Quarto Publishing ISBN:9781786038869 £12.99
What a great idea – to put evolution into context and follow the journey from primate fossils to Homo Sapiens. No stone unturned, so to speak, and brilliantly brought to life by vivid illustrations all closely based on fossilised remains. Every branch of evolution, from Purgatorius, a small rat-like animal that lived around 66 million years ago, to modern humans and, who knows, robotic life in the future is featured. I’m quite sure that teachers will find this book fascinating.
Unfortunately, for me such an approach has its limitations too. There are small bits of information about everything – walking on two legs; the first use of fire; – but too often I found myself wanting to know more about the key changes on the road to Homo Sapiens. By covering every branch of evolution in some ways there is too much information, and in others not enough. A shame really, because this is thoroughly researched, well presented, with the story of evolution clearly followed. However, I would have preferred more detail on the most important steps along the road.
Alf Wilkinson