Ancestral Journeys

The Peopling of Europe from the First Venturers to the Vikings (Revised and Updated Edition)

By: Jean Manco

Narrated by: Corrie James

Who are the Europeans? Where did they come from? New research in the fields of archaeology and linguistics, a revolution in the study of genetics, and cutting-edge analysis of ancient DNA are dramatically changing our picture of prehistory, leading us to question what we thought we knew about these ancient peoples.

This paradigm-shifting book paints a spirited portrait of a restless people that challenges our established ways of looking at Europe's past. The story is more complex than at first believed, with new evidence suggesting that the European gene pool was stirred vigorously multiple times. Genetic clues are also enhancing our understanding of European mobility in epochs with written records, including the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, the spread of the Slavs, and the adventures of the Vikings.

Now brought completely up to date with all the latest findings from the fast-moving fields of genetics, DNA, and dating, Jean Manco's highly accessible account weaves multiple strands of evidence into a startling new history of the continent, of interest to anyone who wants to truly understand Europeans' place in the ancient world.

©2013, 2015 Thames & Hudson Ltd. (P)2020 Tantor

Got really interesting towards end

At the beginning, all the DNA types were a little much. But as the book went on, it got more into history and quite interesting!

this book is very comprehensive

ok.. I struggled with the scientific jargon of DNA .I understand haplogroups but not remember the details from Amy but my own really.
this book talks about that stuff. along with a pretty awesome narrative about a lot of our ancestral history. dating from the being with neanderthals and then homosapiens. I found the information of the movements of people's thru history interesting. they talk about more then DNA.. they talk about language and migration and people/society's absorbing certain people and how they know to put it together as to why we ended up in having DNA from places. and then they tell you the DNA market they tested from those areas..
it's strange.. it was almost a bit too much info from the DNA stuff cause being me to it, I didn't always get it.
it's definitely a smart person who knows their fine science very well.
maybe not a beginner into DNA history. but a very smart book.. that does flow well..
I will read it again when I know more.

Genealogy and genetics provide the key to Europe

Archeology can only guess at reality without having the genetic data as the safeguard to keep them honest. As a life long follower of archeology, I have always taken their findings and theories with a grain of salt. Some things always seemed to make more sense than others - and some just never seemed to pass the smell test. This book takes time, attention to detail and serious focus to keep up. Twelve times listening and I am still learning new things of great value to me. This audio book is absolutely not a "one and done".

Very interesting but complicated

Great detail, very interesting, but messy. The truth about genetic migrations is far more complicated than the ancestry tests make it sound. Many maps would help!

Beyond fabulous superbly narrated

I loved it, but it is a bit academic. I like that because it is pinpoint accurate withith verifiable facts. And it it makes me review my almost forgotten science classes.

Good story but difficult to rate

A lot of ground is covered so the book moves fast. It probably is a great reference book. The listener needs to be familiar with Eurasian geography and an array of ancient peoples in order to follow the narrative.
The tale does shed new light on ancient history and that alone makes it a good read.
It does not answer my questions. I am R1B1A2 which is mentioned several times. What does that mean?
Comparison with ancient DNA puts me at 47% Paleo Hunter-Gatherer; 43% Neolithic Farmer; 9% Bronze Age Nomad How did that happen? How did my ancestors end up in Ireland?
In other words how do I fit into this more informed view of history?
Still I think it provides a valuable perspective on human history.

Needs pictures.

I kept going back and re-listening to parts trying to grasp it. Hard to follow without graphics. I would recommend the print version.

Wonderful for some…

Not the final word as advances are being constantly made, but a very wonderful, detailed account of where we were in 2015. I stress detailed as that may turn off some but will be welcomed and treasured by many.

Read or Listen

A great book with lots of technical detail, enough to inform and educate. But I’m afraid it’s this plethora of details that makes it hard to follow as an audio book.

Grab your maps!

This book is heavy on genetics, so be aware of that's not your thing.

The overall topic was interesting, BUT it was very hard to follow at times because of the genes frequently referenced and the bed for understanding ancient maps.

I'm glad I listened to it, but I feel like it would be much better as a physical book.