Body-build and its inheritance

In this pioneering exploration of human physique, the author draws on a wealth of data collected from thousands of young men examined during wartime service and from the extensive records of the Eugenics Register. By blending meticulous measurements of height, weight, chest‑girth and other indices with detailed family histories, the work asks whether the striking differences in body‑build can be traced to genetics rather than merely to diet or activity. The early chapters introduce the terminology of “build,” outline how it changes from infancy to adulthood, and compare variations across sex, race and geography, setting a clear framework for the investigations that follow.

The heart of the study presents large‑scale statistical analyses and a series of family case studies that examine how slender or fleshy traits are passed from parents to children. Readers encounter vivid descriptions of specific matings, patterns of regression toward average size, and the influence of disease on physical form. Throughout, the narrative balances scientific rigor with accessible explanations, inviting listeners to consider how heredity shapes the bodies we inherit.