Subtitled “A survey and a celebration of all the creatures that have ever lived” this remarkable book is an attempt to provide an overview of all the living organisms that have evolved during the 4000 million years or so since life began on Earth. This would seem to be impossible in a single volume. Perhaps it is, but the amazing thing is how close the author has come to achieving his aim.

At present we know of about two million species, those which have been discovered and named by biologists, but this is believed to be just the tip of the iceberg. There may well be over 400 million species extant today ranging from bacteria to the primates. We will probably never know just how many other species lived, died, and left no trace of their existence. Only hard parts usually fossilise and geological changes have destroyed many, perhaps most, of these. Four hundred million years is a long time.

To bring order to the apparent chaos of the many different kinds of living creatures it is necessary to classify them. Part 1 of the book is devoted to the craft and science of classification. In this age when molecular biology is regarded as the cutting edge of the life sciences classification is often seen as old-fashioned, a kind of nature study not far removed from stamp collecting. Some molecular biologists may have difficulty in distinguishing a toad from a toadstool and when they can will point out that, at the molecular level at least, the similarities are greater than the differences. They are, of course, correct but the diversity of life, of which this book is indeed a celebration, depends on these differences. However unpopular classification may be at present as an academic discipline it remains the basis of our understanding of the natural world in which we live.

Part 2 is a survey of all living creatures starting with bacteria through fungi, animals, and birds to plants. There are clear classification keys for each group and 550 delightful line illustrations. Our own species, Homo sapiens, is, it seems, a mere 100,000 years old and, in Europe at least, lived side by side with the Neanderthals for about 10,000 years. We survived, they did not, and now we are the only Homo species on Earth. While we may regard mammals (being one) as the most highly evolved form of animal life they are actually older than the birds. Unless, of course, you regard birds as flying dinosaurs, which some biologists do.

Part 3 is a plea for conservation, saving what is left and few, I think, will read this section without agreeing with at least most of Tudge’s arguments. We can, if we choose, cover the land with concrete but our lives would be the poorer. The problem here, of course, is that human reproduction is no longer subject to natural restraints. Unless we defuse the population bomb the future for our descendants is bleak. It is to be hoped that this book will help to alert people to the need to protect and preserve our living heritage.

The book is excellently produced, can be recommended unreservedly to all interested in the life sciences (especially molecular biologists), and is remarkably good value for money. In Chapter One Tudge writes, “It is good to see it finished, but in many ways I am sorry it is over.” Readers may well feel the same.

John Timson