First Steps

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Blending history, science, and culture, this engaging exploration by an eminent paleoanthropologist examines how bipedalism enabled humans to become the planet's dominant species. Unique among mammals, humans walk on two legs, which has profound implications for our identity and society. We aspire to be upright citizens and celebrate milestones like a child's first steps, yet the journey to bipedalism raises questions about its origins and costs. While upright walking has allowed for significant advancements, it also presents challenges, including complications in childbirth, slower running speeds, and various health issues. The author, Jeremy DeSilva, investigates the extraordinary nature of this everyday ability, tracing a seven-million-year journey to the origins of the human lineage. He argues that bipedalism is a gateway to many human traits, including technological innovation, exploration, and language, as well as compassion, empathy, and altruism. Through a blend of developmental psychology and fossil evidence from Africa and Eurasia, DeSilva vividly narrates our adventure of walking on two legs, shedding light on how this fundamental trait has shaped our evolution and helped us rise above other species.