Very Interesting, especially if you are interested in history, science, language, genetics, genealogy, any or all of the above. He is an interesting story teller. I came to these a decade late. However, given the proclivity of genetic testing now, it is of more timely explanation of what people are doing when they swab their mouths to find out what haplogroup they belong to.

An excellent book for any level of British history buff. The classic stories of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland are recounted for neophytes, and done well to please the aficionados. The motivation for the book is explained in the early chapters in terms of Victorian popularity of Saxon racial identity in England's ruling classes. Also woven throughout is the story of how Sykes and his team collected their data and excellent explanations of what the DNA data means. I'm not just a British history guy, I used to be a biologist, so I can attest that from both angles, this is a great book.

A well-researched, if protracted, confirmation of the veracity and genetic foundation for the four Irish mythological cycles. Would have loved to see the author take this a step further and investigate the pre-Iberian origins of the Milesian invasions, which constitute the virtual entirety (95+%) of the patrilineal genetic makeup of modern Ireland. That said, the identification of the ‘Genghis Khan effect’ among the founders of the old Gaelic ruling families breaks new ground in the field.

This is an extremely important book that all history lovers should read. The author demonstrates that the genetic profile of the population is highly similar throughout all of the British Isles. This suggests that the various invasions that England underwent (German, Norse, and Norman for example) touched primarily the government and the elites. The actual population of England was barely impacted.

The similarities in the genetic profiles of the people living in the celtic regions of the British Isles also suggest that the spread of languages occurs independently of population movements. This point is of enormous importance as it undercuts a 200 year old practice of assuming that a migration of a language meant also a demographic migration.

I plan to watch this debate carefully in the future although Mr. Sykes view for the moment is clearly in the ascendant.

"Saxons, Vikings and Celts" wants to be a hybrid of history, science and memoir. Instead it is a book with an identity crisis as pronounced as anything suffered by the Scottish malcontents who agitate for secession from the UK. That's a shame, because the book has a fine premise and Bryan Sykes is a respected authority in his field. The problem lies in execution. Whereas the best science writers make their ideas digestible with clear prose and grounded examples, Sykes relies on lengthy tangents and a chatty voice. This makes the early chapters endearing but eventually clouds the science at the book's core. Sykes devotes entire chapters to anecdotes about his colleagues and obscure Celtic mythological heroes, some of which comprise needed background, but most of which do not. Excluding the prologue, he doesn't get around to discussing genetics until the halfway mark. The payoff is underwhelming because the actual material pertaining to the genetic history of the British Isles could fill a magazine article. Borrow this one from the library and read the first chapter and skim the last half. You'll quickly get the gist of this well-intentioned but sloppily assembled book. This topic deserves better and Sykes, with a skilled editor, could easily deliver it in a revised edition.

This is an interesting work of paleogenomics from an important early figure in the field. Unfortunately, many, if not most, of the claims have not aged well. Some of this is a function of the techniques Sykes has relied on; all of the claims are premised on mitochondrial or Y chromosome sampling, which is inherently limited. His claims are also limited by a lack of modern genomic tools and a much more restrict sample set than today's field of paleogenomics.

Unfortunately for the book, his central claim that modern residents of the British Isles are most similar to early European settlers of the Neolithic (12kya-6.5kya) is very likely incorrect. A 2018 paper from the eminent lab of David Reich found that, between 2450 and 2000 BC, over 90% of British DNA was replaced by European Steppe Herders (the Bell Beakers) in a migration that brought significant amounts of Steppe DNA (i.e. the R1b haplogroup of the Y) to western and northern Europe. It is unclear exactly why Sykes was led astray, but I presume it was a function of ascertainment bias or his genotyping approach rather than the limitations of using Y/mtDNA. Reich's lab paper presents its own case using Y haplogroup data.

Before jumping deeper into the claims of the book, let's return to the methodological limitations:

Why is relying wholly on Y and mtDNA an issue? Well, the high-level and simple answer is that you are ignoring a lot of the genome. This picture is necessarily incomplete. More specifically, the Y or mtDNA only reflect the paternal or maternal lineage. Additionally, mtDNA may be subject to genetic drift, selection, or admixture, which can distort the phylogenetic signal and the geographic distribution of haplogroups. Y or mtDNA may have low mutation rates or high homoplasy (convergent evolution), which can reduce the resolution or accuracy of the phylogenetic reconstruction too. Additionally, there is the challenge of reconciling the Y and mt lineages, which may tell inconsistent tales. However, I don't want to denigrate the utility of Y and mtDNA. They still are really interesting sources of ancestral genetic data, and Sykes uses as best as it can be used at the time of the publication of this book.

Returning to Sykes genetic ancestry claims:

Sykes argues that despite popular belief Anglo-Saxons make up only a small portion of English ancestry, under 20% of the total even in Southern England. However, a 2016 study in Nature Communication suggests the real contribution from Anglo-Saxons to modern Brits is around one-third and in East Anglia approaches 40%. Sykes conclusion here differs more modestly than his central claim.

