Seeks to explain why homo sapiens survived while other hominids did not, drawing on recent scientific discoveries and examining the survival value of such factors as premature births, long childhoods, and an extremely social nature. "Tells the intriguing tale of how against all odds and despite nature's brutal and capricious ways we stand here today, the only surviving humans, and the planet's most dominant species"--P. [4] of jacket.

The battle for survival -- The invention of childhood (or, Why it hurts to have a baby) -- Learning machines -- Tangled webs : the moral primate -- The everywhere ape -- Cousin creatures -- Beauties in the beast -- The voice inside your head -- Epilogue: The next human.