Attempt to provide a unifying theory of animal evolution, of which humans are the latest end product. From the preface: `I postulate that as a reflection and consequence of the evolution in our cosmic corner, there has been an evolution of living matter to ever higher degrees of complexity. The animals are both drivers of this process and the implicit gainers of it. As the volume, the complexity, and the efficiency of our biosphere has increased, animal agents have reacher higher up on the slope of more active and keener behavior....Biospheric evolution achieved through the activity of animals and the appearance of the human species is animal evolution achieved.'