Hrdy has taken one of the final big myths of human evolution – that childcare by men is peripheral or unimportant – and knocked it firmly on its head.

A rare science writer who combines mastery of her field with warm, readable prose.

To a lay reader, some of Hrdy’s examples can be hard to appreciate as anything more than a memorable anecdote. But patterns emerge, as well as a sense that parental roles are less fixed than we might assume.

I turned to it seeking validation and found something much better: the complete destabilization of my concept of paternity.

The reading is so nutrient-rich that you will want to pause, digest, reflect, delight, and then urgently read on.

A mesmerizing, masterfully written book on the transformative power of human parenting..

Outstanding.