Humans are the only mammals that walk on two legs instead of four. From an evolutionary perspective, this seems rather irrational, as it makes them move more slowly. Moreover, it subjects them to various ailments, such as hernias, varicose veins, or back pains. And yet, humans are still here. Therefore, bipedalism must ultimately provide them with some significant advantage.

The First Steps, awarded the W.W. Howells Book Prize by the American Anthropological Association and named one of the best scientific books of 2021 by Science News, is an exciting narrative that takes us back in time, revealing the origins of upright walking. Based on studies conducted over decades, whether in sites where fossils have been discovered or in scientific laboratories, Jeremy DeSilva brings to life the journey of humankind toward the mastery of bipedalism. In a remarkably vivid manner, he presents how bipedalism was actually a “bridge” to acquiring other traits that solidified our human existence—from the development of technological skills to our thirst for exploration and the use of language.

DeSilva uses a wealth of anatomical and evolutionary data to describe what drives a crawling infant to stand on two feet; the differences in how men and women walk; the costs associated with upright walking, as well as the risks during childbirth. He argues that bipedalism likely laid the groundwork for the empathy, compassion, and altruism that characterize our species—traits that have helped us dominate the Earth and become one of the most remarkable yet dangerous species on the planet.