Explore the roots of life and the story of how all creatures are related.
This volume surveys the full tree of life, tracing how one primal group could give rise to the vast diversity of plants and animals we see today. It presents a broad, evidence‑based view of evolution, from single cells to vertebrates, and from ancient seas to the living world around us.
This edition surveys the natural system and the history of life in depth, offering a unified picture of descent, development, and the branches of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. It weaves together fossil findings, embryology, and comparative anatomy to explain how forms change over time and why certain lineages matter in the story of creation.
- Learn how early life forms are connected, from one‑celled organisms to complex animals and flowering plants
- See how features develop in embryos and how this ties different groups together
- Discover major animal and plant lineages, from sponges and worms to insects, birds, and mammals
- Understand how scientists think about kinship, ancestry, and the grand history of life
Ideal for readers of natural history who want a sweeping, era‑spanning look at how life emerged and diversified, and how modern science understands its origins.