Reich does a convincing job of showing the advantages of ancient DNA analysis over traditional archeology in certain areas. Overall, the style suites the topic really well and is a great way to get people new to the field acquainted with a forest-level view. Lastly, Reich ends the book by looking both at the future (good) and the ethical implications of ancient DNA analysis (the weakest part of the book, more on that later). An interesting question that Reich does not really address is the use of ancient DNA analysis to show how monogamy or polygamy play out in actuality, or if there was more infidelity/cheating going on than would be expected giving stated societal norms across time and regions.
Further, Reich also shows how cases like the "Star Cluster" can help demonstrate cases in which specific males (or groups of males) had an outsized levels of breeding success, potentially due to war and conquest or migration, as mentioned previously.
In addition, as is the case with India, Reich shows cases where endogamy (marrying within certain groups) can be demonstrated by analysis of highly unlikely similarity of DNA coding regions across time in specific populations. Reich then moves across the globe-from Europe through India, the Americas, East Asians, and Africa-and goes over different migratory patterns that have been revealed by ancient DNA analysis. The book is mainly divided into an introductory portion, where the story of the Neanderthals helps provide a basis to go over techniques used in the ancient DNA field.
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