This book could be sub-titled "The Story of Animal Life on Earth" as it focuses more on a *scala natura* influenced view of the results of evolution than on the process of evolution itself; it also nearly completely excludes plants from consideration. However, a serious attempt is made to present and explain the evidence for the story of evolution laid out, and copius drawings, diagrams and photographs are presented. Aimed at the educated layperson, it's readable and unburdened with jargon; though, obviously, somewhat out of date, it remains a useful introductory text.