Lucy

The Beginnings of Humankind

By: Donald C. Johanson, Maitland Edey

Narrated by: Donald C. Johanson

The story of the discovery of “Lucy” - the oldest, best-preserved skeleton of any erect-walking human ancestor ever found.

When Donald Johanson found a partial skeleton, approximately 3.5 million years old, in a remote region of Ethiopia in 1974, a headline-making controversy was launched that continues today. Bursting with all the suspense and intrigue of a fast-paced adventure novel, here is Johanson’s lively account of the extraordinary discovery of “Lucy.”

By expounding the controversial change Lucy makes in our view of human origins, Johanson provides a vivid, behind-the-scenes account of the history of paleoanthropology and the colorful, eccentric characters who were and are a part of it. Never before have the mystery and intricacy of our origins been so clearly and compellingly explained as in this astonishing and dramatic book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1981 Donald C. Johanson and Maitland A. Edey (P)2019 Early Man Publishing

Just wow!

Excellent book, a classic that any prehistory enthusiast should read! The story is well structured, it reads almost like a novel, the descriptions are superb and the science backing it up solid!

Very well written. A classic.

This is truly awsome. Not only for being as informative as a great science book shouble be but because of its literary merit. It is very very well written. A classic.

Great story

Beautifully narrated by the author, the story of how Lucy was found was fascinating. I highly recommend this book. Fossil Men continues some of this with stories of Tim White in Ethiopia, though the political situation was much worse in the 1980's. Overall, an excellent book that still holds up well 40 years later.

A glimpse into our search for ourselves.

A fascinating insight into the period surrounding one of the most important finds into our search for origins.

Having Donald Johanson as narrator enhances the experience immeasurably.

Dated, but in a good way.

Having previously listened to Fossil Men, it was interesting to hear this story from decades ago featuring many of the paleoanthropologists and other players appearing in that book. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Well organized, well told, and starring everyone’s favorite Australopithecine.