The essential statement , by the world's leading authority on the subject, of the thesis that modern humans originated in Africa and spread around the world; and a definitive defence of our common humanity, spiking racist accounts of our origins.

The theory of an African genesis for modern humanity is one of the most controversial in science. It is based on a revolution in the history and anthropology of early humans, and in this fundamentally important book the theory's most forceful advocate - Dr Chris Stringer of London's Natural History Museum - explains with Robin McKie, the evidence for his new view of our species origins. 'The origin of modern humans is the hot topic in human prehistory. . . . African Exodus clarifies the main issues and puts the debate into historical context. . . . Stringer and McKie have forged a superb book that skilfully melds personal experience and an unfolding scientific drama. It makes compelling reading. ' ROGER LEWIN NEW SCIENTIST