The Invisible History of the Human Race: How DNA and History Shape Our Identities and Our Futures

According to science, language, and culture journalist Kenneally (The First Word), heredity can explain heritage, predict health, and chart human interrelatedness and deep history. In vignettes starring outstanding individuals, Kenneally explains how DNA traces mass migrations; the cultural wound of slavery bleeds across generations; and big genealogical data restores branches to family trees. The author refreshingly elucidates DNA and genetic recombination with metaphor rather than scientific jargon. Sadly, however, Kenneally falters when discussing gene frequency without using mathematics. She blames consanguinity for recessive lethal conditions rather than explaining that extremely large numbers of matings eventually, inevitably produce offspring with two copies of a defective gene. Worse yet, the author overlooks 21st-century eugenics, which shows up in the selection of ideal gamete donors; China's one-child policy; and possibly in efforts at genetic enhancement.