The Secret World of Denisovans is a layman accessible monograph on early hominids, Denisovans specifically, written by Drs. Silvana Condemi & François Savatier. Originally published in French in 2024, this English language translation is due out 19th Aug 2025 from The Experiment. It's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
The authors write authoritatively and well, in fairly simplified (mostly jargon-free) language about the fascinating discovery of a single fingertip and DNA evidence in 2010 of yet another hominid cousin who was neither Sapiens -nor- Neanderthal.
Fascinating for any readers who are interested in paleoanthropology, current science, biology, and natural history. The authors meander quite a lot in explaining migratory patterns and probable evolutional patterns and developments, and don't always make clear/explicit connections between the information they're providing (elephant DNA for example) and how it should relate to the Denisovan migrations and possible interaction between them and other early hominids.
It's sparsely illustrated throughout. Although it's not a rigorously academic text, the authors are academics, and have done a stellar job of meticulously annotating the information throughout. The chapter notes and bibliography are likely worth the price of the book for fans of natural history alone. The translation work is seamless, and it doesn't read like a translated book in general.
Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, or gift giving.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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