Good synopsis info from the Smithsonian's web page on Human Origins:
on neanderthals (whether they are homo neanderthalensis or homo sapiens neanderthalensis)
http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/neand.htm
and on homo sapiens:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/sap.htm
It is important to remember that neanderthals were not hulking brutes (one of the first skeletons found was from an individual who actually was later found to have been crippled with arthritis or rickets, the bone deformations were as a result of that). Their brains were comparatively larger than ours (as my Physical Anth teacher was fond of reminding us). Some of the differences in their body structure were due to adaptation to cold weather and harsh conditions. They apparently buried their dead in graves and left offerings.
I'm so excited - this fall I'm starting a graduate degree at the university where the guy who discovered "Lucy" teaches!