A concise, illustrated update on our earliest ancestors, the first sapiens—and on how (and when) we distinguished ourselves

Prehistory is changing quickly: Thanks to progress in genetics and dating methods, we now know more than ever about our ancient relatives. A Pocket History of Human Evolution will bring us up to date on the exploits of Homo erectus and ergaster, the Neanderthals, Denisovans, and others. (Hint: There was a lot more crossbreeding than previously supposed.)

These latest discoveries have only spurred more questions. Lauded paleoanthropologist Silvana Condemi and science journalist François Savatier consider: What accelerated Homo sapiens’ evolution—and left us the sole surviving species among many ancient bipedal “humans”? Was it tools, our “large” brain, language, or empathy? Their conclusions are likely to startle (and inspire a new appreciation for the human foot).

Condemi and Savatier also look to the future of our strange species—migratory, social animals with a rapidly expanding population, who have transformed our world forever. By taking stock of our ancestors, we can better understand ourselves.