Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for It's All Relative … then take off on your own:
1. What did you find most surprising in A.J. Jacob's It's All Relative?
2. Talk about some of these issues that Jacobs raises in his book:
♦ Why males seem to dominate family trees;
♦ The impact of American slavery on family history;
♦ The difficulties of working with the Mormon archive;
♦ The reliability of DNA testing as a genealogical tool;
♦ How nonhuman creatures fit into the story of our genealogy;
♦ The Biblical creation story of Adam and Eve as the beginning of the human race;
♦ How Neanderthals and homo sapiens are related.
3. Talk about the issues surrounding privacy when it comes to our personal genetics. How concerned is Jacobs and how deeply does he cover this subject? How concerned are you?
4. What do you find particularly entertaining, even humorous, about Jacob's book. In other words, what made you laugh?
5. Have you initiated your own genealogical search for your family history? If so, what have been your results so far?
6. Have you taken away any particular message after reading It's All Relative? Is there a chance for greater respect among different populations? Or do you sense that tribal identities and strife will win out?
(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)