Fille d'un officier hongrois ayant pris en 1848 la tête du soulèvement contre l'oppresseur autrichien, la jeune Barbara Szàsz échappe miraculeusement au massacre de sa famille par les troupes valaques qui soutiennent l'empereur François-Joseph. Réfugiée dans un campement de fortune non loin d'une obscure capitale provinciale de l'Empire ottoman, la fillette est conduite dans un harem, où elle est rebaptisée Florenz par la sultane chargée de son éducation. Bien qu'à peine pubère, la blonde et diaphane Florenz est une pièce de choix pour la maîtresse du harem, qui décide de faire d'elle le clou de sa vente d'esclaves. Assistant par hasard aux enchères, un richissime gentleman anglais du nom de Sam Baker s'émeut alors du sort de la jeune beauté et, au péril de sa vie, l'aide à s'évader. Cette rencontre ô combien romanesque sera le point de départ d'une extraordinaire histoire d'amour et de deux aventureux périples à travers le territoire africain.
Pat Shipman Livres
Pat Shipman est une professeure d'anthropologie dont le travail explore l'évolution humaine et notre connexion au monde naturel. Son écriture examine les relations complexes entre les humains et les animaux, soulignant souvent les questions éthiques et philosophiques qui découlent de ces interactions. Shipman adopte une approche interdisciplinaire, s'appuyant sur son expertise en anthropologie et dans d'autres domaines scientifiques pour offrir des perspectives uniques sur notre place dans le monde.






A detailed look at the skeletal system covers bone structure, growth, joints, functions, diseases, and reconstruction
The Invaders
- 288pages
- 11 heures de lecture
A Times Higher Education Book of the Week Approximately 200,000 years ago, as modern humans began to radiate out from their evolutionary birthplace in Africa, Neanderthals were already thriving in Europe—descendants of a much earlier migration of the African genus Homo. But when modern humans eventually made their way to Europe 45,000 years ago, Neanderthals suddenly vanished. Ever since the first Neanderthal bones were identified in 1856, scientists have been vexed by the question, why did modern humans survive while their closest known relatives went extinct? “Shipman admits that scientists have yet to find genetic evidence that would prove her theory. Time will tell if she’s right. For now, read this book for an engagingly comprehensive overview of the rapidly evolving understanding of our own origins.” —Toby Lester, Wall Street Journal “Are humans the ultimate invasive species? So contends anthropologist Pat Shipman—and Neanderthals, she opines, were among our first victims. The relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis is laid out cleanly, along with genetic and other evidence. Shipman posits provocatively that the deciding factor in the triumph of our ancestors was the domestication of wolves.” —Daniel Cressey, Nature
The Wisdom of Bones. In Search of Human Origins
- 352pages
- 13 heures de lecture
A groundbreaking book concerning the excavation of Nariokotome Boy, which asserts, among other things, that Homo Erectus lacked language.
Set against the backdrop of 1861, the discovery of a remarkably preserved fossil skeleton in Bavaria provides crucial evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution. This transitional creature, known as Archaeopteryx, stirs ongoing debates about the origins of birds, their relationship to dinosaurs, and the evolution of flight. Pat Shipman explores humanity's fascination with flight and our quest for knowledge, framing the narrative as an adventurous journey through the unfolding drama of scientific discovery.
Neandertals
- 480pages
- 17 heures de lecture
In 1856 - just as Darwin was completing ORIGIN OF SPECIES - the fossilized remains of a stocky, powerful human-like creature were discovered in a cave in the Neander Valley in Germany.
The book offers an engaging exploration of the methods scientists use to study fossil bones, providing readers with a captivating insight into paleontology. It combines scientific rigor with accessible writing, making complex concepts understandable and intriguing. Through vivid descriptions and expert analysis, it reveals the significance of fossil research in understanding the history of life on Earth. The narrative appeals to both enthusiasts and those new to the subject, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the natural sciences.
To the Heart of the Nile
Lady Florence Baker and the Exploration of Central Africa
- 428pages
- 15 heures de lecture
Set in 1859, a young Florence Szász faces auction as a slave but finds hope when Sam Baker, a compassionate English gentleman, intervenes to rescue her. Their journey together leads them into the heart of Africa, where they confront uncharted territories and unravel its mysteries. Their love story, marked by passion and resilience, unfolds against the backdrop of adventure and exploration, highlighting their determination to defy fate and seek freedom.
Femme Fatale
- 464pages
- 17 heures de lecture
In 1917, the notorious Oriental dancer Mata Hari was arrested on the charge of espionage; less than one year later, she was tried and executed, charged with the deaths of at least 50,000 gallant French soldiers. The mistress of many senior Allied officers and government officials, even the French minister of war, she had a sharp intellect and a golden tongue fluent in several languages; she also traveled widely throughout war-torn Europe, with seeming disregard for the political and strategic alliances and borders. But was she actually a spy? In this persuasive new biography, Pat Shipman explores the life and times of the mythic and deeply misunderstood dark-eyed siren to find the truth.
The unique relationship between dogs and humans has had huge evolutionary consequences, changing the physical, behavioral, genetic, and emotional characteristics of both species. Pat Shipman looks to fossil records and new evidence to trace how the process of domestication worked and discovers how much of ourselves we owe to our canine companions.
