The Ancestor's Tale

The book takes readers on a journey backward through time, tracing human ancestry all the way to the origins of life. Inspired by The Canterbury Tales, Dawkins structures the book as a "pilgrimage," where different species join humans at various points in evolutionary history, converging at shared ancestors.

The book introduces the concept of "concestors"—the last common ancestors that different species share. It covers 40 rendezvous points, starting with our closest relatives, like chimpanzees, and moving back through mammals, reptiles, fish, and even bacteria. Along the way, Dawkins explains key evolutionary concepts such as genetic drift, natural selection, and speciation, making complex ideas accessible to readers.

Ultimately, The Ancestor's Tale highlights the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, showing how every living organism shares a common origin