Pat Shipman Boeken

A detailed look at the skeletal system covers bone structure, growth, joints, functions, diseases, and reconstruction

A Times Higher Education Book of the Week Approximately 200,000 years ago, as modern humans began to radiate out from their evolutionary birthplace in Africa, Neanderthals were already thriving in Europe—descendants of a much earlier migration of the African genus Homo. But when modern humans eventually made their way to Europe 45,000 years ago, Neanderthals suddenly vanished. Ever since the first Neanderthal bones were identified in 1856, scientists have been vexed by the question, why did modern humans survive while their closest known relatives went extinct? “Shipman admits that scientists have yet to find genetic evidence that would prove her theory. Time will tell if she’s right. For now, read this book for an engagingly comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving understanding of our own origins.” —Toby Lester, Wall Street Journal “Are humans the ultimate invasive species? So contends anthropologist Pat Shipman—and Neanderthals, she opines, were among our first victims. The relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis is laid out cleanly, along with genetic and other evidence. Shipman posits provocatively that the deciding factor in the triumph of our ancestors was the domestication of wolves.” —Daniel Cressey, Nature

A groundbreaking book concerning the excavation of Nariokotome Boy, which asserts, among other things, that Homo Erectus lacked language.

Set against the backdrop of 1861, the discovery of a remarkably preserved fossil skeleton in Bavaria provides crucial evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution. This transitional creature, known as Archaeopteryx, stirs ongoing debates about the origins of birds, their relationship to dinosaurs, and the evolution of flight. Pat Shipman explores humanity's fascination with flight and our quest for knowledge, framing the narrative as an adventurous journey through the unfolding drama of scientific discovery.

In 1917, the notorious Oriental dancer Mata Hari was arrested on the charge of espionage; less than one year later, she was tried and executed, charged with the deaths of at least 50,000 gallant French soldiers. The mistress of many senior Allied officers and government officials, even the French minister of war, she had a sharp intellect and a golden tongue fluent in several languages; she also traveled widely throughout war-torn Europe, with seeming disregard for the political and strategic alliances and borders. But was she actually a spy? In this persuasive new biography, Pat Shipman explores the life and times of the mythic and deeply misunderstood dark-eyed siren to find the truth.

The unique relationship between dogs and humans has had huge evolutionary consequences, changing the physical, behavioral, genetic, and emotional characteristics of both species. Pat Shipman looks to fossil records and new evidence to trace how the process of domestication worked and discovers how much of ourselves we owe to our canine companions.

Gerade erst vierzehn ist die deutschstämmige Waise Florence Szász, als sie 1859 von dem Entdecker Sam Baker aus einem osmanischen Sklavenmarkt entführt wird. Schon bald darauf brechen die mutige Florence und ihr Mann zu ihrer beschwerlichen und gefahrvollen Reise nach Afrika auf – auf der Suche nach dem Ort, an dem der Nil entspringt. Die Erschließung des dunklen Kontinents wird für Florence zur Passion, ihr selbstloser Einsatz für die Ureinwohner und gegen den Sklavenhandel zur lebenslangen Aufgabe. Aber während Sam in der Heimat mehr und mehr Ruhm und Ansehen genießt und für seine Leistungen im Dienste Englands von der Queen schließlich geadelt wird, kämpft seine schöne junge Frau vergeblich um Anerkennung. Zu geheimnisumwittert ist ihre Herkunft, zu unerschrocken tritt sie den Männern ihrer Zeit entgegen. Doch dann stoßen die Bakers auf bislang unbekannte Quellen oberhalb des Nils.

Fille d'un officier hongrois ayant pris en 1848 la tête du soulèvement contre l'oppresseur autrichien, la jeune Barbara Szàsz échappe miraculeusement au massacre de sa famille par les troupes valaques qui soutiennent l'empereur François-Joseph. Réfugiée dans un campement de fortune non loin d'une obscure capitale provinciale de l'Empire ottoman, la fillette est conduite dans un harem, où elle est rebaptisée Florenz par la sultane chargée de son éducation. Bien qu'à peine pubère, la blonde et diaphane Florenz est une pièce de choix pour la maîtresse du harem, qui décide de faire d'elle le clou de sa vente d'esclaves. Assistant par hasard aux enchères, un richissime gentleman anglais du nom de Sam Baker s'émeut alors du sort de la jeune beauté et, au péril de sa vie, l'aide à s'évader. Cette rencontre ô combien romanesque sera le point de départ d'une extraordinaire histoire d'amour et de deux aventureux périples à travers le territoire africain.