Tamed

Starred review from November 1, 2018
The Neolithic period is the foundation of the modern world. It was then that nine hitherto wild species became irrevocably intertwined with our own species. Anthropologist Roberts, who has written of humans (Evolution: The Human Story, 2017), now turns her attention to our most important domesticated plants and animals. Beginning with our first ally, the dog, the author entwines prehistoric archaeology, history, and genetics to tell of how these nine species became so important to us. Wolves became dogs by being friendly toward, or at least less wary of, humans. Wheat became a portable food for an increasing population, and cattle produced not only meat but a novel food: milk. Columbus brought maize from the New World to the Old, and chickens spread across the planet due to their wondrous portability and adaptability. Roberts also tells the stories of potatoes, rice, apples, and the horse, in each case, looking at the original area of domestication, the history of the species' spread, and how modern genetics are used to trace the species' origin and further modify it for modern use. The final chapter focuses on the tenth species, Homo sapiens, and how we've domesticated ourselves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)