This text investigates the biological development of the human species through the lens of physical anthropology. Gabriel W. Lasker, a noted scholar in the field, utilizes foundational biological principles and fossil evidence to construct a framework for understanding human variation and evolutionary history. The book argues that human physical characteristics are the result of long-term environmental adaptation and genetic inheritance.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational introductory text for students of mid-20th-century physical anthropology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which reflects the scientific standards of the era in which it was published.