Although there is overlap between the topics of this and other recent books about human evolution, this book is unusual in its focus on the humans who lived in Europe during the last Ice Age (“Cro-Magnons”). Many books about human evolution only take a cursory look at this time and place. Although the author's specialty is the fossil record for human evolution—what can be learned from the fossilized skeletal remains of ancient humans and their close evolutionary relatives—this book weaves in evidence from archaeology, genetics, and paleoclimatology, along with a historical perspective. Another unusual aspect is its collection of vignettes beginning with the preface and interspersed throughout the rest of the book. In these fictional accounts, the reader briefly enters the lives of a handful of individuals as a window into what it would have been like to live in Europe during the last Ice Age.

The book is organized into 12 chapters preceded by a preface and an introduction. The introduction introduces the reader to the author and the relevant fields of study. Chapter 1 comprehensively discusses the site of Cro-Magnon: the source of the name “Cro-Magnon” for the humans whose remains were found there and their contemporaries—within some tens of thousands of years—from Europe. After the stage has been set, the middle chapters (2–7) provide the background necessary to appreciate Cro-Magnons and their place in human evolution. These chapters cover the terms and timeline of Paleolithic archaeology, Neanderthals, paleontological and genetic perspectives on the origins of Homo sapiens, genetic evidence for mating between humans and Neanderthals, and what the archaeological record tells us about changes in the manifestation of and capacity for different human behaviors. The later chapters (8–11) return to Cro-Magnons, considering their interactions with Neanderthals, what can be learned about their biology and diseases from their skeletons, the technology they used for hunting and other activities, what they ate, and their art and the roles it played in their lives. The final chapter is about long-term climate change, the climate of Europe during the Pleistocene, and how humans used technology to survive—and even thrive—in Ice Age Europe.

The text is supplemented by pictures and well-executed figures and tables, including multiple maps, which will be indispensable to readers not familiar with the geographic locations of the archaeological and fossil sites. A notes section for each chapter, a bibliography of the references cited in the notes, and an index are also provided.

Careful scholarship permeates the book, with useful facts and insights even for the specialist. I was, however, somewhat surprised that the origin of Homo sapiens was framed in terms of the “multiregional evolution” and “recent African origin” models that came to prominence in the 1980s. It has been clear for a while now that Homo sapiens originated in Africa and that Neanderthals contributed to the genomes of many contemporary humans. Recent discussions have shifted to questions such as, How and where did Homo sapiens emerge in Africa? Which routes did Homo sapiens use to migrate from Africa into Eurasia? When and where did Homo sapiens encounter and exchange genes with Neanderthals, the enigmatic Denisovans, and perhaps with similarly distantly related groups in Africa? This two-model framing is of historical interest, but it fits uneasily with the ways in which the topic is being discussed currently.

The author's talents as a storyteller and his sense of humor are apparent. He conveys the excitement of researching human evolution and brings to life not just what a location would have been like during the Ice Age but also what it is like to visit there now. Although the book seems to be targeted at any curious nonspecialist reader, and the clear writing makes it an excellent fit for this audience, I could imagine using it for a university course for undergraduate or graduate students—particularly because the notes would allow students to seek out the scientific articles that underpin the topics discussed in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I expect others will too.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in ancient humans.