Gibbons, Anne. The first human; the race to discover our earliest ancestors.

GIBBONS, Anne. The first human; the race to discover our earliest ancestors. Random House, Anchor. 303p. illus, maps. bibliog. notes, index, c2006. 978-1-4000-7696-3. $14.95. JSA 

Gibbons provides a detailed account of the long hunt for our earliest ancestors The book outlines a clear history of every expedition and discovery that led to finding the oldest fossils. Gibbons mainly focuses on the paths of four teams, competing fiercely and passionately. The cast of unique characters is introduced slowly and the hunt plays out as a race, which makes for an excellent story.

The book is well researched and incredibly informative. No need to already be an expert on the topic or an avid enthusiast--Gibbons makes it accessible and interesting enough for any reader. For those already interested in paleontology or anthropology, this book is a perfect companion. For those new to the field, expect to learn a lot about fossils and the history of humans. A bit slow paced, but this could be an excellent resource for this topic, Joanna Solomon, W. Newton, MA

J--Recommended for junior high students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.