"This textbook provides a good introduction to the field of human populations genetics for people lacking a genetics background.... I hope that his book will ultimately encourage more students to enter this exciting field." (Trends in Genetics, Vol. 17, No. 9, September 2001)

"...controversies...grounded in a solid college-level introduction to how the genetic code and evolution account for genetic diversity." (SciTech Book News, Vol. 25, No. 3, September 2001)

"I found Relethford s discussion of the recent Neanderthal mitochondrial DNA findings to be the most cogent explanation I have read to date.... I recommend his book to anyone interested in modern human origins." (Linda Wolfe, Anthropology News)

"Relethford writes...in a lucid and engaging manner. He dispassionately examines the major controversies surrounding modern human origins and clearly identifies the ways in which the genetic data impinge on the predictions of the explanatory models....[T]his book will appeal to the general science reader, as well as being suitable for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in Biological Anthropology." (American Journal of Human Biology)

"...lucid and engaging...enjoyable to read...will appeal to the general science reader...suitable for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses..." (American Journal of Human Biology, Vol. 14, No. 4, July/August 2002)

"...an accessible guide through the models and the data...will be a popular recommended text..." (Heredity)