At first, the Earth was an inhospitable, alien place: the planet was constantly bombarded with chemicals, it was covered with seething oceans, and the landscape was shaped by incessant volcanic eruptions. In the midst of this riot of elements and disasters, life began. The first cells, resembling soap bubbles, challenged the lifeless world with daring courage. Life on our planet has survived for thousands of years, adapting to any conditions that living organisms might encounter, and flourishing from the earliest humble forms to the exciting and incredible history of our own species. In this book, thanks to the infectious With the enthusiasm and scientific precision of the author, a renowned English paleontologist and specialist in evolutionary biology, the last 4.6 billion years are rapidly flashing before us. Drawing on the latest scientific evidence, Henry Gee tells a clear and accessible tale of survival and resilience that sheds light on the delicate balance in which life has always existed. "An entertaining, lyrical story." (Nature)