Bryan Sykes' systematic ten-year DNA survey of more than 10,000 people yielded the most comprehensive picture ever made of Great Britain and Ireland's genetic makeup. Using this data, the author develops a history of the British Isles that covers Roman invasions and Norman conquests but extends beyond written records. This fascinating study even includes a chapter about the genetic background of Americans who have descended from British and Irish ancestors. Old history seen in a new light.

Readers picking up this book expecting to learn about the genetic background of the British Isles risk being overwhelmed by long passages full of accounts of wars and invasions, historical figures and place names that are largely unfamiliar to American readers. Sykes's goal, as it was in his The Seven Daughters of Eve and Adam's Curse, is to bring genetics to bear on archaeology and untangle the pedigrees of populations to reveal their origins. Unfortunately, in this case there is too much detailed recounting of each country's history so that by the time we arrive at Sykes's conclusion, it seems anticlimactic. In his favor, Sykes writes in an easy style suitable for popular science material and does make a good case for genetics taking its place alongside archaeology and history as a tool for understanding the past. His discussion of the ups and downs of doing field research provides an interesting look at how a scientist conducts research. Recommended only if there is demand. (Maps, index, and appendix not seen.) [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/06.]-Ann Forister, Roseville, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

"The science is explained with an infectious zest. His book is so revealing that the new... as well as the old should read it."

This work concerns a decade-long study of several thousand volunteers from Britain, Ireland, and the U.S. Sykes wished to compile a genetic history of the British Isles from DNA evidence, and in that he did succeed. Interweaving historical accounts of the Isles with accounts from his own study, he finds that much of accepted history is wrong. The choice of Dick Hill to read this meandering work may not be the best fit. His voice is fine but does not quite mesh with this production. His rhythm and pace are rather disjointed. This characteristic makes the work hard to follow, and the listener can quickly lose interest. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine