This book investigates the evolutionary origins of human mating systems by applying the principles of sexual selection to comparative primate and mammalian data. Alan F. Dixson, a specialist in reproductive biology and primatology, synthesizes diverse research streams to reconstruct the development of human sexual behavior. By integrating findings from paleontology, behavioral biology, and evolutionary psychology, the author constructs a framework for understanding how sexual attractiveness and mate choice have shaped human evolution over time.

Experts recognize this work as a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary synthesis that bridges the gap between biological anthropology and evolutionary psychology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for those studying the intersection of human evolution and reproductive behavior.