How To Think Like a Neandertal

This could've been a much more interesting book if the authors hadn't insisted on leaving out claims they couldn't solidly bolster with evidence. If only they'd been willing to throw caution to the wind and toss out their pesky espousal of moderation. Always taking the conservative view and painting the likeliest picture rather than the most astounding possibility, this book offers a sound-minded idea of what the prospects of a transplanted Neandertal would be in the modern world. They touch on such topics as empathy, problem-solving, innovation and even sense of humor and dreaming. As evidence they take the archaeological record and comparative studies of ourselves and our nearest primate relatives, attempting to synthesize this show more information into a best guess with healthy reservation. As it turns out, a Neandertal would make a great modern-day doctor. Find out why. show less

Wicked discussion of what the Neandertal mind could have been like. The two authors are tops in their field and have been engaging in thought experiments for years (with an understandable conservative slant in their conclusions.) Thoroughly enjoyable and totally accessible!

Fascinating look at human evolution, specifically how it applies to neandertals, and the most recent informed speculation on what their lives were like.