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Title: Fascinating story; irritating presentation
Review: The basic thesis is fascinating and very convincing; and not only because, in its broadest outline, actually very simple. With more data the story will surely become more complicated and perhaps less susceptible to documentary treatment. This is why I found 'The Real Eve' something of a disappointment.Perhaps on the assumption that the audience would not be able to follow the science, we are treated to a very extended infomercial complete with gravel voiced commentary, kaleidoscopic special effects and rather corny dramatic reconstructions of fatal confrontations between rival stone-age humans. But this is an idea which doesn't need to be 'sold', just explained; and a lay audience doesn't need to be beguiled, merely informed.Read the book: in 'The Real Eve: Modern Man's Journey Out of Africa' (published in the UK as 'Out of Eden'), Stephen Oppenheimer tells the same basic story with much greater clarity much more convincingly.
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