Shubin shows himself to be a natural storyteller and a gifted scientific communicator.

... exhilarating.

In the end, the genetic constructions of all creatures are variations on a theme; we are all related. An engaging, must-read for anyone with an interest in evolution..

Making complex scientific ideas both accessible to and enjoyable for the general public is a rare skill, but one that Shubin has mastered in his eloquent survey.

A welcome new exploration of the evolution of human and animal life on Earth.