"Guthrie, professor emeritus of zoology at the University of Alaska, is not the typical art historian, and this is not a typical art history book. Guthrie brings his expertise in zoology, paleontology and modern hunting to the study of cave paintings and other preserved remnants of our Paleolithic ancestors, proposing a revolutionary rethinking of how our ancestors lived.. . . This immensely thought-provoking book will challenge readers' preconceptions about the origin of art and the provenance of our family and social structures."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
— Publishers Weekly
"A fascinating and compulsive read in which Guthrie harnesses a gamut of anthropological data and rock-art images. Despite this, it is a controversial book."
— Nadia Durrani, Times Higher Education Supplement
"[The book] provides a great number of interesting insights into the nature and behaviour of the species depicted, including humans, and is undeniably thought-provoking and challenging."
— Paul G. Bahn, Nature
“The Nature of Paleolithic Art will appeal to anyone with a strong interest in the world of the Late Pleistocene, as seen through the eyes of those who were there."
— Fossil News
"Guthrie offers numerous provocative hypotheses about the makers of art and its place within the context of Palaeolithic daily life. Proponents of shamanism will likely find much of this monograph incendiary. . . . For all readers, his approachable style makes the book highly readable and at times witty. As the culmination of several decades of work, Guthrie's monograph provides a much needed, original perspective on the 'nature' of Paleolithic art."
— Rebecca A. Farbstein, Archaeological Review from Cambridge
"An extremely interesting and generally easily readable text. . . . In breaking away from more conventional magico-religious interpretations of Paleolithic imagery, [Guthrie] presents an intriguing vision of our distant ancestors and especially of the role played by a hunting lifestyle in providing the spark that ignited mankind's imagination and released his inherent creativity."
— Danny A. Brass, NSS News
"[The book] offers readers fascinating informaiton about and challenging interpretations of Paleolithic art. This book is a good read--Guthrie is an excellent writer--and is based on meticulous scholarship presented in a lively and engaging way."
— Aldona Jonaitis, Quarterly Review of Biology