Sykes also asserts the Norman conquest only contributed 2% ancestry to current populations and that only traces of the Roman occupation remain. And the contribution from Vikings (Danes and Norwegians) was substantial contribution but concentrated in central, northern and eastern England. He alleges a significant Viking contribution in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, in the vicinity of 40 percent, where the contribution was surprisingly balanced between maternal and paternal lines. Because otherwise the paternal and maternal lines suggest the outsized success of only a few male lines (not an unusual pattern in populations with histories of being subject to ancient conquests).

I haven't done the due diligence on running down the rest of these claims, but I doubt much has shifted about them. Either way, this made for an interesting read but would have benefitted from modern companion notes (might sift through Razib Khan's writings to see if he's commented on this one recently or the British Isles generally).

Extended review on British Genetic Roots

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I borrowed this from Larry's sil over Father's Day weekend, so I've begun it, so I can return it. Fascinating premise I must say.

I started thinking 4.5 star rating, but this book really is amazing, so I upped it to 5. A complicated subject - the DNA of the British Isles - written is so comprehensible a way that even I understood most of it - a good percentage at least. I am NOT a scientist, but Sykes writes so well, and warns you when he might need to be a bit more scientific in what he's writing, that it's easy to follow along. Now, I really want to find out my mitochrondrial DNA, although since most of my ancestors (female and male) came from Ireland, Scotland, England and maybe Wales, I'd take bets it would turn out to be Helena - she's the predominant Celtic mother of the British Isles.

Now I really want to find his book "The Seven Daughters of Eve" to read.

A little dry in spots but a lot of good information, a solid 3.5 stars. It certainly gives a new perspective on history. It did make me think about ancestry/heritage in a different light since most (If not all, I haven't traced everyone.) my roots are that part of the world.

I am clearly in the minority when I give this book a low rating. It has a fascinating premise and some interesting parts; but so much of the book felt like a sales pitch mixed with academic lectures and senseless banter. Each chapter was more like a teaser for something further along. Finally, everything is brought together in the final chapter...and....very little enlightenment.

The concept of tracing people around the globe to seven matriarchs and twenty-plus patriarchs is an interesting idea embedded in genetics and science. However, there is a common sense problem with the idea: inbreeding. The children would quickly corrupt the gene pool even if each matriarch had a child with each of the twenty-plus patriarchs. The result of the 'Seven Daughters of Eve Theory' is that it sounds a lot like Biblical allegory. Of course, when I first read about tracing my ancestry back to Helena or Ursula, I was very intrigued until I kept seeing references to customers, companies, and similar topics that give a vague veneer of a sales pitch. Once irritated over this subtle thread, I began having overall doubts.

A second major distraction was the crude travel commentary about the British Islands. I do not care if the author works in Oxford and lives on the Isle of Skye. I do not see the point of stories about people who never left their small communities, or if his assistants quit the project because they watch Ally McBeal. Maybe this style is intended to relate to the readers; but the affect is a random narrative that breaks suddenly between genetics, folklore, history, mindless banter, and teasing the reader about future analysis....just read some more....

Another major drawback for me was the lack of references. Not one! I was interested in several of the folklore and historical works he references in multiple passages. But to read them require more research. At one point the author says he will spare us the science. I want the science, even if it is just one chapter. The science gives the project that much more credence. I want to believe.

Finally, I am a bit discouraged by the results. It is interesting to know that the Vikings peacefully settled the Orkneys and Shetlands. It is a bit more interesting not to find any genetic trace from the Romans. They did occupy Britannia for about 400 years, much of that time with Latins from Italy. It is a little surprising to note that the background on nearly everyone is overwhelmingly Celtic / Pict. But even the author acknowledges that mDNA mutates slowly making it more difficult to use in the short history of the Islands. The y-Chromosome DNA allows for more mutations in a shorter period and these reflect the Genghis Khan Effect of kill the men and "keep" the women. The result is a strong presence of German-Viking genes in the East and less along Ireland and the western coasts.

So, in sum, an interesting premise full of potential, but the awkward and too informal writing made it all the more difficult to accept and endorse.

The two-fer as previously promised.

Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland by Bryan Sykes

Over the past two years in our discussions of white privilege at Corps Days we have discussed debunking the myth of white as normative and lacking in diversity. Each time this has been mentioned I've thought about the ways in which my own family has spats over our differing backgrounds despite the fact that they really aren't that different (My grandmother has never forgiven my mother for marrying a Celt and sullying our fine English stock. If only this were a joke.) As a result when I saw this book on using science and technology as a way to uncover genetic commonalities and differences throughout the UK I thought what better way to break the myth of a monochromatic white landscape even within an admittedly pale set of nations. I was hoping by uncovering the diversity of genes within such a confined area I could more greatly appreciate the broad range of genetics across more visibly diverse spectrums.
Syke's book proved to provide some very different and interesting information, however. Sykes has created his own field. Beginning as a geneticist and finding it too dry and lacking in creativity, he decided that scientists were missing the cultural and historical implications of their work. As a result he created a field in which scientists use data from genes to better understand anthropological patterns throughout history- most of this is focused on understanding the spread of DNA and the migrations of peoples. The first fascinating discovery that he shares after some lengthy descriptions of admittedly interesting DNA structures, is that in most of Europe (A region he has selected due to his own location in England and the helpful state of laws crossing over the EU) each female is directly descended from one of 7 women over time. It's pretty astonishing to think that the spread of life in such a large area can be narrowed down to just 7 women. And directly. Meaning most of Europe shares an infinitely "great"-ed grandmother somewhere along the lines. Similar results are found for men with 7 serving as direct ancestors. (The reason for the division of sexes is explained in pain staking detail- however, it is quite hilarious to read the differing ways that male and female DNA function and are passed along).
From this conclusion he is able to take swabs of people from differing areas and match them to one of the 12 original parents- he then takes his findings and compares them to the myths of each region. This results in either the tearing down or upholding of century long assumptions thanks to scientific study.
For instance one such finding is that Vikings actually settled peacefully in Northern Scotland. This is unearthed thanks to the high presence of DNA from both the male and female Scandinavian ancestors. Had it been a hostile take over the rate of Celt female DNA should be much higher in the area. This goes on for some time and is in fact very interesting.
After reading this I have come to a few different thoughts- first being that I'd love for them to study my own DNA. After hearing the ways that people have moved from place to place over time and realizing that these cultural ties aren't quite so clear as are often presumed I can't help but wonder if my dear grandmother would be shocked to find that she is more of traditionally French or Scandinavian descent than this pure English idea that she has somewhere picked up on. I also wonder what we would look like as a society here in Minneapolis if we chose to look at the ways in which the Earth can be rooted back to the genes of a few dozen people. How would we behave differently to one another if we discovered that we are genetically closer to being family with someone across the street than some of those in our extended branches?
Overall a terribly interesting read and thought provoker- I look forward to hearing more from this author as he explores other areas of the world.



ACLU Internet Privacy Blog
As the NSA leaks started to come to light I began to wonder what other technological privacy issues have we been neglecting to discuss as a nation. After much research I happened upon the ACLU blog, which is likely known to all of you, tracks rights infringement issues throughout the nation. It was interesting to read the responses to the NSA discussions which mostly mirrored the responses I had heard from varying media outlets- some combination of outrage and yet understanding that most people don't seem to mind (The judgement of the last fact being that this lack of interest is going to be one of the most detrimental aspects to society over the next few years in regards to privacy and the growth of technology).
The most interesting element of my perhaps too extensive blog reading however was the discussion of some recent cases in federal court regarding the no-fly list. The article discussed the ways in which the government gets around disclosing the information and reasoning for why a person is placed on such a list. Though this article in particular was discussing an ongoing court case involving former military personnel being banned from travel, other discussed that sometimes the only apparent connection is a name that is similar to that of a suspected terrorist.
In doing Step-Up interviews I am often astonished at how many youth across Minneapolis have similar if not the same names. Sometimes a single letter makes all the difference in an entire name and therefore in an entire file. Though I have often bemoaned the hand-file process of Step-Up application acceptance and recording of job dispersal, I had never considered the trouble that could arise from a computer based system. Although technology is incredibly helpful, it functions entirely based off of the information we give it. If we place in information on a youth with the same name or perhaps if we mistype just one letter in a name, a system could easily misplace the information of a youth. The double-check and nature of human interactions and intuition allow us to properly file. This realization after reading the article made me wonder just how much processing of information done by the government occurs in large quantities without much human review thanks to the increase in technology. The ease technology can provide is very helpful and often efficient but I have to wonder if there are some unintended effects that our legal system makes it difficult to reverse. Overall reading the differing responses to technology privacy made me question the ways in which we perhaps can misuse our technology- or perhaps it is simply that we are too eager to put it into place. Too caught up in the rush of newness and the latent Cold War-esque desire to get ahead and be the best. Perhaps if we treated our technology production and implementation in regard to becoming a structural norm more like a drug that we need to test for side effects we could effectively use our scientific advancement in ways that positively effect communities with lessened errors.

If you are serious about delving into your DNA, especially if you're from Ireland, Scotland or have family ties to England, you should definitly read this book.
Bryan Sykes does an excellent job of explaining how through the generations, our DNA has shaped our lives.
This is a bit of a challenging read as it breaks down the Y and mtdna for each region. But, it is still worth the read.

Fascinating study presented in layman's terms explaining the genetic history of the British Isles. Probably the most startling result of his work, and that of other geneticists as well, is that 'lost' peoples such as the Picts of Scotland or Celts generally in England did not vanish genetically even if they did culturally. They live on in all of us of British descent. Other points of interest include the apparent confirmation that legends of Celtic migration from the Middle East through Iberia to the British Isles are based upon fact, that there are close genetic connection between the Picts and the British Celts, and that the Vikings made largely peaceful settlements in places such as the Shetland and Orkney islands as well as, to a lesser extent, East Anglia in England. My only caveat is that, not being an expert on genetics, it is difficult to verify all of his claims.