«The storming success of Yuval Noah Harari's books has inspired many others that aim to span the epic sweep of human history with grand theories and cor-blimey factoids. This book does both. »

The Times, Best Science and Medicine Books of the Year

«Here is the miraculous creature we are: unlikely, poignant, astonishing ... Much to think about. This book gives rise to many such thoughts and is written with merciful clarity.»

Sebastian Barry

«Wonderful ... enlightening.»

Robin Ince

«Richly informed by the latest research, Gaia Vince's colourful survey fizzes like a zip-wire as it tours our species' story from the Big Bang to the coming age of hypercooperation.»

Richard Wrangham, Professor of biological anthropology at Harvard University and author of The Goodn

«An imaginative and inspiring adventure into the origins and evolution of what we hold most dear: our human culture.»

Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development UCL

«This book goes from the Big Bang to the Hundred Thousand Genome Project to make a convincing case that Homo sapiens has become a super-organism. I learned a lot from it and so will you.»

Steve Jones, Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics UCL, author of Almost Like a Whale

«A hugely enjoyable sprint through human evolutionary history . . . Read it.»

Tim Radford, Nature

«Beautifully written . . . At her best Vince takes dizzying leaps, making connections between archaeology, anthropology, genetics and psychology. She is especially good on the delicate interplay between genes, environment and culture. Vince steps with lightness. »

Tom Whipple, The Times