The Ancestor's Tale

The Ancestor's Tale is an intimidatingly large book at first glance, but I found it well worth the read. I'd recommend it before The Selfish Gene just because, despite the size, to me the progression from chapter to chapter really kept my attention.

I would add that I think Dawkin's best work is The Ancestor's Tale. Even if you have no interest in biology that book is still worth a read.

The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins... this book starts at human-bonobo-chimpanzee split and goes backward into a LOT of evolutionary history, including scientific discoveries and different branches of the evolutionary tree.

Guns, Germs and Steel http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/03... (http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393317552) Life of Pi http://www.amazon.com/Life-Pi-Yann-Martel/dp/0156027321 Billions and Billions http://www.amazon.com/Billions-Thoughts-Death-Brink-Millenni... (http://www.amazon.com/Billions-Thoughts-Death-Brink-Millennium/dp/0345379187) The Ancestor's Tale http://www.amazon.com/Ancestors-Tale-Pilgrimage-Dawn-Evoluti... (http://www.amazon.com/Ancestors-Tale-Pilgrimage-Dawn-Evolution/dp/061861916X) Sorry for suggesting so many, I couldn't help myself