Mammal in the Mirror

This text is an accessible overview of how the natural world works, seen in the context of how we - humans - fit into it. It begins with the micro issues, a close-up of DNA, genes, viruses and cells, and then moves out to explore the larger systems of human biology: sex and reproduction, the brain and behaviour, and energy. Finally, we stand back and take a look at the species Homo sapiens from the viewpoints of ecology, evolution and sociobiology. The result is a portrayal of mankind that enables readers with an interest, rather than a background, in science to become bioliterate and able to understand the discoveries that make headlines in the news.