Signed and inscribed by "Carl" and and signed by both Sagan and "Anne," in the month of publication, offered here is a First edition/First Printing of Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are, a sweeping investigation into the deep evolutionary roots of human nature. "A Roots for the human species" (publisher). 

Sagan and Druyan trace the history of life on Earth from the birth of the Sun and the first stirrings of life to the emergence of the traits we think of as uniquely human—hierarchy and cooperation, language, technology, aggression, and moral judgment. Drawing on biology, paleontology, primatology, and astronomy, they show how self-awareness, family bonds, obedience to authority, xenophobia, reason, and ethics all have deep antecedents in other animals, especially our primate relatives.

From the formation of the early solar system to the complex social lives of apes and humans, Shadows raises provocative questions about our evolutionary heritage and our obligations to other species. "Another domesticated chimp, Viki Hayes, was given two piles of pictures, one of humans, the other of nonhumans, and then handed a stack of additional pictures and invited to categorize. Her performance was perfect, with one small exception: She placed the picture of herself among the humans" (355). 

A near fine copy with only light blemishes on some paper edges in a fine, unclipped mylar-protected jacket. No writings or markings of any kind, save for the authors' inscription and signatures on the half-title. Very scarce signed. Book #Bv3102. $485. We special in rare Ayn Rand, as well as other legends and landmarks.