Other examples of the power of preconception come from current chimp studies. As writer Douglas Adams penetratingly observed aphorisms, are things we don't know we are making. Stanford wisely uses examples such as these to test his interpretation of events, which introduces a feeling of intellectual rigour. Occasionally there are logical stumbles missed by both author and editor. However, these are minor glitches in what is both a brave academic endeavour and a fine piece of popular science writing.
Chimps eat the small monkeys they capture.
With chapters on behavioural ecology, natural history and taphonomy, keeping company with the anthropology and palaeontology, Stanford's book summarises a huge body of evidence in a pleasing, coherent and non-polemic way. It is a rational piece of provocation from a scientist who clearly believes that there is something good at the core of a much-maligned theory.