TRACES OF LIFE: The Origins of Humankind

A noted science author presents a million years of evolution. Sattler's distinguished Hominids (1988) tells the same story, enhanced by outstanding illustrations. Here, the b&w illustrations are less compelling, but the vivid brief portraits of scientists--along with Lasky's ability to convey information while maintaining a treasure-hunt flavor and a breezy sense of good humor--make this a worthy, readable second point of view. Some teen readers will be pleased to learn that Darwin ""was not a terrific student"" and that when he signed on the Beagle, ""His father had a fit."" Passages that invite readers to imagine life among H. erectus or H. habilis are less successful, and are distinguished from the rest of the text only by type size--which may confuse the browser who doesn't realize that he has stumbled into an imagined past. Powell's illustrations are excellent in showing tools; adequate in comparing skulls, teeth, or pelvic bones; but disappointing in presenting whole body reconstructions. (IF A. Afarensis was distinguished by ""long and curved"" toes, for example, they should be so curved in the illustration.) Notes, bibliography, index.