery of DNA, and eventually going into the findings and research that have come about since the discovery of DNA. With the help of Mitochondrial DNA found in the corpse of the `Ice Man' and the sampling of many living Europeans' DNA, Sykes was able to find similarities in the DNA remains of the `Ice Man' and living Europeans. These findings allowed Sykes to link all living people in the world back to seven women, or `the seven daughters of Eve,' as Sykes refers to them. Who were these women? Sykes names them Ursula, Xenia, Helena, Velda, Tara, Katrina, and Jasmine, and they were just normal women of several different tribes, all sharing a common ancestor of a women that Sykes called Eve. Sykes' thoroughly describes all of these women, their descendants, and traces how each set of descendants migrated to produce all the different races spread across the globe. In a world where our differences seem to cause so much dispute and prejudice, it is refreshing to see that underneath our appearances, our cultures, and our choices, the true essence of life, DNA, that is passed on from generation to generation unites us all closer together than we could ever imagine.
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Summary: The problem with this genetic book in short
Review: It's too trivial in too many parts to be much good. Hamsters!
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Sykes books read like really good novels yet are well boned with solid science. There should be a special place in heaven for scientists who can write!
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