(1918–)
Mankind, since Charles Darwin and others, has continually tried to decipher the origins of human being through the process of evolutionary thought. Through archeological research, historical anthropology, etc., scientists and anthropologists alike have traced mankind’s origins to specific beginnings. In studying the origins of mankind, evolutionary events must be analyzed, studied and then cataloged in order to further develop theory and hypothesis for future generations of scientists. Noted science journalist and author Roger Lewin is one of many scientists and anthropologists who, over the years, has unlocked pivotal ideas and posed interesting questions in many categories of anthropology.
The author of several books, Lewin worked on the London staff of New Scientist for nine years and then for Science of Washington, D.C. for another nine years. Following his years of writing for these magazines, Lewin ventured off on his own and became a full-time free-lance writer in 1989 in order to concentrate on his books. Earlier, Lewin wrote several popular science books, including three with world-renowned anthropologist Richard Leakey. Intellectual like a wonderful storyteller, and yet highly accurate as a reporter, Lewin writes with both dedication and intrigue. In his book, Bones of Contention, Lewin analyzes only key events in the past century of paleoanthropology, focusing on important happenings. The book is more of a narration than that of a report, telling the story, invoking understanding. Lewin seems to enjoy enriching the reader with little known facts and interesting insights while he tells the story.
Another book written by Lewin, Patterns in Evolution: The New Molecular View, is an interesting introduction to molecular evidence like DNA fingerprinting, molecular evolution, molecular phylogeny (a way to determine species ancestry through genetic analysis as opposed to traditional morphology), and genetic variation. The book goes in depth and comments on mistaken events such as pseudogenes and analysis errors.
Lewin also covers some scientific controversies such as human evolution in the book. Lewin tries to make his books easy to read for the layman, and yet those with prior knowledge of the subject still learn something new and think at the same time. These are Lewin’s main writing objectives, to both educate the reader and invoke thought. Throughout his career, Roger Lewin has influenced many people in the field of anthropology with his wide aspect of writing, and has excited those who are just starting interest in anthropology. Mankind is looking into the past, and Roger Lewin is there to guide us into better understanding and clarity.
For a photograph adapted from: Origins, by Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin, 1977, please visit (Former Link), http://www.sunlink.net/~skip/leakey.html (October 2006).
References:
Lewin, Roger. Complexity, Life at the Edge of Chaos. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., 1992.
Yee, Danny. Book Rview of Bones of Contention, by Roger Lewin. The University of Chicago Press, 1997. Internet. 16 Nov.1999. Available: http://dannyreviews.com/h/Bones_of_Contention.html.
Unknown Author. Book Review of Patterns of Evolution: The New Molecular View, by Roger Lewin. Internet. 16 Nov. 1999. Available: http://www.2think.org/pie.shtml.
Written by: Luke Haeg
Edited by: David Gardner, 2007