Best Physical Anthropology Books of 2025

"Period: The Real Story of Menstruation" by Kate Clancy is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the science and cultural history of menstruation. Clancy challenges the myths and false assumptions surrounding periods and exposes the eugenic history of gynecology. She also provides an intersectional feminist perspective on menstruation science, touching on timely issues such as bodily autonomy, menstrual hygiene, and medical betrayal. In a witty and engaging prose, Clancy encourages readers to appreciate the remarkable muscle that is the uterus. "Period" is a must-read for anyone looking to broaden their understanding of this captivating biological process."

Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature is a captivating book by Nancy Lawson that takes readers on a journey of exploration into the sensory world of backyard creatures. The author reveals how animals and plants communicate and perceive the world around them using their remarkable abilities. With a blend of scientific research, poetic observations, and interviews with researchers, Lawson shows us how to appreciate and respect the natural world and nurture the habitats they need to survive. Overall, it's an insightful and personal guide that will make readers appreciate the intricate relationships between animals and plants.

The Gift of Self Love is an inspiring and interactive self-love workbook that guides readers on their journey to self-love, self-care, and body positivity. Written by bestselling author and speaker Mary Jelkovsky, the book shares practical advice, research, and exercises that help build self-confidence and self-worth. The book includes personal stories, a self-esteem and self-confidence quiz, writing exercises, positive self-talk guide, and more. Mary's commitment to empowering women of all shapes and sizes through her social media, online programs, and worldwide self-love retreats makes this book unique. Overall, it is a heartfelt and relatable book that reminds people of the importance of learning to be kind and supportive to themselves and appreciate themselves for who they are.

The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge by Jeremy Narby is a fascinating book that takes readers on an adventure through unexplored jungles and uncharted aspects of the mind to the heart of knowledge. This book offers a new perspective on biology, anthropology, and the limits of rationalism. Narby's first-person narrative of scientific discovery opens up a world that appears startlingly different when we open our minds to it. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in genetics, and its unique approach to the subject makes it stand out from other books in the field.

"Still Life with Bones" by Alexa Hagerty is a haunting account of the power of forensic science in investigating crimes against humanity in Latin America. The author, an anthropologist, examines bones for signs of torture and fatal wounds, and also for signs of identity, revealing how forensics offers proof of mass atrocity and tells the story of each life lost. Through her work with forensic teams, Hagerty discovers how exhumation can bring families meaning after unimaginable loss. This book is a poignant exploration of grief, the value of ritual, and a quest for justice.

Understanding Human Evolution is a concise and informative book that sheds light on the complex and fascinating story of human evolution. The author, Ian Tattersall, presents a modern view of human evolution, separating the history of paleoanthropology from current interpretation of the human fossil record. He explains the evolutionary process and the technologies used to unravel the evolutionary past and emergence of Homo sapiens. The book also presents a coherent scenario for how Homo sapiens became an extraordinary and unprecedented thinking creature. Overall, Understanding Human Evolution is an engaging read that provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of human evolution and the current state of research in the field of physical anthropology.

This Is Your Brain On Parasites by Kathleen McAuliffe is a fascinating exploration of how parasites manipulate the behavior of their hosts, including humans. The book delves into the evolutionary motives of these tiny organisms, highlighting how they can alter our personality traits and contribute to recklessness and impulsivity. The author argues that our fear of contamination is an evolved defense against parasites, which has helped shape society. The book is a compelling journey into cutting-edge science and a revelatory examination of what it means to be human. Overall, it is a thought-provoking read that sheds light on the power of microbes and their impact on our lives.

Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts is a groundbreaking book that challenges the biological concept of race as a myth that promotes inequality. Roberts explores how the emerging fields of personalized medicine, genetic genealogy, and DNA databanks are attempting to revive race as a biological category written in our genes. This timely and provocative analysis of race, science, and politics is consistently lucid and alarming but not alarmist. Fatal Invention is a must-read for those concerned about social justice and the persistence of racial inequality. It is a triumph that peels back the layers of assumption and deception surrounding the concept of race.

The Five-Million-Year Odyssey is a captivating book that takes readers on a journey through human evolution, from our primate ancestors to the agricultural era. The author, Peter Bellwood, uses research from various fields such as archaeology, biology, anthropology, and linguistics to present an in-depth understanding of how humans evolved into the dominant species we are today. Bellwood's approach is refreshing as he avoids Eurocentric perspectives and highlights the importance of recognizing our shared genetic heritage to appreciate our diversity. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of human evolution and the factors that shaped our modern-day world.

The Iceman Inheritance: Prehistoric Sources of Western Man's Racism, Sexism and Aggression is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on the European's attempt to dominate the world through racism. The author argues that while Europeans have contributed to the world's technology, arts, and letters, their attempt at world domination has created a disastrous climate for the world's people. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots of racism and aggression in Western societies. Overall, Kayode Publications has done an excellent job of presenting a compelling and well-researched argument that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about the history of Western civilization.