Friday, January 10, 2025

Your weekend read: ENDANGERED SPECIES

 I'm excited to announce a new release from good bud and and awesome prehistoric author Jacqui Murray. She is also sharing a bit of history about Neanderthals with us.

Welcome, Jacqui.



Summary

Savage Land is the third prehistoric man trilogy in the series, Man. Vs. Nature. Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth's history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Each tribe starring in the story considered themselves apex predators. Neither was. That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face.

 

In Endangered Species, Book One of the trilogy, Yu’ung’s Neanderthal tribe must join with Fierce’s Tall Ones—a Homo sapiens tribe--on a cross-continent journey that starts in the Siberian Mountains. The goal: a new homeland far from the devastation caused by the worst volcanic eruption ever experienced by Man. How they collaborate despite their instinctive distrust could end the journey before it starts or forge new relationships that will serve both well in the future.

Join me in this three-book fictional exploration of Neanderthals. Be ready for a world nothing like what you thought it would be, filled with clever minds, brilliant acts, and innovative solutions to potentially life-ending problems, all based on real events. At the end of this trilogy, you’ll be proud to call Neanderthals family.

Book information:

Endangered SpeciesPrint, digital, audio available: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0DJ9Y7PQ8

Genre: Prehistoric fiction

Editor: Anneli Purchase

 


Author bio:

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.

 

Social Media contacts:

 

Amazon Author Page:        https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/

Blog:                                       https://worddreams.wordpress.com

Pinterest:                                http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher

X:                                             http://twitter.com/worddreams

Website:                                 https://jacquimurray.net

  

What Did Neanderthals Look Like

If you don't know a lot about Neanderthals, you may think this picture is accurate:

or this one (the angry, crazed killer)

 

But did you know this one is the current accepted depiction of your ancestors:

Their physique

Neanderthals were barrel-chested to accommodate larger lungs (for longer/harder running), somewhat shorter than us with robust bones. As you imagine, skin color doesn’t preserve over tens of thousands of years so scientists disagree whether Neanderthal’s were white, brown, or black. Being native to Eurasia, they absorbed sunlight as our species does in lower sun areas. The presumption because of this and additional reasons is they were light-skinned.

Their heads

They had a shorter and more sloping forehead than ours, a rather prognathic and large nose (an adaptation to colder weather), a larger brow ridge, and a thinner skull. They had our white eyes with colored irises, likely brown, and larger than ours to serve them in their darker habitats. Their brains were on average, vaguely larger than ours, but shaped differently. They were roomier in the back than the front. I won't delve into the why of that, but probably had to do with the more physical nature of their lives where ours require more cerebral considerations.

 

They had no chins.

Their hair was straightish and darkish with a percentage of redheads.

Their gate and bearing was not as smooth or elegant as ours, but was sturdy and durable.

There was not much difference between the size of the sexes. Some scientists believe females were smaller, others think it negligible. This suggests that violent male dominance was not integral to their social structure. Their lifestyle was more likely akin to the bonobos, whose adult lives are based around long-term female friendships and getting along with each other.

 

34 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

'That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face. ' And it still does - and who could blame her if she does succeed in eradicating us.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - great introduction for Jacqui and the book one of the trilogy 'Endangered Species' ... Neanderthals usually had v short necks. I'm so looking forward to the rest of the tour for the release. Congratulations Jacqui - cheers Hilary

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@ElephantsChild You heard me loud and clear! @hilary--good point about the necks. Theirs were short, not sure why, or why no chin?

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Thank you so much for hosting me, Sandra! The spirit of our writing (moral, hard-working, never quit) is so similar, I think I will love chatting with your community.

D. Wallace Peach said...

How interesting that their skulls were thinner. I wonder why we became so thick-headed (lol), in every way. Another fascinating post, Jacqui. And thanks for hosting, Sandra! Wishing you both a fabulous day. :-)

Truedessa said...

I found this post interesting about the Neanderthals. Now, I am curious about the book.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Diana Speculation is they were hit in the head so often, those with the thickest skulls survived to pass on 'thick-skulled genes'. Who knows!

@truedessa If all you know about Neanderthals comes from decades ago, this story will amaze you.

Sandra Cox said...

EC, Indeed. And Nature is still working on it, isn't she?
Jacqui does an amazing job of telling us about how our evolution.

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Hils, It's a great book. And chock full of information.
Good job on knowing about their necks.

Sandra Cox said...

My reading pleasure. I agree on the writing similarities, Jacqui.
I find the 'no chins' info fascinating.
Loved Endangered Species.

Sandra Cox said...

Innit the truth on being thick-headed today. Heh.
Thanks so much for stopping by to support Jacqui, Diana.
Take special care.

Sandra Cox said...

Hey True, The book is as interesting as the post;)

Citu said...

Gracias por las reseñas. te mando un beso.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

How interesting! I also wonder why they had smaller chins.

Jeanie said...

Very interesting -- I now zilch on Neanderthals. This sounds intriguing.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@elizabeth I dug around far too long to try to find out why no chins, but got nothing helpful. I'll give you an example. The lower back of the Neanderthals head (the occipital bun) is pronounced, the theory being to support the greater musculature in their necks and shoulders necessary for their physical lives. OK, I got that, but nothing could I find out about chins!

@Jeanie If you spend any time with Neanderthals, you will probably fall in love with them. There's a lot about them to envy!

J.Q. Rose said...

Congratulations, Jacqui, on releasing your third book in this series. I appreciated learning about the Neanderthal group. What research you must do to tell their stories!

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@j.q. And so much fun! Thanks for visiting.

Sandra Cox said...

My reading pleasure, J.P. Sending you a hug.

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Elizabeth, Definitely the winning question.

Sandra Cox said...

It is for sure, Jeanie. it's a fiction, but it's chock full of facts.
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Cuz, It's a wonderful read and no one researches like Jacqui:)

Lee said...

Thanks for the head's up, Sandra. :)

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@Lee Thanks for visiting!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Congratulations to Jacqui. I was fascinated by the Neanderthals, who I must admit I knew nothing about. I found this an enjoyable read.

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@bleubeard If you haven't been introduced to these worthy forebears, you have a wonderful treat in store. Thanks for visiting.

Sandra Cox said...

You bet, Lee. It's a grand read.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Elizabeth:) The book is quite good.

Birgit said...

Hello, and I hope you are well in this new year. I will look back at your week. Glad you showcased another writer. Great way to start the year

Donna said...

What interesting information!
And the book sounds really good!
hugs
Donna

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

@birgit Thanks for visiting! Sandra is a fun host.
@Donna It is amazing how advanced our ancestors were, not technologically, but surviving.

Sandra Cox said...

It is for sure, Donna. If you have an opportunity to read it, you're in for a treat.

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Birgit, Hope you are well too and Happy New Year to you.
Jacqui is a prehistoric-writing legend in her own time;)