Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas
Read the untold story—and fascinating mystery—of how humans migrated to the Americas from celebrated anthropologist Jennifer Raff.
Welcome to the SciFri Book Club page about Jennifer Raff’s Origin. There’s lots of ways to participate: Read the book, join our community space, attend an event, read an excerpt, sign up for our email newsletter, or send us a message via our contact page.
This February, the SciFri Book Club is reading Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas by Jennifer Raff. 20,000 years ago, people crossed a land bridge from Siberia into Western Alaska and then dispersed southward into what is now called the Americas. No written records—and scant archaeological evidence—exist to tell us what happened or how it took place. Although many different models have been proposed to explain how the Americas were peopled, Origin tells the story based on a new and powerful kind of evidence: their complete genomes. The book provides an overview of what genetic evidence shows about the peopling of the Americas, and a glimpse into how these tools reveal details about human history and evolution.
Origin brings together a range of topics, including archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, history, genetics, and more—and we’ll touch on these ideas throughout this Book Club season. You can get your copy from your local bookstore or on Bookshop.org.
This Book Club season kicks off Saturday, February 1, and you can read along with us! We’ll be (loosely) following this schedule, but all our readers are welcome to join us at their own pace:
- February 1-9: Chapters 1-3
- February 10-16: Chapters 4-5
- February 17-23: Chapters 6-9
- February 24-28: Final thoughts
Plus, we’ll be hosting events throughout the month! Keep an eye out on our website or join our Events newsletter to be the first to know.
There are so many ways to dive in and participate! You can grab a copy of the book (and support the author and SciFri), join the discussion in our online Book Club community, sign up for our email newsletter, or RSVP for our upcoming Book Club events. Check out all the details below.
Grab Your Own Copy
If you’d like to purchase a physical copy, we encourage you to start local! Check out the SciFri Book Club partner bookstores and libraries—if you’re in the area, consider supporting your local bookseller or public library (plus, mention our Book Club for a percentage off your purchase at participating shops!).
Want more ways to read? This book is available in a few formats via online retailers, your local library, or elsewhere:
Your local library may not currently have Origin in its catalog, but many branches offer ways for patrons like you to submit book suggestions to librarians. Look for ways to suggest new titles via the Libby or OverDrive app, a form submission on your library’s website, or a suggestion box at your local branch!
Save The Date(s): SciFri Book Club Events
Origin: Livestream and Q&A with Jennifer Raff
Join geneticist and anthropologist Jennifer Raff for a conversation about her 2022 book. Discover how scientists are weaving genetic evidence, archaeological findings, and Indigenous knowledge to reshape our understanding of human origins.
Join us online for a livestream all about the science topics featured in the SciFri Book Club pick for February 2025. Come with your queries and wonderings—we’ll be taking your questions in the livestream comments!
SciFri Book Club February community meeting: Origin
Want to meet other SciFri Book Club members, talk about the book selection, and find more resources for deeper learning—all without leaving your home? Our community meeting is the place for you!
This discussion meeting will focus on themes and topics featured in Origin. You’re welcome to join us no matter your reading progress—come chat with other science-interested folks about archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, history, genetics, and more.
Read An Excerpt
Not sure this is the book for you? Want to read an excerpt before you commit? We’ve got you covered.
Grand Central Publishing, publisher of Origins by Jennifer Raff, has offered SciFri Book Clubbers an excerpt of the book! You can read this sample on our website.
Join Our Community Space
And as you start reading, join us on our online community space: the SciFri Book Club is on Mighty Networks, a platform where we can gather, read and discuss science books together. We’ve built this community space to create a better way for readers to stay connected with other Book Clubbers, and we hope you’ll join us there!
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe to SciFri Book Club emails to stay updated on our monthly read sand join us for community discussions. We’ll send emails a few times per week.